Romeo and Juliet #3 Fate

Fate: The power that predetermines the course of life and is inescapable.

The theme of fate permeates through Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, as the scenes unfold before the audience. From the very beginning, the chorus warns the audience that the lovers are “star-crossed” which will ultimately take their lives. Not only is the audience aware of this, but even the characters seem to sense that there is a transcendent power influencing the timing of the characters’ actions. Nevertheless, though their fates are sealed, this does not create a dull Romeo and Juliet who act mechanically which detracts from their love and passion. Instead, the stars contribute to the impact of Romeo and Juliet as heroes who create a beautiful yet tragic story.

Romeo and Juliet constantly see omens throughout the play. In Act I, Scene III, Romeo speaks before entering the Capulet’s mansion about an unknown consequence “yet hanging in the stars…bitterly [beginning] this fearful date”. Somehow Romeo expects something bad to happen due to what is already written in the stars above. However, though Romeo acknowledges fate’s hands in all the events, Romeo still believes that he can make his own choices and change destiny which contributes to his heroism. Romeo believes that he is acting according to his will. In the play’s climax when Romeo believes that Juliet is dead, he cries out, “I defy you, stars,” completing the idea that the love between Romeo and Juliet is in opposition to destiny. When Juliet stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger, she is acting out of turmoil of passion and love. This beautiful ending underscores that Romeo and Juliet believe in a love more real and alive than fate can ever prove itself to be.

Because their deaths are destined, it enhances the tragedy of the play; tragedy in turn enhances and enriches the impact of Romeo and Juliet as heroes. They were desperately in love, and this love was violent and ecstatic, superseding all other loyalties and emotions, making it real to the two lovers. They did not see their deaths as an act of fate; rather they saw it as a necessity to preserve and retain this powerful love that they had. Romeo and Juliet’s determination to defy the stars and write their own destiny together by killing themselves makes them heroes who persevere to the very last.