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Fate In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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The Elizabethan notion of fate, that one’s destiny is predetermined by the stars at birth, is explored in Romeo and Juliet through unwitting actions of characters, dreams and imagery. Fate is depicted as a range of ‘misadventur’d’ coincidences in the plot development. Shakespeare also harnesses the presaging power of omens and dreams to present the limitations of Freewill and the lovers’ impending doom. Figurative devices such as the vivid imagery of light and darkness in the tragedy creates a ‘black and portentous’ atmosphere which allow for the easy manipulations of fate. Shakespeare explores the idea that people had very little control over their actions and therefore destiny which led to their tragic ending. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare explores the concept of fate and how it intertwines with …show more content…

Despite the efforts of some well-meaning characters, they inadvertently become the agents of fate. The play is framed through the prologue which tells of the 'ancient grudge' between 'two households... A pair of starcross'd lovers take their life' (Prologue1-6). If the black flag of tragedy isn't a dead giveaway, the prologue determines the fate of the 'death-mark'd' lovers. The prologue also introduces the 'ancient grudge”, a feud which distances the parents to the children and eliminates opportunities to communicate . Fate's intervention sets up their(Romeo and Juliet) union through an illiterate servant who seeks someone to read a guest list. Romeo who responds 'Ay, mine own fortune'(I,2,58) to be able read the guest list, or his 'fortune' which leads him to Juliet. Fate intervenes in the

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