Doe 1
Jane Doe
Ms. Lazzara
ENG1D1-03
10 November 2011
Fate Takes Toll On Star Crossed Lovers
In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet fate plays an important role; Romeo and
Juliet are “star crossed lovers” with fate continuously trying to separate them in any way
possible, eventually leading to the death of the protagonists. Even prior to meeting Juliet,
fate attempts to keep the two apart. This is obvious when Romeo foresees a negative
omen regarding his fate. Before entering the Capulet household he states, “my mind
misgives/ some consequence yet hanging in the stars/shall bitterly begin this fearful date”
(1.4.106-108). Fate is visible in the quote when Romeo mentions a “consequence hanging
in the stars,” foreshadowing his imminent death and the likelihood of something negative
occurring at this party. By ignoring his fate and consequently the foreshadowing of his
death, Romeo propels himself towards his downfall. Similarly, that the lovers are
destined to not be together is shown in their continuous separation throughout the play.
Nurse tells Juliet the bad news about Romeo’s banishment and her cousin, Tybalt’s,
death. Juliet replies to Nurse saying, “Tybalt is dead and is Romeo banished;/that
‘banished’ that one word ‘banished’/Hath slain ten thousand Tybalt’s. Tybalt's death/was
woe enough, if it had ended there”(3.2.112-115). Fate’s actions are shown when Romeo
and Juliet are separated the day after they are married. Juliet highlights her depression by
employing verbal irony to compare his banishment to “ten thousand Tybalts” being slain.
Since they are star crossed lovers and are not destined to be together fate will keep them
Doe 2
separate in any way possible. Lastly, fate is obvious through Romeo’s final actions of
visiting an Apothecary to end his life. Romeo says, “Come cardinal and not poison, go
with me to Juliet’s grave where I must use thee”(5.1.88-89). The significance of the quote
is to show how Romeo gets frustrated with fate keeping them apart and decides to poison
himself so he can be with Juliet in the afterlife. Fate relates to the quote because poison
symbolizes fate/death which is described in the prologue, their fates are already doomed
and they are destined to die tragically. Therefore, it is Romeo and Juliet’s decisions to
ignore many negative signs about their marriage and fate’s conclusion is to end their lives
miserably. Due to all of these events fate takes on a major role in the play Romeo and
Juliet ultimately keeping them apart and leading to their imminent downfall and death.
Doe 3
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Don Mills: Oxford University Press, 2011.