Romeo And Juliet Theme Of Fate

In William Shakespeare’s iconic 1595 romantic play ‘Romeo and Juliet’, fate is a dominant theme used. This is incorporated into the play by using different literary techniques and a distinctive style of language. The playwright uses destiny to build and develop the personalities of the characters, and to elaborate the plot of the story. The tender-hearted story is set in a prominent Catholic society in Verona, Italy where it is believed that the Shakespearean play was based on a real story focused on the rivalling Capeletti and the Montecci families. William Shakespeare involves the complex theme of fate to connect with his 16th century audience. Context in the play involving destiny would have attracted the Elizabethan audience because

Destiny drives the play from when Romeo and Juliet have their first encounter at the banquet and they express their desirous romance. Fate pushes the play when Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt begin a battle and results in the death of Tybalt and Mercutio. Destiny also steers the play especially when the messenger misses Romeo and does not explain that Juliet is not truly dead. The last fateful event in the play is Romeo’s and Juliet’s death, without the destined events before, they would not have died for each other. The famous playwright portrays this theme by using intricate literary devices to build up the events through the theme of destiny which eventually leads towards the tragic ending.

In the introductory, poetic prologue of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, William Shakespeare communicates the distinctive thematic theme of fate. He vividly foreshadows the results of fate in the opening paragraph of the play. In the prologue it states, “A pair of star-crossed lovers […], fearful passage of their death-marked love,”. This opening to the tragic play, already indicates that a death will occur because of the consequences of family and the result of their love towards each other, “continuance of their parent’s rage,”. William Shakespeare has already created the dramatic

Destiny begins in the prologue when it is stated that “star-crossed lovers take their life”, all the way up to the lovers’ deaths. To lead up to these events Shakespeare uses fateful events. In Act 5 Scene 3 before Romeo murders himself, he says, “From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss,”. It is seen in Act 1 that every occurrence was written in the stars and was supposed to occur. Shakespeare includes different literary devices throughout the play to warn the audience of what takes place next in the performance. The playwright shows the audience that Romeo has strong feelings towards destiny. Romeo expresses this opinion in multiples of Acts and Scenes. However, the last scene of the play, Romeo does not blame fate for the death of his lover, Juliet. She is found dead by Romeo where he later commits suicide to live with her (in heaven). He expresses one final time, his deep romantic passions towards her and kisses her once more. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in this scene because from the beginning of the play the lovers are known to die for each other. This writing style creates an effect on the audience. The majority of the audience would have been protestant, and religion in this era was crucial and suicide was considered a moral sin as well as