Paper
Fate in Romeo and Juliet
In modern times, and in the Elizabethan era, fate plays an important
role in people’s lives. Many people believe it to be written in stone, and
unchangeable. Many others believe it to be controlled by a person’s own
actions. In Romeo and Juliet, fate is one of the main themes, described as
having power over many of the events in the play. Fate is often called upon,
wondered about, and blamed for mishaps. However, where fate is blamed in the
play as the ultimate cause for a mishap, there is always an underlying action,
or combination of them, on the part of human beings that decides the
consequences. Human weakness, the loss of self-control, is always the direct
cause of a bad choice or mishap, and not fate itself.
One of the most noted instances where fate is blamed for a mishap is
when Romeo cries out the he supposedly is fortune’s fool. He claims that fate
has brought on Mercutio’s death, and has lead him to kill Tybalt in revenge.
In Act 3, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is seen to be upset at
Mercutio’s death and predicts that the ?days black fate on more days doth
depend.? (III, I, 118) Tybalt then re-enters and Romeo becomes more upset that
Tybalt is triumphant with Mercutio being dead (III, I, 121). As Romeo becomes
overwhelmed with Mercutio’s death and Tybalt’s joy over it, he suddenly
declares that either he or Tybalt must die with Mercutio (III, I, 128). Tybalt
responds predictably and threatens Romeo (III, I, 129). Romeo takes the threat,
then fights Tybalt until Tybalt is finally killed. When Tybalt dies, Romeo
suddenly comes to grips with what he has done, and, unable to believe that he
did this of his own will, cries out that he is fortune’s fool (III, I, 135).
While many people may say that Romeo’s grief caused him to kill Tybalt,
this still places no responsibility on fate. Romeo, being a peaceful
individual, should have kept as much of his cool as possible when dealing with
the situation. Leaving was a choice that Romeo had, and would most likely have
spared Tybalt’s life and the consequences of his death. Benvolio also had the
choice to take Romeo away while he was in despair, and so it was in part
Benvolio’s choice not to that led to the tragic results. Romeo’s comment on
black fate is a thought that foreshadows ill events in the future. Since he
realizes that these events will take place, he should try to control them as
much as is possible by keeping a cool head and not letting his emotions rule
him, as is seen to be the case. This would give Romeo control over his future,
taking away the element of fate.
Capulet is viewed as a man who enjoys control. His decision to have Juliet
marry Paris is the reason for Friar Laurence’s plan to fake Juliet’s death. In
his plan, the Friar tells Juliet to go back to her father and allow herself to
marry Paris (IV, I, 89-90). While fate is viewed to have played an important
part in Juliet’s death, it is instead Capulet’s weakness in loss of control,
and the Friar’s weakness to stay true to the cloth that causes her death.
Act 5, Scene 2 introduces the event that is perhaps viewed as the
greatest indicator of fate in the play. The scene starts with Friar John
entering to see Friar Laurence. Friar Laurence is happy to see that his aide
has returned, but is soon disappointed to learn that the letter to Romeo that
he sent with the aide did not make it because Friar John had taken up added
duties along the way and had been suspected of becoming ill. When Friar John
tells that he went to visit the sick first (V, II, 7-12), Friar Laurence
realizes the grave consequences of what may happen. As a result of Romeo not
getting the Friar’s letter, Romeo comes to believe that Juliet is dead and then
kills himself.
While at first it seems as though Romeo missing the letter is pure
misfortune, it is actually Friar John’s choice not to go directly to Mantua, as
ordered by Friar Laurence (IV, I, 123). Whether or not Friar John’s choice was
for better of worse has no bearing on the fact that it was his choice, and
weakness not to carry on as directed, and not an act of fate that resulted in
Romeo missing the important letter.
Perhaps the final element of supposed fate surrounding the deaths of
Romeo and Juliet is in the Capulet family tomb when Juliet awakens. Friar
Laurence is with her at the time. As Juliet regains consciousness and asks for
Romeo, the Friar hears the approach of the watch and leaves Juliet on her own.
?I dare no longer stay? were the final words from the Friar before he left.
Obviously the Friar feared what might happen to him if the watch found him
there. The Friar is a holy and respected man and should have stayed with
Juliet, knowing that she was in no condition to deal with Romeo’s death. Thus
his weakness caused him to choose to leave, with no help from fate, and the
death of Juliet.
The play Romeo and Juliet brings out a theme of fate, which turns out
only to be surface deep. Behind each instance of ill fate is an underlying
weakness on the part of one or more persons that dictate the results. Finally,
almost all of the ?ill fated’ instances are easily traced to Friar Laurence,
who himself represents the idea that fate does not exist, giving the conclusion
that human weakness, the loss of self-control, is the force behind ill mishaps,
not fate.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Roy, Ken. Toronto.
