Shakespeare uses the theme of fate throughout the play to remind the audience of Romeo and Juliet fate and show it is predestined and that there is no way to change it. This enforces the tragedy of the play as the audience is told that they die from the start, then get to know the characters, whilst being continuously reminded of their fate. The underlying theme of fate can also be interpreted as Shakespeare suggesting humans are pawns in a larger cosmic plan and uses his characters throughout the play to show whatever actions and paths they take the same tragic outcome will still occur.
