Predetermined Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

“Star-cross’d lovers” are a pair whose love is doomed by fate to fail as found in the most iconic romance in all of literature, Romeo and Juliet. Long before modern authors wove tales of forbidden love, William Shakespeare created a story entirely entwined with the concepts of fate and predetermined destiny. Throughout the story the concepts of predetermined destiny are relevant in the characters, the structure of the story, and the plot. In the play, the concepts of fate are foreshadowed and indicated by the characters themselves, many of whom believe in the idea and many who don’t. Upon killing Tybalt, Romeo declares himself, “fortune’s fool,” as if his actions are not his own and he is merely subject to destiny. He exemplifies this belief until he …show more content…
When Friar Lawrence attempts to explain to Romeo his plan, fate intervenes and causes Friar John to be quarantined. The inevitable downfall of his plan is a result of what he cannot control. Juliet’s marriage is moved ahead as a result of destiny. The matter of a few days causes the lovers demise. For the lovers, fate is constantly destroying their plans and forbidding their happiness. It leads Romeo to Tybalt and causes his banishment and it causes Paris to wish to marry Juliet. Fate is responsible for the constant struggles Romeo and Juliet find themselves in. Whenever things begin to go well, it intercedes. The power of predetermined destiny allows the characters to struggle with what they cannot control and creates an intriguing story for the audience that has stood the test of time. Interwoven within Shakespeare’s great play Romeo and Juliet are the ever present concepts of fate and destiny. The concept is portrayed in the characters, structure, and happenings of the story. Fate drives the story and gives the audience reason to ponder the struggle between fate and free will creating the famous story that has been read by hundreds of