Romeo and Juliet Fate Essay

Romeo and Juliet Essay Some believe that whatever happens during the course of their lives is inevitable and every event destined and laid out before them like a map to their life; in other words, fate. Fate is defined as a force, principle or power that predetermines events, it is the inevitable events that are destined by this force. Why do Romeo and Juliet meet? Why do Mercutio and Tybalt have to die? Why does Juliet awaken seconds after Romeo dies? These occurrences are caused by fate. Romeo and Juliet's fates were linked from the beginning. In the Prologue it states “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”. This sentence expresses that from the start that the fate of Romeo and Juliet was written in the stars, and they were cursed to death. In the play, fate directs the lives of the characters. Secondly, it foreshadows events that were yet to come. Lastly, the characters are aware that they are controlled by their destiny and fate. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, fate plays a significant role. Fate directs the lives of the characters in the play. Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting isn’t purely coincidental. A servant of Capulet crosses paths with Romeo and Benvolio, and invites them to the Capulet party, not knowing that they are Montagues. "My master is the great rich Capulet, and, if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine" (I. ii. 78-80). It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulet servant and learn of the party. It is not just an accident that the servant tells the two cousins about the party at which Romeo is destined, yet still unaware, that he will meet his one true love. Also, it is not by coincidence that Friar John is unable to deliver the letter of Friar Lawrence’s plans to Romeo. It is destined for Balthasar to tell Romeo that Juliet had died. "Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, And her immortal part with angels lives" (V.i. 18-19). Even though he says what he believes