How is this concept explored within Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
2014 (1st, 18/20)
Do you believe in fate? To answer this question, you should have a proper understanding of what fate is. There are varying connotations of the word “fate”, nonetheless, it would be classified as the power that predetermines a course of events. Good morrow teachers and students of year 11 English Standard, I’m Angela Lim. It is my pleasure to enlighten you on how fate determines an individual’s life through the examples found in one of the most prominent tragedy plays of all time, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare. So, does this mean that we do not have free will? Certainly no. Free will undeniably exists, one’s own action and choice will have a direct impact on one’s life, but ultimately conclude in one’s inevitable predetermined fate.
We are able to encounter the principle of “fate determines an individual’s life” in Romeo and Juliet, however, it may be displayed in a different form. During Shakespeare’s time, people strongly believed in astrology, the philosophy that a person’s life was partly determined by the stars and the planets. This idea of fate manifests from the very beginning of the play when the chorus informs, “a pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”, (Prologue, 6). The verse foretells the first proclamation of disaster through the use of astrological reference, “star-cross’d” originally meaning “thwarted by a malign star”. This creates a suspense for us as the audience while introducing the idea of “life determined by fate”. The thrill is once more added through the use of sound techniques such as alliteration from l in “lover” and “life” and the structure of the sonnet. Interesting to note that, the entire prologue is written in a sonnet, a popular form of 16th century love poems. Shakespeare chooses this poetic form to outline the play's main theme of love which will be discussed subsequently. Even though the traditional belief of “fate triumphs” is conveyed in this quote, he also embraces the idea of fate due to free will through hints of hope that the two young lovers may overcome the power of fate. Nevertheless, ultimately they end their course of lives in their inevitable predetermined fate, encapsulating the fact that fate determines an individual’s life.
Romeo and Juliet is renowned for the best tragic love story ever told. In saying that, love plays the main role of presenting the idea of “fate controls one’s life”. This is seen from the very early stage of the story. “Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed in. Laura to his lady was but a kitchen-wench— marry, she had a better love to berhyme her—Dido a dowdy, Cleopatra a gypsy, Helen and Hero hildings and harlots, Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose” (2.4, 34- 38). Mercutio ridicules Romeo of writing love poetry to his “current” love, Rosaline, alluding to the Italian poet, Petrarch. He utilises historical and literary allusion to compare the six women who inspired love poetry to Rosaline, sarcastically claiming she is favourable. The repetition of “a” in “she had a ... Dido a... Cleopatra a” and alliteration in “Dido a dowdy” or “Helen and Hero” adds rhythm and rhyme and assist the verses to flow more smoothly and easily mentally retained. However, this technique serves a higher purpose, it creates a nuance to Shakespeare’s intention of introducing fateful forecasts that will befall Romeo and Juliet. Correspondingly, the six mythical and historical women are known to have ill-fated endings. Dido, Cleopatra and Thisbe committed suicide. Helen led to the destruction of Troy and the lover of Hero was drowned. Among six women, Dido, Cleopatra and Helen are suspected to be actual historical figures. The representation of fate in Romeo and Juliet and the historical facts demonstrates the true power of fate in physical existence and how it ultimately determines our lives.
Fate, which Prince names it “Heaven” (5.3, 293), or Friar calls it the "greater power”, acts as the most dominant power in the play, proposing the theme of power. This is crucial as it demonstrates how fate cannot be contradicted, hence fate determines one’s life. "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars... With the night’s revels, and expire the term / Of a despised life closed in my breast, / By some vile forfeit of untimely death / But he that hath the steerage over my course / Direct my sail" (1.5, 107-113). From this extract, the audience is informed on Romeo’s premonition of death, the "consequence", which will result by going to Capulet’s feast. He believes that a higher power is who makes every decisions, not himself, relating back to the Elizabethan attitude towards fate. Thus he seeks for guidance from the power of fate. The use of legal language, such as ‘untimely’, ‘date’ and ‘expire the term’, creates an ominous tone and accentuate the authority of fate. This belief does not apply only for Romeo, it is also evident when Friar tries to persuade Juliet out of the tomb. "A greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents." (5.3.153-154). Friar tells Juliet that it is a result of fate that flaws agonize the plan, which eventually leads to the lovers’ utmost and dire demise. The personified fate amplifies its power and illustrates how fate cannot be contradicted and it always has its way in the end.
The theme of rebellion, the refusal to obey and challenge against an authority, carries out its duty of revealing the inevitability of fate in the play, consequently, directing an individual’s life. Clearly, Romeo and Juliet are hugely defiant of all the external forces and try to determine their own future. This is seen when Romeo cries out “Then I defy you, stars” (5.1, 24), after learning of Juliet’s death. Romeo personifies stars as his enemy, and as we have previously discussed stars symbolising fate through the astrological reference, fate seems to be an enemy that the lovers try to overcome. The tragic part of this exclamation is, as the technique of dramatic irony is utilised, we as the audience are already aware of the ending and the inevitability of fate. It is not the lovers' flaws that lead them to ruin, and as a result, there is a little growth of character, a significant factor which introduces the change in characters’ persona. Romeo reshapes from being a peacekeeper to someone who defies the norm and acts irrationally without considering consequences. Also, Juliet who has been an obedient daughter begins to change. The change represents the power of fate that has ability to transform individual’s perspectives. Ultimately, this quote epitomises the inevitability of fate and how it dictates an individual’s life as well as one’s characteristic.
So, here’s the lesson, fate clearly determines an individual’s life. Shakespeare’s brilliant presentation of the actual examples of fate such as the historical facts and the astrological reference, the literary techniques such as alliteration, repetition, allusion and so on, and the themes of love, higher power and rebellion, collaborate together to provide a factual information or to create a nuance from its meaning and collectively best exemplifying the idea of “fate determines an individual’s life”. It is interesting to consider how powerful fate can be in shaping our lives. Fate is indeed inexplicable and inevitable. Now, let me round off with this one question, “Do you believe in fate?”
Comments