Essay On Fate In Romeo And Juliet

Modern day society promotes individualism and self-responsibility. Yet somehow, fate exists as an intrinsic part of many people’s lives. This paradox in mindset shows how logical reasoning, common sense, and science bow down for the supernatural force that guides one through life, fate, for better or worse. Such is seen clearly in the dialogue and actions of the characters in Romeo and Juliet, a play written by William Shakespeare. Taking place in 14th century Verona, Romeo and Juliet describes the tragedy that ensues when two feuding families’ children fall in love, but fate ensures both of their suicides. The villainous acts of fate prove that fate makes one helpless against decisions in life, belief in fate becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and
Just as a lion trapped in a cage slowly grows weary from failures of escape, the weathering of unfortunate events in one’s life takes its toll, coercing one to believe that decisions are not theirs to make, slowly relinquishing one’s life to the whims of the stars. Furthermore, Friar Lawrence, the priest who orchestrates the marriage of Montague and Capulet, exclaims “Unhappy fortune! […] The letter was not nice but full of charge” when the details of the scheme Friar Lawrence has set up to wed Romeo and Juliet do not reach Romeo. Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence makes minute mistakes resulting in shocking consequences. The failure to deliver the letter “full of charge” propagates the demise of Romeo and Juliet alike, causing the friar much anguish and worry. Such a circumstance prompts Friar Lawrence to believe that fate has played a cruel role in the demise of the lovers. The reasoning behind Romeo’s attraction to his sworn enemy, the death of Juliet’s kinsman, the banishment of Romeo, and the fatal end of the couple eludes Friar