Whether we have control over our lives, or if lives are already predetermined from the day we were born is a thought that has crossed many minds. William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juilet tells the story of two lovers and the tragedy at the end leaves audiences wondering if it were inevitable. The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is fate. This is seen in the references to destiny and obstacles in Friar’s plan From the play's beginning, fate is suggested and plays a significant role in the story of Romeo and Juliet. In the prologue, the chorus refers to the two as "star-crossed," Shakespeare was the first person to use this term but many have interpreted the meaning as “not favored by the stars” implying that their fate had already been predetermined …show more content…
Despite their love for each other, outside forces and circumstances keep them apart. For example, when Friar Laurence sends a message to Romeo to explain his plan to fake Juliet's death. He gives the letter to Friar John to deliver. Friar John says, “where the infectious pestilence did reign, Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us in "(Act V scene II 10-12) meaning there was a plague that prevented him from entering Mantua. For this reason, he could not deliver the message. As he says in “I could not send it here it is again. Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection.” (Act V scene II lines 14-16) This miscommunication leads to Romeo believing that Juliet is actually dead, and he takes his own life in despair. Similarly, when Juliet wakes up from her deep sleep, Romeo has already taken his own life, and there is no way for the lovers to be reunited. In Act III, Scene 1 Mercutio says the famous lines “A Plague on Both Your Houses” and sure enough it is a plague that is seen to indirectly lead to their tragedy and you could argue it all could have been prevented if there had not been a plague in Mantua. The characters had no control over this implying there was something else responsible for these series of unfortunate