William Shakespeare's 15th century tragedy, Romeo and Juliet contests fate versus free will to discuss the dire consequences of the two lovers during the Elizabethan era. Set in Verona, this religious and hostile environment comes with the contention to show the series of misfortunes which happen upon the characters due to fate, which they often attempt to defy. This poses the question, were Romeo and Juliet destined to die from the very start? Ultimately, the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is determined by fate's impending influence. Fate is used as a symbol of despair, placing our characters in the face of adversity, preventing any happiness. When Romeo stabs Tybalt, he proclaims, "O, I am fortune's fool!", this oxymoron, makes Romeo realise that he has become a victim to fate itself and that it has sealed his doom, captive to destiny. Moreover, after Friar Lawrence finds Romeo and Juliet dead, he announces that fate is a "A greater power than we can contradict" and that it has "thwarted." with their master plan. This implies …show more content…
Free will is used as a character foil for fate, but it is not the overarching theme. It shows how characters do have free will, but are powerless when it comes to fate's decree. In act 5, Romeo says that he will "defy you, stars!", using celestial imagery to show that he is openly opposing to the destiny he is given. Unfortunately, in "defying" fate, he ends up highlighting the point that his death was already foretold, and that these "star-cross'd lovers" really did, "take their life.", just as fate had planned. During the Elizabethan era, people believed "stars" and other astrological concepts tied into human destiny and could foretell futures, foreshadowing fate, destiny and the lover's doomed relationship. Thus, despite attempts to hinder the character's lives, Romeo and Juliet's fates are predetermined and