What techniques does Shakespeare use to create a sense of inevitability in Romeo and Juliet and how does this effect the audience?

GCSE English

Salome Neequaye Shakespeare Coursework Miss Bergin

What techniques does Shakespeare use to create a sense of inevitability in Romeo and Juliet and how

does this effect the audience?

Shakespeare is known as one of the greatest playwrights known to man. The exact date of his birth is

unknown but we know he was christened on Wednesday the 26th of April 1564 which in his era, was a

few days after birth. In London he joined a theatre company and became an actor. His career as a

writer began with him writing parts of the play he was acting in. As he became better at writing his

work became more widely known. In London he became part of the Chamberlains company of player

from 1594. This is when he had began to write the plays Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s

Dream and Richard II. As years went by, more and more plays were written. When he died on the 16th

of April 1616 he had written over 50 plays, sonnets and poems.

The play Romeo and Juliet is classed as a tragedy, however some have thought it more closely

resembles Shakespeare’s comedies than other tragedies. In general, the genre tragedy is an effort to

exemplify the sense that human beings are inevitably doomed, through their own failures or errors or

through the ironic action of their morality. What is more, it could be through the nature of fate or

destiny or the human condition to suffer, fail or even face death. The measure of a character’s life is to

be taken by how he or she faces the inevitable future. In dramas, the genre tragedy recounts a casually

related period of events in the life of a person or persons, climaxing in an unhappy catastrophe.

Romeo and Juliet is about two teenage children from warring families who fall in love. Convinced that

their families will never allow their marriage, the two ‘star-cross’d’ lovers attempt to conceal their

affair. When the families learn of their affair and a murder results, Romeo is banished from the city.

The lovers develop a wild scheme to fake death and elope.

Romeo and Juliet is an adaptation, as it was based on another drama. The story goes back to Greek

mythology. It is the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe. In this ancient story, Pyramus and Thisbe fall in

love, but their love is prohibited. They run away, but Pyramus thinks Thisbe has been killed by a lion

and so stabs himself in despair. When Thisbe discovers him, she also kills herself. A number of writers

over the centuries adapted the story. The version Shakespeare was probably most familiar with was a

poem by Arthur Brooke written about 30 years before Shakespeare wrote his play. Shakespeare based

his play on a poem, “Romeus and Juliet” by Arthur Brooke, but he made a lot of changes. Brooke’s

version takes place over 9 months; Shakespeare’s takes place in just 5 days. Juliet is 18 or 16 years old

in the other versions whereas in Shakespeare’s she is just 13. The two most interesting characters,

Mercutio and the nurse, are not present in Brooke’s version.

Inevitability is the occurrence of something that can not be avoided or prevented. The critic Bertrand

Evans comments that “Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy of unawareness.” Inevitability works out its

purpose without the use of a human villain or some supernatural agent, sent to intervene in mortal

affairs, in this case Romeo’s and Juliet’s. It does this without the two lovers or other characters

knowing. The characters who participate in the play, either significantly or insignificantly, contribute

to the series of event that make the pattern, unaware of the situation. They do not know the truth of

the matter, however, the truth is known to the audience.

There are many dramatic techniques Shakespeare used to create a sense of inevitability in Romeo and

Juliet. Firstly, he uses the prologue to set the scene of the play as well as the themes that are included

in it. Secondly, he use the themes of fate and fortune to relate to the sense that the characters have no

control over their actions. Next, he compresses the timeframe of Romeo and Juliet to compare to the

speed they are travelling on their predestined course. Finally, he uses the roles of the chorus and the

Prince to communicate with the audience and to move the plot along.

The prologue in Romeo and Juliet is set out in the form of a sonnet, a love poem containing 14 lines.

The chorus, a group of people, perform this at the beginning of the play. Its purpose is to introduce

the main themes of the play as well as the tragedy of the two leading roles, Romeo and Juliet. It tells

us who is involved and that there is a great deal of hatred between them. It tells that Romeo and Juliet

will die however, the audience does not know how. In effect the prologue gives the end before the

beginning, the use of dramatic irony being used for the audience. Their love for each other is seen as

‘death-mark’d’ and ‘star-cross’d’ bringing the themes of fate and fortune into the play. The result of

this is that it introduces the power fate and fortune have over the characters in Romeo and Juliet. It

also creates ...

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us who is involved and that there is a great deal of hatred between them. It tells that Romeo and Juliet

will die however, the audience does not know how. In effect the prologue gives the end before the

beginning, the use of dramatic irony being used for the audience. Their love for each other is seen as

‘death-mark’d’ and ‘star-cross’d’ bringing the themes of fate and fortune into the play. The result of

this is that it introduces the power fate and fortune have over the characters in Romeo and Juliet. It

also creates suspense throughout the length of the play, making the audience wonder if the two lovers

will escape their destiny. The prologue also focuses on the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet rather than the

love they each other and others. Evidence of this are the words ‘The fearful passage’ ‘Parents’ strife’

and ‘fatal loins’ prove Romeo and Juliet ends in sadness rather than an outlook of love. The prologue

also lets the audience to feel a great pathos for the characters before the play begins. It also places the

burden that the audience have the role of complicit observers, knowing the fate of Romeo and Juliet

before their eyes are open to it. The audience are unable to do anything but watch.

