Destiny in Romeo and Juliet

A large part of the beliefs for both Romeo and Juliet involve fate. They believe in the stars, and that their actions aren’t always their own. Romeo, for example, says, "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars...by some vile forfeit of untimely death/But he that hath the steerage over my course Direct my sail" (1.iv.115-120). He's saying to his friends that he had a dream which leads him to believe that he will die young because of something in the stars, something that will happen. The words "...he that hath steerage over my course..." i

. . .
He does not feel that he is the one who makes decisions; it is all a higher purpose, a different power.

Fate is clearly the most dominant force in the play. They realize later their identity, but they are in love and won't let their names get in the way of that strong emotional bind. mplies that he does not have control over his life if he looks to another power above himself to direct him. In the end, it was their own actions that brought upon their deaths. Fate brings Romeo and Juliet together, and sets up their love. Though it seems like an honest accident that Balthasar is the one to tell Romeo about the turn of events, it is more likely that fate holds a much greater influence. How could she have seen the future if it wasn't already decided for her?

It is also a result of fate that Friar Lawrence's plan eventually leads to Romeo and Juliet's demise. By fate, Balthasar comes to Romeo and tells him what he believes to be true, but the piece of information he offers is a cause of the tragedy. The flaws in the friar's plan leaves Romeo a desire to die, which leads Juliet and Romeo to their destiny: death. She sees Romeo dead in a tomb, which is where he eventually ends up, beside her.

Common topics in this essay:
Romeo Juliet, Romeo Benvolio, Balthasar Juliet's, IIIv55 Romeo, , Romeo Juliet's, Juliet Romeo, William Shakespeare, Friar Lawrence's, romeo juliet, William Shakespeare's, hath steerage, steerage course, comes romeo, romeo benvolio, sets love, hath steerage course,

Approximate Word count = 668
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Already a member? Click here