Role Of Fate In Romeo And Juliet Essay

Romeo and Juliet Essay

Many long for, live for, and some even kill for true love. Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters in William Shakespeare’s play, “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,” are not in control of the tragic outcome of their deaths. The deaths of the young lovers are instead a result of fate and the feud between their families.
The role of fate, a factor leading to Romeo and Juliet’s deaths, is beyond the control of the two young lovers. The tragic role of fate is driven by misfortunate timing. This is seen when Romeo receives Balthazar’s misinformation first before Friar Lawrence’s letter explaining Juliet’s scheme to live together. Shakespeare writes,
“ROMEO
News from Verona!--How now, Balthasar!
Dost thou not bring

JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.” (1.5.148-155).

Essentially, the passion between Romeo and Juliet consumes them both and blinds so that they feel like their love is the only thing that matters in the world. Although Friar Lawrence tells Romeo to “love moderately,” it is clear that the passion Romeo and Juliet share is beyond their control, as it is impossible to control their intense feelings for one another. However, as passion brings Romeo and Juliet together, fate breaks them apart. It is fate that they are from feuding families, and passion to be together that leads them to the tragic outcome of death alongside each other. The feud between Romeo and Juliet’s families is another factor leading to their deaths that is beyond the control of the two young lovers. As a result of the feud, enmity is created. This is seen during the aftermath of the fight between Romeo and Tybalt. Shakespeare writes,
“LADY CAPULET
He is a kinsman to the Montague;
Affection makes him false; he speaks not true.” (3.1.185-186).
“NURSE
Shame come to Romeo!
JULIET
Blister 'd be thy tongue
For such a wish! he was not born to