The themes fate and fortune would have different effects on a Elizabethan audience and a modern

audience. In the time Romeo and Juliet was written for, the audience would have found it strange if

the characters had no awareness of the powers of fate and the stars as faith in destiny and luck was

typical in the Renaissance age. For a modern audience, the theme of fate could have a different effect.

Many people today do not like the fact that they are not in control of how they live their lives. Others

could see it as common as many believe in tarot cards, crystal balls and palmistry.

A definition of fate is that it is the ‘predetermined course of events considered to be beyond human

control.’ Fate and fortune play major parts in Romeo and Juliet as the characters believe that the stars

determine what happens to their lives. There are many examples of this in Romeo and Juliet. Fate’s

impact on Romeo and Juliet is made clear from the prologue. This is when it states Romeo and Juliet

are ‘star-cross’d lovers’ and that their love for each other is ‘death mark’d’. This shows it is hindered

by the influence of malignant planets. Astrologers in the Renaissance period used the planets to

predict the plagues and calamities of certain people. It is as if destiny has already placed on its cards

for them to be together, to the very death. In addition, these two quotes give the effect of dramatic

irony, as the audience now know something before the characters do. Another example of fate is when

Friar Laurence finds that his plan has failed. He says:

A greater power than we can contradict

Hath thwarted our intents

(Act five scene three)

Friar Laurence feels that he has no control over what the stars decide and that there was nothing

anyone could have done to change what had occurred. A final example of fate being refered to by the

characters is when Romeo told his friends of a dream he had when they were going to the Capulet’s

ball:

Some consequence yet hanging in the stars,

shall bitterly begin his fearful date.

(Act one scene four)

This final quote suggests the power of the stars. Romeo feels that something is set to happen at the ball

to him if he goes there. However, he does not know what.

All of these examples alternatively contribute to the plot. The parts from the prologue set out the

scene of the play for the audience as an introduction of what the themes are in Romeo and Juliet as

well as giving them the role of the complicit observer, knowing what is to come but having no control

to be able to stop it. It informs the audience that whatever happens to Romeo and Juliet in the play

was already set out for them long before it happened. The second quote relates to the part of the

prologue where it says that Romeo and Juliet are ‘death mark’d. What the prologue tells us of Romeo

and Juliet’s predestination is related to when Friar Laurence explains that a higher power has blocked

his path. It also makes the audience ask if there is a fate for Friar Laurence after all has ended. The

final quote is ironic to the audience as the prologue already states that Romeo will meet Juliet by the

power of the stars. This also moves the plot along as the audience have clues to what will happen

next. On the other hand, Romeo still has no control over his actions.

Chance is also in close relation to fate and the order of events in Romeo and Juliet. The definition of

chance is an ‘unexpected happening’. In act one scene two, Romeo meets the clown in market place,

which in turn results in him meeting Juliet. The reason Romeo thinks about going is to see Rosaline,

the girl he was in love with at the beginning of Romeo and Juliet. However, he doesn’t know he’ll be

meeting Juliet. This scene is also a very important scene for the progression of the plot as Romeo

would have never have met Juliet if he did not go to the Capulet’s ball. Another example of chance in

Romeo and Juliet is when the Capulets and Montagues happen to be in the market place at the same

time in act one scene one which leads to them having a quarrel. This quarrel makes the hate between

the two families grow and make them want to repeatedly fight each other until one family reign is

dominant over another. This also contributes to the plot and refers to the fourth and fifth lines of the

prologue:

From ancient grudge, break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean:

(Prologue lines four and five)

The quarrel lets the audience know that the two families can’t be near each other without arguing or

fighting. Also, it contributes to how the love between Romeo and Juliet ends. A final example of

chance in Romeo and Juliet is when Friar John is unable to deliver the letter to Romeo as a result of

being placed in quarantine. This effects Romeo as well as Juliet because he has no idea of Friar

Laurence and Juliet’s plan which now turns around the course of events that were supposed to occur

from the characters perspective. This doesn’t really change the plot as the audience already know this

was to happen.

All of these examples of chance refer to the prologue. In lines five and six of the prologue it reads:

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

A pair of star-cross’d lovers, take their life:

(Prologue lines five and six)

This part tells us that by the two families accidentally meeting and turning to fight, this results in

Romeo and Juliet losing their lives to the power of the stars. When Friar John cannot deliver the letter

to Romeo it refers back to the prologue and Romeo and Juliet being ‘star-cross’d’.

