Idea of Fate In Romeo & Juliet Essay

William Shakespeare explores the idea of fate in a variety of ways and this has a strong effect on the play. The first example of fate was shown straight away at the prologue “a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”. This was fate from the beginning and its a sign that William Shakespeare belived that god decided the play’s fate as this happened later on in the play. In this essay I will show examples of fate and the different ways he interprets it, as well as what effect it has on the play. I will analyse the language they use and the co-incidences that happen and refer it fate.

The language that William Shakespeare used in the play was really effective as it fits in well with fate. An example of this is “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars”. This quote is just one of the references to Shakespeare’s theme of fate. This quote means that Romeo feels that there will be a disaster at the party, he feels that the party will start off a chain of bad events and this will lead to his death. William Shakespeare gave us clues and these clues lead up all at the end because Romeos death ended up being all due to him attending to the party.

Another piece of language that referred to fate is  “But he that hath the steerage of my course,direct my sail”. William Shakespeare believed that Romeo was being led by god so he made this point clear with this quote. Shakespeare referred to god directing Romeo’s sail, this meant that Romeo felt like something to do with fate was going to happen so he asked god to “direct his sail”, take him where God wants him to be. This idea of God taking him to where he should be is another example of fate as after this Romeo met Juliet and they fell in love.

The last quote I’ll be referring to is  “O, I am fortune’s fool!”. This is a very strong quote and this proves that Romeo had followed his fate, even though he didn’t want to. Romeo used this quote after killing Tybalt (Juliet’s Cousin) in a duel. Romeo declared that he is a “fortune’s fool” because he blames “fortune” for the death of Tybalt, or as we know it fate. Fate made Romeo kill Tybalt and this was HIS FATE, Romeo couldn’t change even if he wanted to as god decided this for him. By Romeo killing Tybalt he followed his fate, but Romeo feels like it isn’t his fault its “fortunes” fault.

All these quotes that I have used refers to fate as Shakespeare wanted it to, the effect is very strong and it fits in well in the play as all of the events described happen later on.

Coincidences made a strong effect as some may believe that it corresponds to the idea of fate, this made the effect much greater. Coincidences can be known as events or circumstances that have no connection with each other what so ever. This idea can lead to the effect of fate and this is why William Shakespeare cleverly used it in his play.

The first coincidence that I’m referring to is when the servant gets sent to invite all the party guests, it was just a coincidence that she couldn’t read and therefore she asked the first wealthy man she saw. Coincidentally that happened to be Romeo. The nurse had no idea who Romeo was and all she wanted was someone to read the list for her as she couldn’t. As Romeo read the list he saw Rosaline’s name on it, at this point we all know that Romeo is deeply in love with Rosaline. Due to this event it led to Romeo going to the party to see Rosaline. If this event did not happen then the rest of the story wouldn’t be how we know it. Some may recognize this as an act of God because he made this event happen due to coincidence, this is why this is a coincidence that leads on to Shakespeare’s theme of fate.

Another coincidence that was really effective in William Shakespeare’s play is when there was a plague in Mantua. Friar John was sent by Friar Lawrence to deliver a message that explained the plan, the plan of rescuing Juliet so that they could go and live together. this was what was meant to happen but this changed all due to Fate, there was a plague in Mantua which meant that Friar John couldn’t deliver this message. In Rome in them times if there was a plague then its believed that it was sent by god, if its sent by god then its a punishment. Mantua had a plague and Friar John was too scared to go in so he couldn’t deliver the message. Friar Lawrence has now got to go to the tomb himself to wake up Juliet and Romeo knows nothing about the plan. God sent a plague and this changed the plan, this was just meant to be. This whole Plague in Mantua is a total coincidence and this was just another example that Shakespeare used to represent fate.

The way William Shakespeare wrote this play was really smart, he used different techniques and ways of representing fate this made a massive effect on the play. As it looked like the story was going down one path all of a sudden it changed and it changed again, all this was due to fate and God. All of my reasons above are how William Shakespeare explored the idea of fate and there are also many more.