Free Will In Romeo And Juliet

When the play begins, Romeo chooses to crash the ball. Even before the Capulet ball, Romeo predicts his “untimely death"(1.4,117). Fate did not make him go to the Capulet ball, he decided to go on his own, even though his “mind misgives some consequences”(1.4, 114). Another example of how free will comes to play is when Romeo finds out later on that Juliet his true love is his enemy. A "fear"(1.5.120), is placed in him. Nonetheless, he still continues to pursue the relationship even though he knows it will only end in trouble.

As things become more involved, Romeo kills Tybalt in a duel. Romeo says he is "fortune's fool"(3.1.142). This brings out the free will into this part because Romeo chose to save his own life, instead of Tybalt's.

So the minute he took his life he was accountable for his actions. Romeo is not a child he knew the outcome of his decision but he did it anyway. “What if it is a poison.”(4.3.25-51) She starts thinking about all the things that could go wrong but, Juliet puts that all behind her and with her own free will, drinks to Romeo.

As the tragedy sinks towards its conclusion, Romeo decides to kill himself. With a death potion, because he's seen Juliet's dead body. Yet, Apothecary is informing him about the risk, and conditions. That even the strongest man on Earth drinking this potion would easily “dispatch you straight.” (5.1.83) Romeo ignores his views and, buys it anyway. Another part is when Juliet awakens and finds Romeo dead, Friar tells Juliet that a "greater power"(5.3.158) has ruined their plans. This is beginning to appear like Friar doesn't want to take any blame for the part he played in the couple's misfortune. After all, Friar Laurence whose assumed to be an authority to them. Is the one who helped the secret marriage, then came up with the concept for Juliet to drink the sleeping potion that would make everyone think she was dead. Friar Lawrence is blaming every other alternative but his own judgment and loss for the lives of Romeo and Juliet.