In our own lives, we are faced with many decisions that shape our future and determine our own destiny. Whether it is pursuing a passion or challenging societal norms, we have the power to take control of our lives and make conscious choices. Romeo and Juliet are a perfect example of this. Despite the obstacles and societal pressures, Romeo and Juliet decided to pursue their own love, risk their own lives for each other, and rebel against their own households. Romeo and Juliet actively chose their own fate and shaped their own destiny, which leads to their own untimely deaths. Romeo and Juliet’s decision to pursue their love shows their strong belief in their own free will and ability to shape their own fate. In the infamous balcony scene, …show more content…
When Juliet asks Friar Lawrence for help in order to avoid marrying Paris, Friar presents a plan, in which Juliet fakes her own death. Juliet quickly decides and agrees to the plan: “Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear” (4.1.123). This line shows how Juliet will not be content with accepting her fate and marrying Paris, and tries to find a way to avoid this from happening at any cost, even going as far as tricking people into believing she is dead in order to fulfill her desire to be with Romeo. This is because by turning to Friar Lawrence for help, Juliet has taken control of her fate instead of passively accepting the way it is, and also shows that Juliet is making choices that will change the course of her own life, rather than accepting her own circumstances, which is being forced into an arranged marriage she doesn’t want to be in. Another piece of evidence to support this is when Juliet prepares to drink the potion, “Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink, I drink to thee” (4.3.59). Juliet prepares to take the potion, and while she is determined to go through with the plan in order to be with Romeo again, she contemplates and is uncertain about what the future holds after she drinks the potion. She thinks about the risks that could happen, like waking up too soon, whether or not the potion will work, or dying. Despite the risks, she decides to take the potion anyway and makes a commitment to Romeo and chooses to take the risks in order to be with Romeo