• Home Page
  • Theme Of Free Will In Romeo And Juliet

Theme Of Free Will In Romeo And Juliet

Superior Essays
Show More
The theme of free will and fate plays one of the dominant roles in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet love story. Fate and free will are responsible for a lot of conflicts that happened throughout the play. Shakespeare gives a hint to the audience about the doom of the couple by saying in the prologue that “a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.” (Prologue pg.23) Romeo and Juliet’s love is “dead-marked” which means that their love will bring their death. From the beginning, fate allows Romeo and Juliet to fall in love when their families are in a feud. Romeo and Juliet also choose not to deny their love by taking the risks. The unfortunate fate as well as the free will trap Romeo in a situation where he cannot control his actions and be …show more content…
At first, Romeo has no intention to get involved in the dispute and he even tries to resolve it. However, fate does not allow Romeo to be out of the matter by upbringing the death of Mercutio which stimulates Romeo’s anger. After killing Tybalt, Romeo says, “O, I am fortune’s fool.”(Act 3. Sc. 1.pg.71). This means that he kills Tybalt not because he intends to but because of the unknown forces that push him to do so. Juliet also blames fate as she says, “O Fortune, Fortune all men call thee fickle. If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him” (Act 3. Sc. 3.pg.84). This shows that fate is creating conflicts to cause Romeo to be banished. However, Romeo is also responsible for his action as he kills Tybalt willingly to take revenge on Mercutio’s death. Romeo says to Tybalt, “Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” (Act 3, Sc. 1.p.g.71) It is Romeo who challenges Tybalt for a fight in return of Mercutio’s death. He does not think through the consequences and it is the reason that creates the unfortunate event of being banished. Therefore, tricky fate as well as free will play a part in Romeo’s banishment from …show more content…
Fate and free will controls and creates the destiny of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love with each other because fate decides that they are meant to be lovers. Romeo and Juliet also do not to give up on their love and the Friar and the nurse willingly support them. Then, unfortunately, Romeo is banished from Verona because of fate as well as his own actions. Finally, Friar Laurence’s great plan is ruined as fate prevents Romeo and Juliet from being together. The two immature characters also suicide and create their own ending. Therefore, fate and free will play a very important role in Shakespeare’s Romeo and

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Role Of Fate
    • 208 Words
    • 1 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Role Of Fate

    1.) In the play Romeo and Juliet, the role of fate is stupendous, as it is implied in several of the situations throughout the play. It all begins with Romeo spotting Juliet, then falling head over heels at first sight, and due to the fact that their relationship was simply forbidden, it was bound to end one way or another in a black and white sort of manner. This is when things all begin to fall apart. Juliet's “death” is a fake, and Romeo discovers her, actually believing that she has truly passed away, and then he commits suicide.…

    • 208 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Dbq
    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Dbq

    Fate has a part in many actions in this story. For example Mercutio and Tybalt were fighting and Mercutio got hurt, he says “A plague a both houses” and from then on nothing good happens. So it was kind of like he said a curse and the universe made it come true. And the DBQ says “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes”("DBQ: Romeo and Juliet: Who's to Blame". Doc.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Who Is Tybalt Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Who Is Tybalt Responsible For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

    Tybalt is shown here as having a lack of self-temper, by having the desire to kill Romeo on the spot. Later in the story, Tybalt is shown as having another hasty want, to cause a fight or brawl. “You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, and you will give me occasion” (Shakespeare 426). Tybalt then continues to duel a beloved friend of Romeo’s, Mercutio, and in the end kills him. Romeo, enraged by this outcome, runs after the new murderer, and Tybalt receives the same ending as Mercutio.…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Hatred Quotes
    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Hatred Quotes

    “ Romeo - Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, and fury be my conduct now. Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul Is but a little way above our heads. Tybalt - Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here Shalt with him hence. Romeo -…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Who Was Responsible For Romeo And Juliet's Death Essay
    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Who Was Responsible For Romeo And Juliet's Death Essay

    Fate played a crucial role in the lover’s tragic death as Romeo and Juliet’s strong love for one another was pre-destined. Romeo and Juliet’s families were well-known in Verona for having a centuries-old grudge against one another. This makes the fact that the children from the very heart of these two feuding families accidentally meeting and fall madly in love, not just a coincidence. They were “star cross’d-lovers” who were fated to “take their li[ves]” (Prologue, Line 6).…

    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Blame In Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Blame In Shakespeare's 'Romeo And Juliet'

    Because he was there, at an all Capulet’s party, Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, saw him and became very enraged. This eventually led to Tybalt wanting to fight and Romeo’s best friend, Mercutio, stepping in to defend Romeo. While doing so, Tybalt fatally kills Mercutio. Romeo becomes very disgruntled after this and makes a vengeful impulsive decision to slay Tybalt. Romeo shouts, “That thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul/Is but a little way above our heads,/Staying thing to keep him company./Either thou or I, or both, must go with him” (3.1 88.89.90.100).…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Romeo's Flaws Essay
    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo's Flaws Essay

