Romeo and Juliet were doomed from the start, not by fate, but by their own personalities. Discuss

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Romeo and Juliet were doomed from the start, not by fate, but by their own personalities. Discuss

Romeo and Juliet is a play typically associated with fate, fate brings the two lovers together and eventually tears them apart. However, it is possible that fate was not a factor in the outcome of their story, but instead it was their own self-destructive personalities that lead to their deaths.

The first time we meet Romeo, he is in misery after being turned down by Rosaline. However, after meeting Juliet, Romeo is melancholy and cheerful. It is possible that Romeo is so happy at having his feelings returned, he does not consider the consequences of falling in love with a Capulet. In the same way, Juliet is so happy that she has a way out of marrying Paris, she does not give careful consideration to the trouble her relationship could bring. If either of the two characters had thought carefully about their relationship, the problems it could cause between the opposing families or the hurt it would cause their friends and parent, they may have reconsidered the marriage. This would have prevented the deaths of the two lovers and those close to them. When the two characters meet, they are aged between 13-14 years old, and it is therefore unsurprising that their attitudes towards relationships are fairly immature. Paris appears to be offering Juliet the perfect life, a hansom husband and an elaborate family wedding. Romeo can only offer her a rushed wedding and secret relationship, and is understandably jealous of Paris. Romeo’s jealously is best demonstrated when he finally kills Paris outside the Capulet’s tomb. Romeo is anxious to enter the tomb and quickly kills Paris when he attempts to stop him, ‘wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!’ 5,3,70. If Romeo’s jealousy had not gotten the better of him, he may have spent more time outside the tomb and may not have killed himself before Juliet awoke. Juliet’s age and inexperience is shown when Juliet proposes their marriage. At first Juliet is worried about the speed at which the relationship is moving ‘It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden’ 2,2,118, however, she quickly proposes marriage ‘If that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage’ 2,2,143, perhaps because she becomes insecure. Juliet’s rush to get married shows immaturity. If she had given it more consideration, she may have changed her mind and the lovers deaths may have never come around.

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Romeo and Juliet are also similar in their inability to communicate with their parents. After being turned down by Rosaline, Romeo avoids his parents and ‘locks fair daylight out’ 1,1,130. Romeo also feels unable to talk to his parents after meeting Juliet. This trait is mirrored in Juliet when she does not speak to her parents concerning her uncertainty over the arranged marriage, ‘I’ll look to like, if looking liking move’ 1,3,98.  Juliet also feels unable to talk to her parents about Romeo. If Romeo and Juliet had spoken to their parents about their newfound love, two outcomes may have ...

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