Beyond the Stars: The Choices of Romeo and Juliet In Shakespeare's iconic play "Romeo and Juliet," the star crossed lovers are often depicted as being at the mercy of fate, their tragic end seemingly predetermined by the stars. However, a closer examination of the text reveals that it is not fate, but rather the actions of Romeo and Juliet that ultimately lead to their deaths. The tragic demise of the young Star crossed lovers is ultimately a result of their own free will and decision making. The feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, the choice to enter into the bonds of marriage on the part of Romeo and Juliet when they had just met, the fight between Romeo and Tybalt, and the suicides of both…... From the very beginning of the play, the characters are presented with choices that shape the course of their lives and ultimately lead to their untimely deaths. It is without a doubt obvious that fate and free will had a crucial role in this play, but ultimately, free will played a more important role in the progression of the story. …show more content…
"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy." (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2) Juliet says this after the party conveying that she was aware of the circumstance yet she still decided to go through with the marriage.This decision goes against the expectations and desires of their families, who are engaged in a longstanding feud, and ultimately leads to their tragic