Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Fate is the occurrence of events beyond a person’s control. Some people believe strongly in it, while others think the supernatural power is a hoax. However, in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fate creates a powerful effect throughout the play that is much more than just a series of coincidental events. In fact, Shakespeare sets up the lovers’ doomed destiny from the beginning in the Prologue by saying, “a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.” (Shakespeare Prologue 6) It is as if the destiny of Romeo and Juliet is written in the stars. It is fate that the two lovers fall in love at first sight; it is fate that Romeo tries to prevent a fight but ends up killing Tybalt; it is fate that the plague spreads when the messenger is trying to deliver an important letter.

Romeo is caught in the clutches of fate by falling in love with Juliet. Romeo and his friends decide to crash a Capulet party for Romeo to overcome his previous love, Rosaline. Before the party, Romeo tells Benvolio, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives some consequences yet hanging in the stars.” (1.4.113-114) Romeo feels as if there is a great fortuity coming for him, which he has no

Friar Laurence and Juliet put together an insane plan for Juliet to get out of the marriage with Paris. They are supposed to tell Romeo about their plan in an important letter meant to be delivered to him by Friar John in Mantua. But Friar John did not end up delivering it due to a comtemperous plaque. From there, a series of unfortunate events came in place. Romeo came to Capulet’s grave and took his own life without knowledge that Juliet is alive. When Friar walks in to check in on Juliet and sees Romeo dead, he says, “A greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents.” (5.3.158) The Friar says that a higher power, or fate, has ruined their plans. The Friar blames fate that the timing was off in his irrational