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Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a classic tragedy that takes place in late 16th century Verona, Italy. It examines the story of two intense lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who’s love reach no limits. The story of their love starts off well, as they are married by an influential figure named Friar Lawrence; however, numerous hindrances later in the novel prevent their ability to be with each other. These obstacles snowball to the point where Romeo kills himself by drinking poison believing that Juliet is dead. Juliet wakes up moments later from a sleeping potion and at the sight of Romeo’s dead body, she actually ends her life by stabbing herself with Romeo’s dagger. The woeful deaths of Romeo and Juliet were brought about by …show more content…

The chorus exposes the fact that Romeo and Juliet are “a pair of star-crossed lovers” (Romeo and Juliet. I, i, 6). This term is a classical reference to the stars, a force greater than the lovers themselves that controls their love, fate, and eventually their inevitable deaths. Another reference to fate can be observed just before Romeo departs to Verona. After hearing news from Balthasar that Juliet lies dead in the Capulet tomb, Romeo exclaims “Is it e’en so?−Then I deny you, stars!−” (V, i, 25). Romeo’s remark supports the idea of fate and how destiny opposes their love. Finally, after Juliet wakes up in the Capulet monument, the Friar attempts to rush Juliet out of there before she kills herself, commenting that “a greater power than we can contradict Hath thwarted our intents” (V, iii, 158-159). Here, fate has hindered the Friar’s intentions of joining Romeo and Juliet together. Instead, fate tragically ended the lovers’ …show more content…

After Romeo’s exile from Verona, Friar Lawrence devised of a plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet. It was flawless, and the only condition that had to be met was for Friar John (the messenger Friar Lawrence sent to give his plan to Romeo) to successfully deliver the letter. But he could not bring the letter to Romeo, because he mistakenly been put in quarantine. Friar John hopelessly explains the failed delivery to Friar Lawrence, as he states “The searchers of the town, Suspecting that we were both in a house Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Sealed up the doors and would not let us forth” (V, ii, 8-11). This event is pure accident and also relates back to the concept of fate, as the stars determined that out of all people, Friar John had to be put in quarantine and unable to leave for a set number of days. Without Romeo knowing of Friar Lawrence’s plans, he mistakes Juliet as dead and ends up killing himself, and Juliet’s death shortly

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