Fate in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Fate in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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Whether the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is mostly based on fate is

questionable. According to the oxford dictionary fate is 'the future

as determined by such a power' or 'death, destruction'. Many say that

the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was due to the actions of themselves

and others. However how could the actions of themselves and others

produce such a dreadful tragedy? Especially as the characters in the

play that affect the lovers path to their deathbed, such as Mercutio,

the Nurse and Friar Lawrence, are the people who appear as their best

and most trusted friends. Therefore I think the tragedy of Romeo and

Juliet was destined by fate as a result of a series of coincidences.

Mercutio, one of Romeo's friends and a supporter of the Montague

household, changed the course of events by encouraging Romeo to go the

Capulet's masquerade and duelling with Tybalt in town. If Mercutio had

not encouraged Romeo to go to the Capulet's dance, the couple would

never have met and their deaths would have been averted. But was Romeo

destined to meet Juliet, regardless of the actions of others?

If Mercutio had not taunted Tybalt in town whilst out with Romeo and

Benvolio, Romeo would never have got into his fight with Tybalt and

therefore would not have been banished. Perhaps, however, the fight

initiated by Mercutio that hapless day was inevitable: could it be

that Romeo was somehow destined to be exiled?

The Nurse, Juliet's committed ser...

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...inauspicious stars" (V, iii, ll.111-113). Romeo then swallows the

poison and dies next to his beloved. Moments later, Juliet awakens to

discover that her husband is dead, and furthermore, his lips are still

warm. Distraught, she stabs herself through the heart. Had Romeo not

acted with such sudden certainty, he would have lived to watch his

wife awaken.

In conclusion, to us in modern day life the fact that Romeo and

Juliet's ending was completely due to fate is unbelievable and just a

romantic fairy story. However when Shakespeare wrote this play, his

audience would have been more concerned about the role of fate in

their lives. Although this piece does not necessarily stand up to the

depth of character and meaning of his other tragedy I think this play

was a very well written enjoyable piece for his target audience.