ROUGH DRAFT
Asfa Riyaz
Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing direction. You can change direction too but the storm will continue to chase you. So you just have to step into the storm, and walk through us step by step. Fate. Who would guess that this measly, one-syllable, four lettered word would play such a big role in William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Sometimes fate is like a small sandstorm that keeps changing direction. You can change direction too but the storm will continue to chase you. So you just have to step into the storm, and walk through us step by step. In Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet” fate is one of the main contributors that lead to their deaths. Fate can be identified throughout the play when Romeo gets the invitation to the Capulet feast, Frair Laurence’s letter not getting delivered to Romeo and Juliet waking up too late.
Firstly, fate can be identified when Romeo gets the invitation for the Capulets feast. Peter, an illiterate servant of the Capulet, asked Romeo to assist him in reading the guest list. “Perhaps you have learned it without book. But I pray, can you read anything you see” (Act 1, Scene 2). Romeo notices the name of his love, Rosaline. “At the ancient feast of Capulet’s , Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves”(Act 1, Scene 2). Romeo attends the party in hopes of seeing Rosaline but ends up falling deeply in love with Juliet, a member of the families foe. “What lady’s that, which doth enrich the hand, Of yonder knight”(Act 1,Scene 5). Fate had it written for Romeo and Juliet to meet and fall in love but not only did this event carry the evidence of fate throughout the play.
Secondly, fate can be identified when Frair Laurence’s letter didn’t get delivered to Romeo. Balthasar, Romeo’s servant headed to Mantua to give Romeo the news that Juliet, his true love had died. Unfortunately, Balthasar was unaware of the Frair’s and Juliets plan. “Her body sleeps