Romeo and Juliet as a tragedy of Fate
It has always been the dearest hope of mankind that the twists and turns of life, a seemingly random progression of sheer coincidence, are in fact a part of the designs of some higher order. Somewhere, we reason, there must exist an emergent pattern to the chaos of our existence. To this intangible being who directs our course we have assigned the name of fate. It is fate, and not humble human choice or character, that steers Romeo and Juliet to the tragedy of their deaths. Shakespeare creates a clear path for us to follow, as omniscient spectators, to watch as fate manifests herself through a tightly knit web of chance events. Shakespeare makes it clear on several occasions that fate is in control, and that destiny and not flaw in character directs the tragedy.
Fate controls the destiny of Romeo and Juliet through a series of coincidences, which is set into motion by the opposition of the houses of Montague and Capulet. Fate leads the plot from one “chance event” to the next in a closely related sequence. The illiterate servant by pure chance asks Romeo to read him the invitation to the Capulet masque. Romeo and Juliet are joined in union just as Paris coincidentally begins to take an interest in Juliet. Mercutio dies for honor, forcing Romeo to avenge him. By chance Friar John is detained at Mantua, and equally by coincidence does Balthazar chance upon the funeral and hasten to inform Romeo of his wife’s death. All of these events alone do not form a tragedy, but in sequence form the downwards spiral that lead the lovers to their joint suicide. If such a sequence of coincidence is not evidence enough that fate is at the helm, take the final moments before the lovers take their lives. Had Juliet awoken a few minutes earlier, had Friar Laurence arrived but a moment beforehand, the entire tragedy would have been averted. Fate, acting through organized coincidence directs the action.
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This is a very well written essay; however the actual analysis lacks depth and at times relevance to the question. Make sure that analysis of language, structure and form are the basis for your writing. 4 Stars