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Critical essay - Michelle McNally ? Romeo and Juliet Do you agree that Romeo and
Juliet are star-crossed lovers; that is to say victims of fate or do they
contribute to their own demise? Two households, both alike in dignity. In fair
Verona, where we lay our scene. Form ancient grudge break new mutiny, Where
civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From fourth the fatal lions of these two
foes. A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life. Who’s misadventure piteous
overthrows. Doth with their death bury their parents strife. The fearful passage
of their death marked love. And the continuance of their parent’s rage. Which
but their children’s end naught could remove” - Prologue William Shakespeare.
One of the oldest and most debated questions of all time is whether our lives
are governed by fate or by our personal choice.
A definition of fate would be a
power which is believe to settle ahead of time how things will happen. William
Shakespeare, in Romeo and Juliet, brings this question to the surface. Although
fate seems to control what happens to Romeo and Juliet their choices contribute
more to their fate than fate itself. Although some reasons that Romeo and Juliet
die are out of their control, fate is not the largest reason that the lovers end
up dying. For example, when Romeo hears of Juliet's death before it is brought
to light that it is a false death. Romeo heard of his love's death and rushed to
her side to murder himself so he may lye with Juliet. “Well, Juliet, I will lye
with thee tonight”. (Act 5 Scene 1 Line 34) The choice for Romeo to end his life
is his alone; no one else is responsible for his decision. The unfortunate
circumstance that stops the Friar's assistant from delivering his message also
aids the death of the lover's but does not produce their deaths. Romeo acts
immaturely in the play, as he never considers the consequences of his actions.
If Romeo had not killed Tybalt, Juliet's cousin then he would never have been
banished. Romeo angry and acting how he always does without thinking kills
Tybalt. Tybalt being Juliet's cousin will cause great strain on the relationship
of them both. Romeo may have had a chance of being accepted into Juliet's home
before he killed Tybalt, but certainly not after. Also, Juliet could have
explained to her family about her marriage to Romeo, accepted the consequences
and then there would be no need for the fateful message. She could have also
ended their relationship before it started. “My only love sprung from my only
hate! Too early see unknown, and known too late! prodigious birth of love to me
that i must love a thoathed enemy” (Act 1 Scene 5 Line 138) This should have
been were Juliet realised what may come of their actions. Still, fate or
circumstances above their control do play a large role in determining the fate
of the two young lovers. It seems like Romeo and Juliet has the curse of bad
luck throughout this story.
Fate seems to cause Mercucio to be killed by Tybalt
under Romeo's arm just after Romeo has married Juliet. “A plague a’ both houses,
I am sped” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 90) Mercucio says this as he is dying. It is like
a curse as from this point there nothing but tragedy. Has Mercucio brought them
such fate or was this their destiny from the start. The feud is so relevant in
this play as each time love is mentioned the feud is also. This causes Romeo to
want to take vengeance for Mercucio death and Romeo then slays Tybalt. Hence,
Romeo is forced to leave Verona or die and therefore one more circumstance out
of their control contributes to their deaths. This situation is put on Romeo
without his consent. Romeo and the choice whether or not to avenge Mercucio's
murder. Tybalt does not attack Romeo. Romeo goes after Tybalt with the intent to
kill him. To take it a step further, Romeo could stay in Verona and face the
wake of his actions. Many times Shakespeare refers to fate as being the reason
that they died.
When the prologue uses the phrase Star-crossed lovers” this
indicates William Shakespeare's thoughts on what kills Romeo and Juliet. This
tells the audience that Romeo and Juliet are destined for trouble. Romeo saying
“O, I am fortunes fool” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 138) After he kills Tybalt further
emphasizes the point. Romeo kills Tybalt yet he tries to blame fortune instead
of blaming himself. He says that fortune tricked him and he fell for it. “The
unlucky manage of this fatal brawl” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 143) spoken by the
Benvolio after he hears about the death of Tybalt confirms that Shakespeare
feels that luck is what determines what happens. The fact that they were from
feuding families that hated each other and they still continued their
relationship. Yet, Shakespeare doesn't tell about the poor judgement that the
two young teenagers use. He tries to make it seem that they had no choice in the
matter.
What really plays the biggest part in their death is not fate but the
decisions of the two adolescents. Many choices contributed to the end of Romeo
and Juliet. Romeo's choice to go to the Capulet party where he met Juliet was
one example. Romeo even suspected that there would be consequences of the party,
yet he ignored his feelings. “I fear, too early. For my mind misgives some
consequences, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begun this fearful date
with this night reveals and expire the term of a despised life, close in my
breast, by some vile forfeit of untimely death”. (Act 1 Scene 4 Line 106). Romeo
at this point in the play is very immature this could be what is responsible for
his actions. It is shown in his language. He never gets to the point.
This
language is called hyperbolic. “Love is a smoke made with fume if sighs; being
purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with
lovers tears”. (Act 1 Scene 1 Line 190). Romeo does change in his speech as the
play goes on, this is to show he is genuine about his love for Juliet. “Then
plainly know my heart’s dear love is set on the fair daughter of rich Capulet.
As mine on hers, so hers on mine”. (Act 2 Scene 3 Line 53). Romeo knows that his
family and Juliet's family hates each other. Still, he goes to their party fully
knowing what might happen. Furthermore, Romeo chose to seek after Juliet and to
continue to see her even after he realises she is enemy. He could have just left
and not have returned to her house and gone to her balcony.
By making this
choice he sets up all the problems that occur later. Even if the later events
happen by chance and it seem as if fate was the reason that they died, their
choices put them in that position. Although, Romeo pursued Juliet he isn't the
only reason that they die. Juliet's choices play a large part in deciding their
end. Juliet also becomes immature and inconsiderate here she does not consider
the consequences of her actions Shakespeare uses colour symbolism and binary
oppositions to show Juliet's change. Romeo woos Juliet but Juliet could have
resisted. When he sends for her to marry him, she can decide not to go.
They
also could be honest and tell their parents. The parents might not like it but
at least Romeo and Juliet wouldn't die. When Juliet chooses to drink the potion
and not go with Romeo and leave Verona she makes a way for chance to come into
play. She could have left and lived with Romeo, but she didn't and therefore
suffered for it. She could have ensured that Romeo knew about the plan before
she went ahead with it. Many elements of chance or fate and choice together
decided the outcome of this story of two star-crossed lovers. Yes, things out of
their control helped to kill them but they made the decision to pursue each
other and leave the opening for those things to happen. So, was it choice or
fate? I believe that personal choice is the real nemesis.
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