Romeo and Juliet essay

In the play Romeo and juliet by William Shakespeare, the key idea of fate is explored. Shakespeare communicates this idea through the use of metaphorical language, In lines throughout the prologue and apparently unlucky coincidences.

The prologue is the opening is at the very start of the play, yet it describes the ending before the play has started. The prologue explains of the historical feud between the family’s and how two young lover’s death manages to bring the two enemies together. This has been done on purpose to enhance the fact that these characters fate’s have already been chosen. A key example of this is when the prologue says “…A pair of star crossed lovers take their life…” and furthermore “…death mark’d love…” These two statements communicate that the main characters will fall in love yet somewhere along the line there will be major consequences. The prologue then continues to say “With their death, bury their parents strife…” implying that the death of the children will bring the parents closer and break the feud between them. The prologue gives the audience the effect that the characters are simply going through the motions in the play and their fates have been predetermined.

In act 1 scene 4 of the play, Romeo describes himself as a ship on the sea that is controlled by a greater being. By saying this he is implying that every act and decision is out of his hands. This person he is referring to is God and romeo believes throughout the play that god is in control of his fate and how he acts. Romeo states “He that hath the steerage of my course direct my sail.” This simply means that God is the captain of Romeo’s ship and has the power to steer him in any chosen direction that he seems fit. Romeo and Juliet was written in an era during which the majority of people believed in god and that someone other than themselves are in control, the character of Romeo reflects shakespeare’s views. The idea of fate being the dominant factor in determining peoples actions have died out through many years. Now the minority of people believe fate and the act of god also that it controls their movements, behaviour and attitude.

The deadly plague interrupting the course of friar lawrence’s letter to Romeo seems to be a coincidence but in the play it is intended to be a message from God. The letter that is addressed to Romeo, containing news of the Friars plan for Romeo to take juliet from the tomb, does not make the journey because of a plague in the town of Mantua and the people there affriad of further infection. This particular plot twist is essential in determining the fate of the two main characters as without it, Romeo and Juliets death would not come about as soon. In the next scene the letter’s journey is revealed as friar john informs friar Lawrence “…I could not send it…so fearful were they of infection.” The result of this letter not coming to Romeo is that Balthasar, who has seen Juliet’s funeral, arrives in Mantua with news of Juliets death. Romeo, beside himself travels back to Verona to see her one last time. This coincidence is not a coincedence but in the play it is a message from god. God did not believe that the right outcome would come from the letter coming into Romeo’s hands therefore placing a plague on the town and stopping the letter. This is another representation of the play reflecting shakespeares views on religion and the idea of fate being set out for people.

The play of romeo and Juliet uses many language and literary devices in order to communicate the wider idea of fste and how it controls people actions and behaviour in the play. Shakespeare uses mataphors, coincedences and the prologue to give the audience of the play a strong idea of his beliefs on the act of god.