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Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Essay

Decent Essays

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet are described as a "pair of star-crossed lovers." Write about the way in which fate is shown to contribute to their tragedy. "Romeo and Juliet" would have been performed to an Elizabethan audience. The Elizabethan audience believed very strongly in "fate" and "fortune". They believed in the power of herbs, the sun and the stars. Herbs had to be picked at certain times of the day for them to work, according to the stars. There was also the belief of a Wheel of Fortune which changed continuously. Fate was destined to happen and no one could alter it. Right from the beginning of the play we know that Romeo and Juliet have "death marked …show more content…

Her parents however feel that she is longing for her "dear cousin" Tybalt and think that marriage will improve on her sadness. In Elizabethan times sadness often lead to madness which was another reason to why Lord Capulet wanted to marry his only daughter. Juliet decides to take a "distilling liquor drink" which will give her the "borrowed likeness of shrunk death" deceiving all who are close to her. They also defy fate when they both kill themselves to be together in heaven. Romeo's and Juliet's actions are influenced by fate because if fate had not done what "he dare" they would not have acted so irrationally. In a way Romeo and Juliet also made their own fate in the methods above because they continuously challenged fate and acted at speed. The play has a number of incidents when it is suggested that fate plays a part. In every act there is an event when you can detect fate and the "Wheel of Fortune" turning. The first incident is how Romeo and Juliet meet. They meet at the Capulet party and Romeo shouldn't even be there as he is a "foe" as he is a "Montague." As soon as Romeo sets eyes on Juliet he feels her "beauty" is "too rich for use" and is instantly in love. So right from the beginning fate plays a part as it brings the "star crossed lovers" together. Fate also plays a part as Romeos and Juliet's "love" has

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