Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Fate in "Romeo and Juliet"
- Emphasizing fate's control over their destinies, the Prologue tells us these "star-cross'd
lovers'" relationship is deathmark'd."
- The lovers will be punished not because of flaws within their personalities but because
fate is against them
- "I fear, too early, for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall
bitterly begin his fearful date With this night's revels, and expire the term Of a
despisèd life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death." Act 1 Scene 4
- fate is used to create dramatic irony as the characters repeatedly foreshadow their deaths when speaking of fate
- "Go ask his name. The Nurse goes. If he be marrièd. My grave is like to be my wedding
bed." Act 1 Scene 5
- "O, I am fortune's fool!" Act 3 Scene 1
- This seems to suggest that fate or "fortune" is responsible for Tybalt's death, not Romeo, showing how fate decides the actions of each character in the play
- O Fortune, Fortune! All men call thee fickle. Act 3 Scene 5
- Juliet references to fortune as fickle, as it has the power to raise to great heights or destroy, much like her love for Romeo
- "I defy you, stars!" Act 5 scene 1
- this shows the power of fate, as although the title characters try to escape it by their recourse to suicide they end up playing into its hands