Opening statement: Fate is a prominent theme in Shakespeare's tragic play Romeo and Juliet. From the beginning of the play, the audience is made aware of the inevitability of the tragic end that awaits the titular characters. The use of foreshadowing and symbolism throughout the play highlights the idea that their fate was predetermined. Firstly, the prologue sets the tone for the entire play by foreshadowing the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet. The lines "A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life" (Prologue, line 6) immediately suggest that the fate of the two lovers is predetermined and that their love is destined to end in tragedy. This idea is further emphasized throughout the play through the use of symbolism. For example, the constant …show more content…
Romeo, in particular, is a character who often speaks of his belief in fate. In Act 1, Scene 4, he says, "He that hath the steerage of my course/Direct my sail!" (lines 114-115). This suggests that Romeo sees himself as a ship that is being guided by a greater force, namely fate. Juliet also acknowledges the power of fate in her famous lines, "My grave is like to be my wedding bed" (Act 1, Scene 5, line 135). This line suggests that Juliet is aware of the tragic end that awaits her and Romeo. Thirdly, the actions of the characters in the play are often driven by a sense of inevitability. For example, the feud between the Capulet and Montague families has been going on for so long that it seems impossible for Romeo and Juliet to escape its influence. Additionally, the events that lead to Romeo's banishment and, ultimately, the deaths of both lovers, are often the result of misunderstandings and miscommunications that are beyond their control. Furthermore, the conclusion of the play emphasizes the idea that fate is a powerful force that cannot be avoided. Despite their best efforts to escape their fate, Romeo and Juliet are unable to do so. In the end, their deaths bring an end to the feud between their families, suggesting that their tragic end was meant to serve a greater