Romeo and Juliet as a Tragedy of Fate or Character

Romeo and Juliet as a Tragedy of Fate or Character

The tragedy Romeo and Juliet is about two 'star-crossed' lovers from

rival families. As the two families, the Capulet's and the Montague's,

hatred for each other grows, Romeo and Juliet's love for each other

turns into a very dramatically passionate and lustful love. This

causes the couple to make radical decisions leading to the suicidal

ending.

Some critics argue that Romeo and Juliet is not a true tragedy. They

suggest that the play is a variation of a form of drama called

'Tragedy of Fate' which was popular during the early Elizabethan

period. But is fate the only cause of the inevitable ending?

Although some reasons that Romeo and Juliet die are out of their

control, fate is not the largest reason that the lovers end up dying.

For example, when Romeo hears of Juliet's death, before it is brought

to light that it is a false death. Romeo rushes to her side to murder

himself so he may lie with Juliet.

"Well, Juliet, I will lye with thee tonight".

The choice for Romeo to end his life is his alone; no one else is

responsible for his decision. And in the rescue plan we know that

things will go wrong and we think the potion may well be the cause of

that. In fact, the plan will go wrong for a far simpler reason: lack

of communication.

In act 3 the Friar is in a dilemma. He feels responsible for what has

happened and desperately seeks a way out. Friar Lawrence tries to

plead and goad Romeo.

"Unseemly woman in a seeming man"

This is to make Romeo come to his senses, and Friar Lawrence tells him

Juliet is alive.

"What rouse thee man! Thy Juliet is alive, for whos...

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...gue and left such an important an urgent message in

the hands of a messenger.

"I could not send it - here it is again - Nor get a messenger to bring

it thee, So fearful were they of infection."

Romeo happens to hear about Juliet's death from his servant Balthasar

and decides he must join Juliet's fate in eternity. When he enters the

tomb, he notices the scarlet of Juliet's cheek, signalling that she is

soon to awake from her trance. He mistakes the colour as the beauty of

her being shining through to defy death.

"Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And deaths pail flag is not

advanced there."

If only he had arrived five minutes later, Juliet would have been

awake and the two deaths would have been avoided and the two love

struck souls united. Clearly, fate controls the tragedy of Romeo and

Juliet.