FATE
Shakespeare uses Act 1 Scene 4 to expand on the idea of fate being a large factor in the events
that take place within the play.
Romeo uses a multitude of worrying abstract noun phrases such as “mind misgives” to build up
anticipation to the dreadful events that take place later in the play. His talk of a consequence
“hanging in the stars” echoes the ideas of two 'star-crossed” lovers and reminds the audience of
how the loves are in a way, doomed.
In this scene the Friar discusses the duality within flowers and other elements of nature,
perhaps suggesting a coexistence between good and evil. By bringing in the natural imagery of
the “baleful weeds” and the “precious-juiced flowers”, Shakespeare creates almost a sense of
certainty in this coexistence. This natural imagery further ties in with the themes of fate as the
Friar discusses the natural and definite cycle of birth and death . He describes the “burying
grave that is [a mother's] womb”, which foreshadows the death that comes up later in the play.
Romeos death
When Juliet thinks that Romeo is dead, instead of regarding the possible things on Earth that
could have killed him she asks if “heaven [could] be so envious”. This shows that she could only
think of the spiritual world as having the ability to intervene in their relationship.
Once more Shakespeare is reminding the audience of fate, and how much of a role the spiritual
world plays in this play. Romeo’s belief that he can “defy the stars” shows his self-assured
hubris (excessive pride) and belief that he is bigger than fate, destiny and the stars
.In Greek Mythology, hubris is followed by nemesis, fate and destruction. This echoes in what
we see in the play as Romeo's belief that can change his fate leads to total destruction. Also
allusion to the Hebrew idea in bible that ‘pride goes against destruction’
This allows his character to be defiant and arrogant. Romeo’s death is further foreshadowed
when Juliet compares Romeo’s love to “lightning”.
Lightning has connotations of destruction and intensity which almost foreshadows the
destruction that the love between Romeo and Juliet creates. Alternatively, it suggests the power
and overwhelming and quick nature of their love. Shakespeare then says that love “doth cease
to be” , indicating that love has to have an end. Here, Shakespeare fills this scene with the
foreshadowing that the love between Romeo and Juliet will “cease to be”.
Free will
Although there is a great level of destiny involved in Romeo and Juliet love story, the two lovers
also make conscious decisions which contribute to their tragic ending.
, In Act 2 scene 6 the Friar says “these violent delights have violent ends” which foreshadows
the tragic ending of the lovers' story. It could be argued that this warning by the Friar
foreshadows the end of the play and proves that fate is very much at work.
However, Romeo and Juliet were giving multiple warnings like this one but still decided to follow
their desires. It could therefore be argued as not being fate but as a result of teenagers following
their own desires. Perhaps the power of Romeo and Juliet’s love is so powerful that forces like
free will cannot even affect it. The Elizabethan audience was incredibly superstitious and would
have been receptive to this belief, the concept of fate would have increased the tension and
intrigue of the tragedy.
Gender Roles
Juliet is seen as being just as intelligent as she finishes Romeo’s rhymes which only
Mercutio and Benvolio are seen doing; this can be seen in Act 1 Scene 5 when the
lovers first meet.
Act 1 Scene 5
Juliet: “Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake/ Romeo: Then move not
while my prayer’s effect I take.”
First 14 lines of dialogue between the two protagonists form a Shakespearan sonnet
- indicates romance and love. The call and response in the sonnet rhyme scheme,
finished by a rhyming couplet echoes the characters’ compatibility; it also implies the
reciprocation of love. Romance is also expressed as a religious experience,
conveyed by the allegory of saints praying.
This indicates that Juliet is well educated, as she is able to keep up with men who
would have been privileged with an education. Thus, Juliet can be seen as a
revolutionary character, who does not perpetuate the narrative archetype she has
been written into. Unlike most women of her status, she rejects societal expectations
and rules in order to pursue her love with Romeo.
From the beginning of the play we know there is a feud between the Montagues and Capulets
however the audience doesn’t know the cause of this. Instead, all they are told in the prologue is
that it is an “ancient grudge”.
No one knows what the feud is about and so it has been manipulated into something based on
male pride, with no side willing to back down to create peace. Masculinity and male pride is
often associated with destructive behaviour, as shown in Act 1 Scene 1.