Even though fate and chance seem to be main themes in Romeo and Juliet, decisions aren’t always left

to them. some of the characters often make choices which effect the final outcome. One of these

examples of choice is when Capulet allows Romeo to stay at his room. This effects the course of

Romeo and Juliet meeting each other since they would never have meet if Capulet ordered Romeo out

from his ball. Another example of choice and the effects it has is when the nurse keeps the wedding a

secret from everyone. This choice is very important because if the nurse hadn’t kept it a secret their

marriage would have been torn apart and Juliet would have been forced to marry Paris. The feud

between the two families would have multiplied as each would blame the other resulting in more

death. A final example of choice in Romeo and Juliet is when Mercutio challenges Tybalt when Romeo

refuses, which ends in both his and Tybalt’s death, and, in turn, the banishment of Romeo. If Mercutio

had left Tybalt alone he wouldn’t have died and Romeo would not have been banished. Romeo and

Juliet would have still been able to be together even though they would have to of had a secret

relationship. On the other hand, if it was the power of fate for Romeo and Juliet to be together, these

choices wouldn’t have made any difference as fate would have made things happen differently for

them to die together.

Chance also relates back to the prologue. Romeo and Juliet, as well as the other characters, feel that

their choices can change what happens however, this isn’t possible. In lines ten and eleven of the

prologue it reads:

And the continuance of their parents’ rage:

Which but their children’s end nought could remove:

(Prologue lines ten and eleven)

This relates back to where Friar Laurence thinks that marrying Romeo and Juliet will bring the two

feuding families together but the audience know from the prologue that this is not be.

All of the themes: fate, chance and choice show that unavoidable events and inevitability have a very

large part in Romeo and Juliet. No matter what choices the characters make, they will not be able to

prevent the outcome of Romeo and Juliet. In the period that Romeo and Juliet was set, the

Renaissance, a believe in destiny and the stars was of common nature. The characters in the play talk a

lot of fortune and the stars. Romeo says before he kills himself ‘Then I defy you stars’ in act five scene

1. In act three he calls himself ‘fortune’s fool’. Friar Laurence feels Romeo is ‘wedded to calamity’ in

act three scene three. Juliet calls out in act three scene five ‘O Fortune, Fortune!’ . Before the Capulet’s

ball Romeo says ‘ …, yet hanging in the stars.’ All of these examples show that the stars have much

control over what is predestined to occur.

Time in Romeo and Juliet is very important and is referred to many times in the play. The play is set

over a five day time span. The length of the play could refer to the age of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo

was roughly about sixteen years of age while Juliet was relatively younger, around fourteen or fifteen.

Love between two people that age can be seen as immature and artificial so a timespan longer than

five day could be more appropriate for an older couple whose love would obviously be more mature

and heart -felt. If Romeo and Juliet was set over a much longer time span the tragedy and inevitability

would not have the same effect. What is more is that someone’s fate when it comes to love does not

last over a period of time. Because of the shortened time span, the play greatly increases tension and

allows the themes of fate and fortune to take their hold on Romeo and Juliet. The play spans at a

breakneck speed over four days, slowing down on the doomed Thursday. The flying four days allow

mistakes to take place which affects the development of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. The

important message of Juliet’s ‘death’ not being delivered to Romeo is one of these mistakes. This leads

to and important event in the plot, Romeo’s death. The condensed timespan allows the characters in

the play to act on their spontaneous urges, thus moving along the plot which is set on its ‘death-

mark’d’ course.

Romeo and Juliet has only one central plot, that being the love between the two main characters.

Because of this, there is no time for subplots, for example we do not know the basis of the feud, as

everything is interlocked to the key relationship of Romeo and Juliet. If the play was lengthened to

over a period of months it would not relate to the theme of fate as the lovers seem launched on a pre-

destined course which they can never veer away from. Also, there would be more time to resolve

conflicts and crises.

Time is also referred to in Romeo and Juliet. Earlier in the play Romeo is clearly aware of the passing

of time as he longs for Rosaline: ‘sad hours seem long’ (Act one scene one). Mercutio speaks of ‘wasted

time’ which in effect starts to speed up the movement in time. In act two scene two, Juliet cautions the

love between herself and Romeo:

It is too rash, too unadvis’d, too sudden,

Too like the lightning which doth cease to be,

(Act two scene two)

Romeo also refers to lightning in act five scene three:

A lightning before death: O how may I

Call this a lightning! O my Love, my wife,

(Act five scene three)

In act two scene six, Friar Laurence refers to gunpowder in his speech to Romeo:

These violent delights have violent

ends,

And in their triumph die like fire and powder:

(Act two scene six)

The time the average interval between successive lightning strokes is 0.02 sec and the average flash

lasts 0.25 sec. Because the duration of one powerful stroke is no more than 0.0002 sec, the intervals

between strokes account for most of the duration of a lightning "flash." This is true of Romeo and

Juliet’s relationship. It quick and brief, lasting only ‘seconds’ at a time. What is also said of lighting is

that it doesn’t strike in the same place twice which is also like Romeo and Juliet’s love. It can only

occur once and never again. Friar Laurence’s comment of gunpowder relates to the love between

Romeo and Juliet. When gunpowder is on its own it is useless. However, when fire or even a slight

spark is added it becomes a huge destructive explosion. Romeo could be seen as the gunpowder and

Juliet is the fire. When they come together nothing but brief destructive end can come from them.

