The Influence Of Free Will In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet are two star crossed lovers who take their own lives for each other, to escape their feuding houses and the manipulative heavens. The two households are the Capulets, which Juliet is a part of and the Montagues, which Romeo is a part of. Romeo believes heavily in the fate of the stars intertwining with his own decision making, even though most of the actions and choices Romeo makes in the play, were reasonable grounds to believe he was influenced by his own free will. Thought the literary device of internalized characterization this shows Romeo in a childish and immature light throughout the play.

First off many of the characters in Romeo and Juliet believe in the fate of the stars. Throughout
If he wanted he could have completely forgotten about Juliet once the party was over and gone straight back to obsessing over Rosaline like he was before while talking with Benvolio, “Why, such is love’s transgression / Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,” (I.i.183-4). But rather not from the fate of the stars but his own will to see Juliet again, tries to find her because of his own infatuation. “To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear, / And she as much in love, her means much less / To meet her new beloved anywhere;” (II.prologue.10-12) Which has the main idea of the two lovers having the drive to find eachother again against all odds. This is important because even though everyone believes the stars control them/their moods, in actuality Romeo and Juliet had free will to go and see eachother again. Plus it is no coincidence that Romeo was there while Juliet was talking aloud (II.ii.33-37) because he had been there the night before because of the party, so he knew where she