Shakespeare uses Act 1 Scene 4 to expand on the idea of fate being a large factor in the events
that take place within the play.
Romeo uses a multitude of worrying abstract noun phrases such as “mind misgives” to build up
anticipation to the dreadful events that take place later in the play. His talk of a consequence
“hanging in the stars” echoes the ideas of two 'star-crossed” lovers and reminds the audience of
how the loves are in a way, doomed.
In this scene the Friar discusses the duality within flowers and other elements of nature,
perhaps suggesting a coexistence between good and evil. By bringing in the natural imagery of
the “baleful weeds” and the “precious-juiced flowers”, Shakespeare creates almost a sense of
certainty in this coexistence. This natural imagery further ties in with the themes of fate as the
Friar discusses the natural and definite cycle of birth and death . He describes the “burying
grave that is [a mother's] womb”, which foreshadows the death that comes up later in the play.
Romeos death
When Juliet thinks that Romeo is dead, instead of regarding the possible things on Earth that
could have killed him she asks if “heaven [could] be so envious”. This shows that she could only
think of the spiritual world as having the ability to intervene in their relationship.
Once more Shakespeare is reminding the audience of fate, and how much of a role the spiritual
world plays in this play. Romeo’s belief that he can “defy the stars” shows his self-assured
hubris (excessive pride) and belief that he is bigger than fate, destiny and the stars
.In Greek Mythology, hubris is followed by nemesis, fate and destruction. This echoes in what
we see in the play as Romeo's belief that can change his fate leads to total destruction. Also
allusion to the Hebrew idea in bible that ‘pride goes against destruction’
This allows his character to be defiant and arrogant. Romeo’s death is further foreshadowed
when Juliet compares Romeo’s love to “lightning”.
Lightning has connotations of destruction and intensity which almost foreshadows the
destruction that the love between Romeo and Juliet creates. Alternatively, it suggests the power
and overwhelming and quick nature of their love. Shakespeare then says that love “doth cease
to be” , indicating that love has to have an end. Here, Shakespeare fills this scene with the
foreshadowing that the love between Romeo and Juliet will “cease to be”.
Free will
Although there is a great level of destiny involved in Romeo and Juliet love story, the two lovers
also make conscious decisions which contribute to their tragic ending.
, In Act 2 scene 6 the Friar says “these violent delights have violent ends” which foreshadows
the tragic ending of the lovers' story. It could be argued that this warning by the Friar
foreshadows the end of the play and proves that fate is very much at work.
However, Romeo and Juliet were giving multiple warnings like this one but still decided to follow
their desires. It could therefore be argued as not being fate but as a result of teenagers following
their own desires. Perhaps the power of Romeo and Juliet’s love is so powerful that forces like
free will cannot even affect it. The Elizabethan audience was incredibly superstitious and would
have been receptive to this belief, the concept of fate would have increased the tension and
intrigue of the tragedy.
Gender Roles
Juliet is seen as being just as intelligent as she finishes Romeo’s rhymes which only
Mercutio and Benvolio are seen doing; this can be seen in Act 1 Scene 5 when the
lovers first meet.
Act 1 Scene 5
Juliet: “Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake/ Romeo: Then move not
while my prayer’s effect I take.”
First 14 lines of dialogue between the two protagonists form a Shakespearan sonnet
- indicates romance and love. The call and response in the sonnet rhyme scheme,
finished by a rhyming couplet echoes the characters’ compatibility; it also implies the
reciprocation of love. Romance is also expressed as a religious experience,
conveyed by the allegory of saints praying.
This indicates that Juliet is well educated, as she is able to keep up with men who
would have been privileged with an education. Thus, Juliet can be seen as a
revolutionary character, who does not perpetuate the narrative archetype she has
been written into. Unlike most women of her status, she rejects societal expectations
and rules in order to pursue her love with Romeo.
From the beginning of the play we know there is a feud between the Montagues and Capulets
however the audience doesn’t know the cause of this. Instead, all they are told in the prologue is
that it is an “ancient grudge”.
No one knows what the feud is about and so it has been manipulated into something based on
male pride, with no side willing to back down to create peace. Masculinity and male pride is
often associated with destructive behaviour, as shown in Act 1 Scene 1.
