Romeo and Juliet
English Essay Outline
Romeo and Juliet is undoubtedly a tragedy, ending in the pair’s death. But, since the two committed suicide, it is unclear whether their demise was brought on by themselves or sealed through fate. Elizabethans knew that suicide was the devil’s business so this supports it being predestined. Romeo and Juliet’s tale is one of fate rather than freewill. Romeo and Juliet’s fate is prescribed through their parent’s feud, and Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony and foreshadowing demonstrates this. In particular, this is seen through: Juliet’s consumption of fake poison, their secret marriage, and the audience’s knowledge of Romeo and Juliet’s death from the beginning of the play.
Juliet’s failed attempt at avoiding her marriage to Paris, lead her to the consumption of a sleeping potion, which later on caused her untimely death. This shows that the characters are puppets- no matter what they do their demise is inevitable. Friar Lawrence proposed a plan for Juliet to consent to marry Paris; then, on the night before the wedding, she must drink a sleeping potion that will make her appear to be dead. She would be laid to rest in the Capulet tomb, and the friar would send word to Romeo to help his retrieve her when she wakes up. In reality, the Montague Servant, Balthazar, saw Juliet laying in her casket and reported to Romeo that Juliet was dead. When Romeo arrived at the Capulet tomb, he drank a poison that followed his death. When Juliet awoke, she stabbed herself with a dagger as she discovered the death of her love, Romeo. Conclusively, Juliet’s death is foreshadowed by her fake death. As we can see, their engineered plan fails miserably; fate determines what happens, not their own actions.
Romeo and Juliet rushed into a secret marriage, which later resulted in a terrible tragedy of death. The only characters that were aware of this situation were themselves, Friar Lawrence, the Capulet nurse, and the audience. Juliet announced to the
Romeo and Juliet is undoubtedly a tragedy, ending in the pair’s death. But, since the two committed suicide, it is unclear whether their demise was brought on by themselves or sealed through fate. Elizabethans knew that suicide was the devil’s business so this supports it being predestined. Romeo and Juliet’s tale is one of fate rather than freewill. Romeo and Juliet’s fate is prescribed through their parent’s feud, and Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony and foreshadowing demonstrates this. In particular, this is seen through: Juliet’s consumption of fake poison, their secret marriage, and the audience’s knowledge of Romeo and Juliet’s death from the beginning of the play.
Juliet’s failed attempt at avoiding her marriage to Paris, lead her to the consumption of a sleeping potion, which later on caused her untimely death. This shows that the characters are puppets- no matter what they do their demise is inevitable. Friar Lawrence proposed a plan for Juliet to consent to marry Paris; then, on the night before the wedding, she must drink a sleeping potion that will make her appear to be dead. She would be laid to rest in the Capulet tomb, and the friar would send word to Romeo to help his retrieve her when she wakes up. In reality, the Montague Servant, Balthazar, saw Juliet laying in her casket and reported to Romeo that Juliet was dead. When Romeo arrived at the Capulet tomb, he drank a poison that followed his death. When Juliet awoke, she stabbed herself with a dagger as she discovered the death of her love, Romeo. Conclusively, Juliet’s death is foreshadowed by her fake death. As we can see, their engineered plan fails miserably; fate determines what happens, not their own actions.
Romeo and Juliet rushed into a secret marriage, which later resulted in a terrible tragedy of death. The only characters that were aware of this situation were themselves, Friar Lawrence, the Capulet nurse, and the audience. Juliet announced to the