The Theme of Destiny vs. Coincidence in Romeo and Juliet

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Asma Patel 11.2 English Task 10 Literature Essay- Romeo and Juliet Topic 1: The Theme of Destiny vs. Coincidence Some people do not believe in fate, everything is just merely coincidence, while others believe that our lives are predetermined and “written in the stars”. Although our fate is preordained we can change our destiny by making different choices. Throughout Romeo and Juliet there are aspects that indicate the events happening to be fate and destiny. There are numerous references in the play to celestial bodies. In the beginning if the play in the prologue they are referred to as “star-cross’d lovers”. This is direct reference to the fates and destiny, in Elizabethan times the stars were used to predict future events. By saying they were star-crossed Shakespeare showed the reader that fate had a “hand” in the destiny of this couple. There are also always mentions of other celestial bodies, like the moon, which is used in astrology to determine one’s future. It is a direct reference to destiny and a predetermined fate. The characters in the play are aware that this is the will of Fate. Romeo himself has a premonition about consequences that “shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels” (this is on the night of the Capulet’s party). When Romeo finds out that Juliet is dead he says, “Then I defy you stars”. This relates to the concept of a predetermined destiny as he acknowledges the fact that fate had something to do with his destiny, but by him trying to defy fate he only fulfils it. The intense attraction they felt had a sense of rightness, destiny, as if it was fate that had them meeting and falling in love. The fact that Romeo and Juliet were from feuding families and they only discovered this after they met and fell in love emphasises their preordained fate. The moment they met their deaths had already happened.

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