Harcourt Brace, 1987.
337
Другие работы по теме:
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper Character
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper Character TraitsRomeo- Romeo is the son of Montague. He cares for Juliet a lot but his friend makes fun of him. He suddenly grows up to a man and likes Juliet. He is very hot-tempered too. His family and Juliet’s families have been fighting for generations. He loves to Juliet and wants to marry her.Juliet- Juliet is the daughter of Capulet.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Essay Research Paper
Romeo and Juliet essay In the play, Romeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet, the father of Juliet was a good citizen and a good husband, but was quite strict. He was a very strict father because he was selfish and wanted Juliet, who was only 13 years of age, to get married with Paris instead of her innate lover, Romeo. Lord Capulet is an austere father, but he is a good citizen and a reasonable husband.
Romeo And Juliet The Theme Of Death
Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: The Theme of Death Slash, cling, clank these are the sounds that are heard in a sword fight as a man is killed. In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare the
ComparisonRomeo Juilet Movie And Play Essay
, Research Paper The modern movie version of Romeo + Juliet is a lot better than the original Shakespeare?s play version. In the modern movie Romeo & Juliet, basically everything is easier to understand. The setting is simple and set everywhere. The characters actually go places and not just act every scene out.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper Romeo 3
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper ?Romeo and Juliet is a play about two silly, immature teenagers who lack common sense. Therefore, the play expresses the danger of a love in which two
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper Lovers
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper Lovers are often stopped from falling in love, but lovers have faith to help them love each other. In William Shakespeare?s Romeo and Juliet, two star-crossed lovers are paused from falling in love, due to two family feuds. Fate leads Romeo and Juliet to meet and to die.
Friar Laurence Essay Research Paper The Friar
Friar Laurence Essay, Research Paper The Friar in Romeo and Juliet had been trying to get two rivals, the Montegues and the Capulets, to unite and end their rivalry. Romeo and Juliet, each from the different families, fall in love and want to be married. Romeo asks Friar Laurence to help him wed Juliet, and the Friar has severe doubts at first about the true intentions of Romeo.
Themes Of Romeo And Juliet Essay Research
Paper In Shakespeare?s Romeo and Juliet, there are several themes. One theme deals with ?eye love? versus ?heart love?. Eye love is loving someone at first sight because of
Romeo Essay Research Paper Romeo and Juliet
Romeo Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet Essay In Shakespeare?s tragedies the main characters die in the end, and in his comedies people marry. Since Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, Romeo and Juliet are going to die in the end. Some events have to lead to their deaths, and someone makes these events happen.
Fate Essay Research Paper The only theme
Fate Essay, Research Paper The only theme that tragedy reveals is that the noble and good must suffer. There is no lesson we can draw from tragedy that will help us avoid the fate of the protagonist. It is known that in Shakespeare?s tragedies the main characters die in the end. Romeo and Juliet being a tragedy, sets up a situation where we know that Romeo and Juliet are going to die in the end.
Romeo And Juliet Summary Essay Research Paper
Romeo and Juliet, is a story of two young lovers, whose love was destined for destruction. They did not imagine that their love would lead to the tragedies that it did. These two young people did
Fate Of Romeo And Juliet Essay Research
Paper The Fate of Romeo and Juliet by Paul Schonfeld In William Shakespeare?s Romeo and Juliet, fate plays an extremely powerful role throughout the story. It turns out to cause many terrible events. Shakespeare hints at the outcome throughout the story and makes the reader hope more and more that Romeo and Juliet can live together.
Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay Research Paper 2
Romeo And Juliet: Fate? Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Fate? Why was Romeo`s love for Juliet terminated. Fate or not? Well they met at the royal ball of the montigues until Romeo noticed Juliet. Finally they kissed and
Romeo And Juliet Fate Essay Research Paper
Romeo and Juliet: Fate Throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, fate manifests itself causing the destruction of many lives. Fate drastically affects the lives of
Differences Between Laurence
’s West Side Story And Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper Differences Between Laurence’s West Side Story and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
The Role Of Fate In Romeo And
Juliet Essay, Research Paper In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, fate is the a dominant factor throughout the story, and it is the cause of many hazardous
Discuss Two Themes In Romeo And Juliet
Essay, Research Paper Has there ever been such a tragedy as Romeo and Juliet, two young lovers who eventually take their own lives due to their family?s inability to over come long-standing conflicts. The themes used in Romeo and Juliet are as follows love, conflict, life and death, power, time, fate and two worlds.
