Role of 'Fate' Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

In William Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet have fate is one of the main contributors that lead to their deaths. Because of fate, the play becomes exciting and it is exactly what makes the two young lovers meet each other in the first place. It was fate that a Capulet’s serving man told Romeo and Benvolio about the party where the two lovers meet, in the prologue of the play Shakespeare says that Romeo and Juliet are “star-crossed lovers”, and lastly, the flaws in Friar Lawrence’s plan also contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Therefore, fate is undoubtedly the most responsible for the couple's heartbreaking tragedy. It is not a coincidence that Romeo and Juliet meet in the first place. A serving man comes across Romeo and Benvolio in the first act, unaware that they are Montague’s, and informs them about the Capulet party: "My master is the great rich Capulet: and if you be not of the house of Montague’s, I pray come and crush a cup of wine" ( Act 1, scene 2, 81-84). It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulet serving man and discover the party. In the prologue the chorus says "pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;" (Line 6) “star-crossed” meaning opposed of by the stars. Finally, it is also a result of fate that the flaws in Friar Lawrence's plan eventually lead to Romeo and Juliet's deaths. For example, Friar Lawrence's plan is ruined because Friar John is unable to deliver the message to Romeo: "I could not send it - here it is again - nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection" (Act 5, Scene 2, 14-16). Because Friar Lawrence's message is crucial to the plan he says that the fact that it is never sent creates a major flaw that can turn out to be very deadly. For these reasons, Romeo and Juliet's first meeting is sure to happen, fate being the most powerful force at work, determining their future. In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers who were never supposed to be