"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare.

Essay by TballerJunior High, 9th gradeA, May 2003

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The Fate of Romeo and Juliet

The disastrous death of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, was fated before their decisions could prevent their deaths. In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, many hints and signs of foreshadowing were given to this tragedy that is fated in the stars. Shakespeare says throughout the book that Fate really controlled the destiny these two lovers face. Even the Prologue points out that their love is "death-marked," and because of their lineage, their love and lives are destined to end in tragedy. Romeo and Juliet have very little to do with what happens to them by the end of the play. Different decisions would still have somehow led to the terrible outcome. It is sheer misfortune and fate that lead to the sorrowful and tragic ending.

Peter runs into Romeo and Benvolio on the street and asks them for help with reading the list of names of the guests that are to attend the Capulets feast that night.

Had Romeo not run into Peter, he would have never gone to the feast to meet Juliet. But with Romeo's luck, only fate and coincidence could have made this encounter possible, for it was this encounter that resulted in them meeting each other in the first place. Before Romeo enters the house of the Capulets, Romeo speaks of danger to come: "...Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars,/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/ With this night's revels and expire the term/ Of a despised life, closed in my breast,/ By some vile forfeit of untimely death." (Act 1, Scene 4, lines 107-111). Romeo senses that something bad may occur based on his fate.

Friar Lawrence and Romeo enter waiting in the friar's cell for Juliet to arrive. He warns Romeo about acting on...