Does fate influence the lives of young love? Frequently, due to parental control, various circumstances are beyond their grasp. Romeo and Juliet’s lives were heavily influenced by fate, which ultimately determined the outcome of each situation. Fate played a pivotal role in their initial encounter, separation, and eventual downfall, leaving them with no means of escape. Their chance meeting with Capulet’s servant, who unintentionally informed them about the grand party, was essential for Romeo and Juliet to cross paths.
Caplet’s servant, unable to decipher the invitations he was given, sought out educated individuals who could assist him. It was by twist of fate that the Montague encountered the servant and learned of the Capsules’ festive gathering. Venison persisted in suggesting attendance at the party, ultimately causing Romeo to become enamored with Gullet’s exquisite beauty. He proclaimed, “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright… Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” (l, v, 43 & 46). Subsequently, Romeo and Juliet’s infatuation for each other began to flourish into a deep love.
Gullet’s focus shifted from evading Parish’s pursuit to embracing Romeo’s romantic allure, marking the destined start of their forbidden love. Fate intervened by having Romeo banished from Verona, resulting in the loss of Mercuric and Table’s lives. As a hot-tempered and antagonistic individual, Table’s actions frequently caused harm to others. He initiated a quarrel with the Montague and insisted that Romeo face him in a duel.
As Romeo refused to fight Table, he confessed that he had a newfound love for Table that Table would never comprehend. However, Mercuric intervened and accepted the challenge in Romeo’s place. Due to his intoxication, Romeo inadvertently allowed Mercuric to be stabbed under his arm. Consequently, Mercuric exclaimed, “A plague o’ both your houses!” (III, I, 106), firmly placing blame on both Romeo and Table for his death. Seeking vengeance for Mercuric’s demise, Romeo sets off to confront the “Prince of Cats” responsible for taking his best friend’s life. Upon discovering Table’s lifeless body on the ground, the citizens of Verona promptly banish Romeo under the order of the Prince.
As Romeo flees the town center, he becomes aware that his chances of seeing Juliet again are slim. Amidst all the turmoil, Romeo’s destiny is determined, and both his life and his love for Juliet are put in great peril. Unfortunately, a plague in Mantua prevents Friar’s letter from reaching Romeo, further endangering their happiness. The letter gets stuck in a place affected by an outbreak of plague, resulting in Friar John being quarantined and unable to enter Mantua. This unfortunate series of events is one of the factors that eventually leads to the tragic downfall of the young lovers.
Juliet was in her tomb, sleeping, waiting for Romeo to come. Romeo, not knowing that she was alive, drank poison so he wouldn’t have to live without her. A while later, Juliet woke up and found Romeo’s lifeless body: “He drank poison, it seems… I will kiss your lips… Your lips are warm!” (V, Ill, 162, 164 & 167). Juliet was overcome with sadness, and because Romeo died without her, she took her own life using his dagger. Unfortunately, fate’s bad timing led to the destruction of their happiness and their lives together, with both of them unaware and unable to stop it.
Many of the events surrounding Romeo and Juliet, as well as their problems, were attributed to fate. They were unable to prevent their meeting, Romeo’s banishment, or their tragic endings. It appeared that everything around them was predetermined, making it impossible for them to evade their ultimate fate. The reason why fate brought them together only to separate them remains unknown. It is possible that fate orchestrated this to make the families realize the pointlessness of their feud. However, could this lesson not have been taught with less pain and violence?