The roles of the chorus and of the Prince are similar to a Greek chorus as they both do the following:

they offer a summary of what has happened so far, they comment on the characters within the play

and they explain the lessons to be learned. In Romeo and Juliet the chorus appears at the beginning of

acts one and two. There purpose is to set the scene of the play and to transmit information to the

audience. The sonnet form is used to present this information to the audience. They chorus also

comments on the characters for example Romeo’s changing heart, the feud the two families have and

the tragic end of the ‘death-mark’d’ lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The Prince has the same type of role, to

move the plot along. He is always too late to react to their feuds, his only weapon is to react by speech

and warning. His first speech is in act one scene one after the two families fight. He provides

information about the past;

Three civil brawls bred of an airy word,

By thee old Capulet and Montague,

Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets,

(Act one scene one)

he moves the plot along, from fighting to Romeo talking about love and finally about the future and

what will happen if they trouble the streets again:

If ever you disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

(Act one scene one)

Even though he threatens the two warring families with death as their next punishment, he has

Romeo banished after Mercutio and Tybalt are killed, feeling enough blood has fallen, which reneges

on his promise in act one. This is a pivotal speech as everything starts to go wrong from there.

Although the Prince feels he is giving a kind gesture to Romeo, it is rather paradoxical as Romeo now

cannot be with Juliet. Furthermore, this acts as a catalyst, speeding the plot up to the ending climax of

the lover’s ruin. The Prince’s final speeches are in act five scene three. Here, he provides the final

moral judgement and tells the two families that it is because of their hate that Romeo and Juliet are

dead and so many others have died:

Where be these enemies? Capulet, Montague?

See what a scourge is laid upon your hate!

That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love,

And I for winking at your discords too,

Have lost a brace of a kinsmen: all are punish’d.

(Act five scene three)

He tells the two families that it is because of their hate that Romeo and Juliet are dead and so many

others have died. He adds that Romeo and Juliet’s death is their punishment for all the hate that have

risen from their families. In addition, this refers back to what Mercutio says at the beginning of act

three scene one before he finally dies:

Or I shall faint, a plague a’ both your houses,

They have made worms meat of me,

I have it, and soundly, to your houses.

(Act three scene one)

In conclusion Shakespeare has used many dramatic techniques effectively to create a sense of

inevitability in Romeo and Juliet. He has used the prologue as an introduction to the themes of fate,

fortune, love and violence as well as the central theme, that being of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.

Inevitability is placed in front of the watching audience as they know the what will happen before the

characters do. The prologue also heightens the tension as Romeo and Juliet starts to build to its climax.

It raises the audience’s expectations of what the themes are of the play. The prologue also acts as a

catalyst, the start of speeding up the plot and the events to occur in it. The themes of fate and fortune

also contribute to creating a sense of inevitability in the play. The characters constantly refer to fate

and appear to believe entirely on the power of the stars. Even though the characters feel that the

mistakes they makes are due to their own reasoning, they have no control of the things they do or the

mistakes they make as the stars have already predetermined what they do. The theme of time is

another technique used. This relates to the theme of fate. As it is compressed, there is no time for

characters to think about their mistakes or actions, neither is their time to look back on their actions.

As this theme relates to fate and inevitability, they are zooming along on their predestined course,

which is something they cannot avoid or prevent. A final dramatic technique Shakespeare used to

create a sense of inevitability was that of the chorus and the Prince. The chorus set the scene of Romeo

and Juliet and present to the audience the themes the play contains as well as the predestined course

Romeo and Juliet are bound to. They also pass on knowledge of Romeo’s change in admiration of two

women, Rosaline to Juliet. The Prince is used as a dramatic device to move the plot along. He can be

seen as paradoxical, as he contradicts he warning of death at the beginning of the play to banishing

Romeo when he murders Tybalt. This acts as a catalyst which speeds up the plot to drive it to its

predetermined dooming end. So in brief, by use of the prologue, the themes of fate and fortune, the

theme of time, and the use of the chorus and the Prince, Shakespeare was able to create a sense of

inevitability in Romeo and Juliet.

What techniques does Shakespeare use to create a sense of inevitability in Romeo and Juliet and how does this effect the audience?

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