The All-Powerful Force “Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor 161-180 A.D. Many people believe in destiny, and that everyone was meant for something. Shakespeare based his play Romeo and Juliet off of the concept of fate and destiny. In his play, the main characters are guided by an all-powerful and inescapable force, called fate. In Romeo and Juliet, the theme of fate has brought the two main characters together in the most unintentional way. After Mercutio’s notorious queen mab speech, Romeo has an aside that overtly states fate having a larger role in the story. He says, “I fear too early, for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date... Direct my sail. On, lusty …show more content…
He also uses fate to project his theme of change. Change in Shakespeare’s play is prominent, often leading to big changes in the plot and significant events. For example, at the end of the play, fate leads to the inevitable deaths of Romeo and Juliet. However through the path that fate wove, the entire city of Verona was significantly changed; ending the feud between the Capulets and Montagues, bringing peace to the streets. The lines, “O brother Montague, give me thy hand.” and “There shall no figure at such rate be set As that of true and faithful Juliet.” (5.3.311-318) by Capulet and Montague showing that the families forgive each other and feel remorse for their actions, they are signifying the end of their prolonged conflict. This event demonstrates the effect of fate(the death of Romeo and Juliet) on the story, changing important events and playing a large part in the storyline. In this story, fate also represents the impending doom hanging over Romeo and