Romeo And Juliet Stars Foreshadowing

In the first half of Romeo and Juliet, the motif of stars foreshadows the melancholy end of the two lovers' fates. The motif of stars foreshadows the tragic end to the first half of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo uses his ideas of stars and fate to prove to himself that he is destined for something great. Romeo, who has had his heart broken from a failed relationship, is told by a friend to attend the Capulet Ball in search of new love to kindle his once burning heart that now bears an empty husk. But even with the thought of new love, Romeo fears that the stars are not in his favor. Romeo dreams of a force beyond him warning him of attending the Capulet ball. Romeo, however, manages to talk himself out of it: "I fear too early, for my mind misgives/Some

Juliet being the daughter of
Lord Capulet and Romeo the son of Lord Montague, lead to their relationship being an area of conflict. After Romeo and Juliet first meet, Romeo is star-struck with her beauty and believes that she is the one for him. Romeo believes that the beauty presented in Juliet is something only the stars above could grant. When Romeo and Juliet first meet and are introduced, Romeo is star-struck with the beauty he sees in Juliet: "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!" (1.5.43). Romeo, having just left a failed relationship, is befuddled by the beauty of
Juliet. Romeo compares the looks of Juliet to the torches that burn, in which the shine of her beauty is what the torches wish to be. But just as all torches burn out, she too will have her torch burn out. The motif of stars within the first half of Romeo and Juliet foreshadows events that, when they arrive, will infect both houses with grief and

Balthasar, coming back from Verona, bears grave news for Romeo, "Is it e'en so? Then I defy you, stars!/Thou knowest my lodging. Get me ink and paper,/And hire post-horses. I will hence tonight" (5.1.24-26). Romeo, angered by what the stars have bespoken upon him, is determined to change his fate just as the stars change in the night. He dares to challenge the force he once thanked for bringing him the love he reaps for. That love is now torn away from his embrace with a bitterness once unseen. Not only does Romeo begin to question the fate bestowed upon him, but the stars