    Throughout the play Romeo is seen making reckless decisions that affect him and others around him. For example, Romeo displays his impulsive attitude, as he is quick to marry Juliet, falling blindly in love with someone he has just met. Romeo is able to move on as soon as he lays his eyes Juliet, even though he was previously infatuated with Rosaline, not long ago. In addition to this, Romeo also shows his lack of judgment when he choses not consider the consequences in killing Tybalt, “The citizens are up, and Tybalt is slain. / Stand not amazed.…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    What Are Romeo's Bad Decisions
    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Are Romeo's Bad Decisions

    Romeo allows Mercutio to take his place in a duel against Tybalt. Mercutio dies as an effect, and Romeo makes a rash decision to go for Tybalt and seek revenge. Romeo does not think twice before he grabs his sword and heads for his enemy saying, “[Tybalt] Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain? Away to heaven respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again that thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company.…

    • 942 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Romeo's Impulsive
    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo's Impulsive

    After Tybalt kills Mercutio, Romeo says“ Alive in triumph and Mercutio Slain! Away to heaven,respective lenity, And fire eyed fury be my conduct now. Now Tybalt take the villain back again that late thou gavest me for mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company. Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.” (3.1.127-134)Romeo tried to protect Mercutio and keep the peace between the Montagues and Capulets, but therefore, Tybalt made a wrong move and therefore Romeo killed him.…

    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Pursuit Of Happiness In William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet
    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Pursuit Of Happiness In William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    Romeo is very faithful to his friends and views them as an important part of his prosperity. After Mercutio was killed by Tybalt’s hand he lost his calm demeanor and engaged Tybalt in a brawl ending in Tybalt’s death. Romeo forgets about the consequences that will result from him killing Tybalt and ends up getting banished realizing afterwards how this will affect him from being with Juliet and impede him from reaching his happiness this is evident from the quote “ I am fortune’s fool.” Upon hearing from his dedicated servant Balthasar who finds it is in Romeo’s best interest to hear the news of Juliet’s death; it begins to dawn on Romeo that fate has been interfering with him and Juliet being together. However, Romeo does not realize that the course that fate is leading him is not to separate him and juliet…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Impetuousness In Romeo And Juliet
    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Impetuousness In Romeo And Juliet

    In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare constructs a play about two star-crossed lovers and their untimely deaths. There is an abundance of reasons as to why the two lovers had to part, but the most prominent one was Romeo’s impetuousness. Romeo acts without thinking because his love for Juliet clouds his judgment. Although most of the play revolves around the concept of fate, it was Romeo and Juliet’s actions that contribute to their deaths. Many negative events lead up to the death of the two star-crossed lovers; Romeo’s banishment for killing his cousin–in-law and Juliet faking her death.…

    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Theme Of Rebellion In Romeo And Juliet
    • 1813 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Theme Of Rebellion In Romeo And Juliet

    Romeo however, still would not accept so Mercutio stepped in to fight. First it was good fun but the end of the pitched battle Mercutio ends up dying. Romeo realizing his dear friend’s dark reality he exacts his retribution in full force by slaughtering Tybalt out of hate (Nevo 3). After Tybalt’s death…

    • 1813 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Hasty Decisions In Romeo And Juliet
    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hasty Decisions In Romeo And Juliet

    Romeo and Juliet essay The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare's most beloved and performed plays. There is a debate to be had about why the star crossed lovers reach their untimely ends and if and how it could have been prevented. The two prominent arguments are that the characters are controlled by fate, or the characters make their own decisions. Hasty decisions made by the main characters in the play such as their marriage proposal, marriage and the killing of Tybalt cause Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. At Romeo and Juliet’s second meeting at her balcony, the pair plan to get married.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Free Will Analysis
    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Free Will Analysis

    They could have decided to do anything they wanted to do, but they chose their own actions. The choices that were made could have created bonds between families, but in Romeo and Juliet it created multiple wounds for both sides of the family. The characters within the play think that everything is led by faith, but it is truly led by freewill. They are not controlled by anyone, they choose their own actions and they are affected by their own actions. When someone makes their own decision and they get backfired it is not anyone’s fault, except their own.…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Theme Of Hate In Romeo And Juliet
    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Theme Of Hate In Romeo And Juliet

    He restraints from having to touch Tybalt until Mercutio is killed by Tybalt. His love for Mercutio, overtakes and he goes into a rage, killing Tybalt. To understand love we must understand hate, Romeo makes sacrifices and does not allow his love to be overshadowed by hatred, even when killing Tybalt, he killed to avenge his friend Mercutio out of pure…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings