Fate In Romeo And Juliet

Fate is a predetermined and unpredictable path of events beyond human control; it is a supernatural power which cannot be changed by anyone or anything; it is inescapable (“Fate”). In countless situations humans rely on fate and luck; however, relying on a predetermined future does not always turn out well. The power of fate can often be a monster as proven in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A person cannot choose their fate. The two “star-cross lovers” have no control over their destinies. There are many examples of fate throughout the play, whether it is when Peter runs into Romeo and Benvolio making them aware of the Capulets ball; or the houses that Romeo and Juliet were born into; or even Juliet wakening up right after Romeo’s …show more content…
During the rising action of the play, a servant to the Capulets, Peter comes over to Romeo and Benvolio who are roaming the streets of Verona sobbing about Romeo’s beloved Rosaline. Peter, being a lower class citizen and not knowing how to read, asks Romeo “God ‘I’ good e’en. I pray, sir, can you read?” (1.2.58). Not knowing that Romeo is a Montague, he is asking Romeo to interpret the guest list to the Capulets ball. This quotation is very important because it brings Romeo and Juliet together. Is seems inevitable that they would meet each other. After that, Peter invites Romeo and Benvolio to the ball: “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…” (1.2.81-83). Peter has no idea that they are Montagues. The importance of this quote is Romeo and Juliet met at the Capulets ball, Romeo and Juliet fell in love because of Peter, fate brought Peter to Romeo, leading Romeo to attend the Capulets ball; thus, falling for …show more content…
Shakespeare describes the two families as “Two households, both alike in dignity… From ancient grudge break to new mutiny” (Prologue. 1,3). From this introduction we know that these two families would never let them be together; Romeo and Juliet were stunned upon the discovery of their last names. When the Nurse told Romeo about Juliet being a Capulet, Romeo exclaimed, “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt” (1.5.116-117). This quotation shows Romeo’s surprise of discovering Juliet being a Capulet, his families worst enemy. Romeo knows that his family would never agree to him marrying a Capulet. The Nurse also reveals Romeo’s identity to Juliet, “His name is Romeo, and a Montague, The only son of your great enemy” (1.5.134-135). In this quotation, Juliet finds out Romeo is a Montague; and that their love is hopeless. Since both these families have a war between them, their love would be forbidden and they would be denied the opportunity to wed or be together. Chance brought Romeo and Juliet together, but fate challenges their love by bearing them into two families that are sworn

Show More