Sierra McAnally Mrs. Selfridge Honors English 1 Period 6 20 March 2024 Romeo and Juliet’s Ultimate Fate In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare crafts a story of star-crossed lovers whose tragic fate is destined from the beginning. From the moment the two set eyes on each other, Romeo and Juliet are entwined into circumstances that conspire to keep them apart. The ultimate downfall of Romeo and Juliet was indicated by the alignment of the ill-fated interferences of others, the lovers' impulsive decisions, and the ever-looming presence of fate. Shakespeare implies that from the opening lines, their lives were predetermined. Thereby emphasizing that despite their best efforts, the lovers' ends were indeed written in the stars. Despite their …show more content…
Friar John had run into unforeseen obstacles at every turn. Blocked by guards at the city gates, Friar John found himself thwarted, unable to deliver the crucial message to Romeo. Ultimately, the misguided efforts of those in Romeo and Juliet propel the star-crossed lovers towards their inevitable downfall. Romeo and Juliet's impulsive actions ultimately lead to their own self-deprecation. Romeo, hidden in a bush gazing up at Juliet, expresses his passionate desire for her, “Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,. Be not her maid, since she is envious;” (2,2 - 5). By referring to the “envious moon”, Romeo alludes to Diana, goddess of the moon and patron of virgins. Romeo begs Juliet to no longer be Diana's maid. Romeo's impulsive desire to quickly further their relationship, with his plea for physical intimacy leads to impetuous decisions. Romeo poignantly acknowledges the need for him to leave and explains, “Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the mist mountain-tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die”