Romeo And Juliet- Fate Essay example -- essays research papers

The events of Romeo and Juliet are heavily influenced by fate, as oppose to the actions of the characters. To be precise, occurrences in the play are not always as a result of conscience choices that characters make. Rather, chance occurrences (or predestination, depending on one’s opinion) cause events to take place; these events seriously alter the course of the play. Fate affects us all every single day, but the sheer number of occurrences related to fate, as well as the powerful affect these events have on the plot creates a specific connection between the play of Romeo and Juliet and fate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shakespeare makes it very clear to us that Romeo and Juliet are subject to fate. Before the play even begins, Shakespeare outlines the play for us in the prologue. The prologue summarizes the plot, this seems odd, but this was because Shakespeare’s audience was already familiar with the story and the play was a portrayal of the well-known story. Importantly, Shakespeare establishes immediately within the prologue that Romeo and Juliet’s plot includes heavy elements of fate. â€Å"A pair of star-crossed take their life.† (Shakespeare, Act 1 Prologue L.6) Shakespeare refers to Romeo and Juliet as â€Å"star-crossed†, referring to the belief of predestination (fate) and its connection with the constellations. Additionally, the prologue indicates a second time that the plot is influenced by fate; â€Å"The fearful passage of their death-marked love.† (Act 1 Prologue L.9) The love of Romeo and Juliet is â€Å"death-marked†, mea ning that it is destined to result in death. This evidence suggests that the tragedy occurs as a result of predestination instead of chance, but nonetheless, this is fate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fate has such a large roll in Romeo and Juliet that it influences not only the overall story, but also nearly every character in the play. Romeo is affected greatly by fate, arguably more so than any other character. Instances of Romeo being affected by fate abound in the play, from initial coincidences all the way up to his final dramatically ironic death. Romeo’s involvement with Juliet in the first place is based on fate. â€Å"God gi’ go-den. I pray, sir, can you read?† (Act 1 Sc.2 L.58) The illiterate servant that Romeo stumbles upon gives Romeo the opportunity to attend the Capulet party, if this incredibly unusual event had not taken place... ...nd Juliet happened as a result of their sin, â€Å"passion†. This opinion is also a valid interpretation of Shakespeare’s instances of fate in Romeo and Juliet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Encyclopedia Britannica’s section on Shakespeare comments on this issue, backing up one of the opinions, â€Å"There has been some debate among modern historians as to Shakespeare’s religious affiliation, but it is widely accepted that he did not recognize as Calvinist and did not accept predestination. Divine reward and punishment explains Shakespeare’s infatuation with what seems like destiny in his plays. Romeo and Juliet’s tragic demise was due to their transgression, their ‘passion’.† (Encyclopedia Britannica, â€Å"Shakespeare†).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  However one accepts fate to be taking place in Romeo and Juliet, it is clear that certain events are taking place, and they aren’t as a result of direct conscience decisions by characters. These events of fate have immeasurable affect on the characters and story. Among the lessons of love and hate in this play, this message, that we are not always in control of what happens to us, is very important and relevant.