Romeo And Juliet Tragedy Of A Family
Or A City? Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Tragedy of A Family or A City? Is Romeo and Juliet’s death a tragedy of two families or a tragedy of a city? In the following quote, W. H. Auden says, “The tragedy of Romeo and
Romeo And Juliet Fate Or Free Essay
, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will Humans often follow the path of fate. Everyone makes choices out of their own free will that affect their life at that time, but will, in the end, lead to their pre-determined fate. People inflict their own wounds during their life by the choices that they make.
Romeo And Juliet Fate Or Free Will
Essay, Research Paper The human condition follows the path of fate. Everyone makes choices out of their own free will which affects their life at that time, but will ultimately lead to their pre- determined fate. People inflict their own wounds during their life by the choices that they make. This applies in Romeo and Juliet and plays a major role in Romeo and Juliet?s lives. ?A pair of star-crossed lovers? (I, i, 6) In the very opening of the play the chorus is singing about Romeo and Juliet, and predicts their life together as having a star-crossed conclusion.
Romeo And Juliet Love Or Infatuation Essay
, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Love or Infatuation. This may sound unorthodox, but in my opinion Romeo and Juliet were NOT in love, but instead were infatuated. It seemed that Romeo and
Romeo And Juliet Love And Hate Essay
, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet: Love and Hate In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare wrote the story of two lover’s Romeo and Juliet. The love of Romeo and Juliet was a great and unforgettable love.
Romeo And Juliet Love
& Death Essay, Research Paper Romeo & Juliet: Love and Death In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare love and death are linked together. There are several instances when love and death take place. Romeo and Juliet die for their love of eachother. Tybalt, Juliet s cousin, kills Mercutio. Romeo kills Tybalt and Paris.
Romeo And Juliet Not Victims Of
Fate Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet are not the victims of fat, nor are they a “pair of star-crossed” lovers. Their deaths were merely the result of the premeditated actions belonging to teens. For one, the death of Tybalt contributed to the banishment of Romeo (which contributed to the frustration of both Romeo and Juliet).
Romeo And Juliet Balcony Scene Essay
Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet is a very famous play written by William Shakespeare. It is a story of two young lovers, whose love was destined for destruction. In the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is proven to be romantic while Juliet is more practical.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper In
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper In many dramatic plays there are many points in the story that could have prevented the tragic ending. Such as shown in the play of Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. The ending of Romeo and Juliet was very tragic. In all there were six deaths. Including that of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo And Juliet- Character Analysis Of Romeo
Essay, Research Paper Romeo is the type of person who loves everything except his enemies. He shows his love and hate to everyone. Whenever he saw Juliet, he would tell her how much that he loved her. If he saw another Capulet, he would try and start a fight or just leave them.
A Comparison Of The Characters In Romeo
And Juliet And The West Side Story Essay, Research Paper In plays, as in real life, individuals actions can change the course of events in theirs, as well as, other individuals lives. In both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, the lovers were forced to take their own lives or be killed because of fate and the actions of others.
Romeo And Juliet And West Side Story
– Different But So Much Alike Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story are alike in many ways, they were both very successful in their day. Like Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria are of opposite “families”, They fall in love and their love is forbidden. Maria is Puerto Rican and Tony is Irish. In West Side Story they don’t get married but they do have a torrid love affair.
Romeo And Juliet Act 3 Scene 2
And 3 Essay, Research Paper Act 3 Scene 2 and 3 Comparisons on Romeo and Juliet reactionsJuliet?s reaction W hen the Nurse enters she starts rambling on, making out that Romeo is dead. Juliet is
My Dog Essay Research Paper My dog
My Dog Essay, Research Paper My dog has a hat, and the hat has a shoe and that show is you. How many dogs is there in a mile to get to the other side of the siterate substance. It is known that is Shakespear’es tragedies main chatcaters die in the end,a nd in his comedy people marry. SInce Romeo and juliet is a tragedy, romeo and juliet are going to die in the end.
Romeo And Juliet 12 Essay Research Paper
Romeo and Juliet Plot Outline Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is a love story, which ends in tragedy, when the two lovers, Romeo and Juliet commit suicide when their feuding families prevent them from being together.
Romeo And Juliet 6 Essay Research Paper
Romeo & Juliet In the novel Romeo and Juliet, Romeo shows two different kinds of love depending on before and after he meets Juliet. Before Romeo falls in love with Juliet he lives a life of sadness.
Romeo And Juliet Essay Research Paper 2
Romeo And Juliet Essay, Research Paper - The importance of Minor character in Romeo and Juliet- Romeo and Juliet is a play based on love, fate, change and tragedy. It tells the story of two lovers from opposing families ancient feud, in death. Like most stories, the major characters play an important role, such as the decisions in which they take.