fate

• how is fate presented?

  -characters' lives are preordained

  -Elizabethan society thought God was in charge of fate and they were very religious

  -fate and religion was central in Elizabethan society

  -death is referred to a lot in the play, that is how the play ends
• fate leads to characters taking no responsibility

  Shakespeare may be suggesting people should take responsibility for their lives to avoid the consequences of fate
• "I am fortunes' fool" Romeo

  "Star cross'd lovers" Prologue

  "I defy you stars" Romeo

  "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars" Romeo