Romeo and Juliet is a classic love story, retold in numerous times in numerous ways. In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, it is emphasized that the star-crossed lovers were the subject of fate and that their deaths were inevitable. Romeo and Juliet fell in love, were married, and were dead within five days. As the title implies, this play includes much misfortune and calamity. Shakespeare would have us believe that their fates were unavoidable and I don’t completely agree with him. However, I can see his point of view. Shakespeare’s theory of doom, disproving the theory, and my opinion are all sides to observe.
The definition of fate is the development of events beyond a person’s control or that an event was destined to happen. Shakespeare
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These violent delights have violent ends.
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This quote tells us that great joy and love don’t always have a happy ending. The Friar is signaling that Romeo and Juliet’s love won’t end pleasantly. By allowing us subtle previews into the play, he is implying that Romeo and Juliet were the subjects of fate.
Even though Shakespeare wrote this play with his leads being the results of fate, not everyone may agree. There are instances in Romeo and Juliet that seem as though their decisions were the cause of their misfortune. For instance, from the beginning of the play Romeo has been portrayed as a passionate person who loves to be in love. We see his affections change like the wind from Rosaline to Juliet. He is depressed in the first section of the play because he is in love with Rosaline, but she either isn’t interested or doesn’t know about him.
Romeo.
One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun
Ne’er saw her match since first the world began.
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Romeo is comparing Rosaline’s beauty to the sun and is saying that no one is more beautiful than her. Benvolio and Mercutio convince him to attend the Capulet’s party to observe Rosaline and decide if he really loves her. While at the party, Romeo meets Juliet and falls completely in love with her. When speaking to the Friar, Romeo tells him that he is no longer in love with
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In Act II Scene II, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, just as he did to Rosaline.
Romeo.
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!
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Here Romeo is stating that Juliet is his source of light and happiness, similar to what was said about Rosaline. Romeo’s inconsistency and impracticality affected the outcome of the story. If Romeo would have controlled his emotions, the course of events leading up to his death would not have happened.
While Romeo was a contributing factor to their demise, Juliet also played an important role in the outcome. Juliet’s parents desperately dreamed of her marrying Paris. When Lady Capulet addressed Juliet and inquired as to whether or not she was interested in marrying Juliet was not enthusiastic.
Juliet.
It is an honor that I dream not of.
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Juliet has made it clear that she is not ready to be married. However, less than twenty-four hours later, Juliet has married Romeo. Juliet didn’t know herself very well and she was easily