Fate is something that is not commonly believed in, but there are a few, like William Shakespeare, who do. Shakespeare attempts to demonstrate the existence of fate through the use of figurative language and various incidents in the play. Fate plays a role in all the events that revolve around the young lovers: the deep and mysterious hatred between their families, the unfortunate chain of events that disrupt Friar Lawrence’s plans, and the tragic timing of Romeo’s suicide and Juliet’s awakening. The entire structure of the play depends on the destiny that the two lovers are unable to avoid.
The play begins with a fight between the servants of the Montague and Caplet families, showing that the long-standing hatred between the families is so deep that even the servants are affected. When Juliet and Romeo first meet, they are unaware of each other’s family background. Fate brings them together, even though it is believed to be a mere coincidence. Romeo agrees to attend the Caplet ball because he is infatuated with Rosalie and wants to see her. He repeatedly insists that he would not be interested in any other woman but Rosalie.
Juliet attended the ball as instructed by her mother to determine if she could love Count Paris. The play contains various instances of figurative language, hinting at the existence of fate. Prior to meeting Juliet, Romeo expresses his concerns, saying, “I fear it is too soon to be here, for my mind foresees some consequences that are written in the stars. This night’s festivities will mark the beginning of a tragic date… It may result in a terrible, premature death.” With a heavy heart, Romeo anticipates that something significant will occur at the party hosted by the Capsules. This event will forever alter his life and ultimately lead to his demise.
Romeo expressed his feeling in the stars, which is a peculiar occurrence leading up to the meeting of the two families. It is interesting how Romeo came to know about Caplet’s party through a coincidence. A servant coincidentally asked Romeo to read the list of attendees for him. This coincidence can be interpreted as a manifestation of fate. The stars symbolize the hidden meaning, disguising the fates. Shakespeare uses the stars, representing the heavens, to represent the fates. The play further demonstrates fate through various events. When Romeo departs, Juliet whispers to herself, “If he is married, my grave will be my wedding bed.”
Despite Romeo being unmarried, Juliet is unaware that he is a Montague. For Juliet, loving a Montague is a more severe offense than loving a married man. As the play progresses, the omens of the two lovers come true with disastrous consequences. During the previous evening’s party, Gullet’s cousin, Table, recognized Romeo’s voice and became enraged because Romeo is a Montague. Table informed Lord Caplet about Romeo’s presence, but Lord Caplet chose not to allow violence in his house. Nevertheless, Table vowed to avenge this insult.
He angrily warns, “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now appearing pleasant, turn into the most bitter resentment.” These words quickly prove to be true when Table confronts Romeo to a duel. Romeo declines the challenge because Table is now his cousin. Mercuric feels ashamed by Romeo’s lack of bravery and fights Table. Romeo tries to intervene and stop them from fighting, but while he separates them, Table seizes the opportunity to stab Mercuric. Furious at Mercuric’s death, Romeo abandons his passive nature and declares, “I am going to act with heavenly vengeance and let fury guide me now.”
Romeo, consumed by anger, kills Tybalt. Now, let’s explore further examples that demonstrate the presence of fate in this play. There is a specific incident that exemplifies fate’s significant role. In Act 5, Scene 1, Romeo recites, “If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep… I dreamt my lady came and found me dead and breathed such life with kisses in my lips I awe.” In this play, Romeo’s dreams consistently manifest into reality, particularly those pertaining to the future. The first dream he mentioned occurred at the Capulet’s party, relating to Juliet’s appearance.
Upon meeting Juliet, Romeo’s depression over losing Rosalie vanished, and the two quickly agreed to marry. Their love was stronger than any other known before. In the play, not only did Romeo’s dreams come true, but also Baluster’s. Blathers speaks of a dream he had under a tree, in which his master fought and killed another. This dream later came true when Romeo killed Table. Shakespeare uses the concept of fate to explain these occurrences, as it was fate that allowed Romeo and Baluster’s dreams to evolve into reality.
Yet another challenge that the star-crossed lovers encountered was the failure of a letter to reach Romeo. The explanation for this incident can be found in Act 5 Scene 2: “Going to find a barefoot brother out… Let here in this city visiting the sick and finding him, the searchers of the town, suspecting that we both were in the house where infectious pestilence did reign, sealed up the doors and would not let us forth, so that my speed to Mantua was stayed.” The probability of such an important letter not reaching Romeo was so incredibly low that it seemed almost unbelievable.
According to Shakespeare, everything was orchestrated by fate. Fate ensured that the letter was not sent and Romeo happened to come across a poison-carrying apothecary. Despite hiding from the prince’s men and sneaking into Gullet’s burial, Romeo consumed the poison and breathed his last breath beside Juliet. When Juliet woke up from the potion’s effects, she discovered her lifeless husband, leading to her own despair-filled demise as she stabbed herself and joined Romeo in death.
Fate played a role in Juliet’s engagement to Paris, a man approved by her father, Lord Capulet. Instead of getting married, Juliet took a different path by consuming a magic potion to avoid it. Another twist of fate led to Romeo being banished after he avenged the death of a close friend by killing a member of the Capulet family. Unaware of Juliet’s plan, Romeo did not realize how she had deceived her family and friends to be with him. The prologue already hinted at the doomed nature of Romeo and Juliet’s love, referring to it as “the fearful passage of their death-marked love.”
Overall, Shakespeare’s portrayal of the existence of Fate in Romeo and Juliet is illustrated through intricate details and the use of figurative language and incidents. The theme of Fate serves as an explanation for the events that unfold in the play. This topic holds significance for readers as it may not only be a mere subject but also a meaningful message. For instance, it highlights the notion that even the most improbable dreams can become a reality if one continues to believe in them.
