Fate and Astrology

• Fate and Astrology

  • The Elizabethans as a generation had a particular interest in astrology and Queen Elizabeth famously had her own personal astrologer who provided her with advice based on how he interpreted her fate through the stars.
  • The term “star-cross’d” was coined by Shakespeare and stems from the inherent belief Shakespeare’s generation had in the immense power of celestial bodies (stars, planets, the moon etc).
  • JW Draper writes in his article ‘generally accepted astrology as a science’ that ‘everyone knew the moon governed the rise and fall of the tides; and what is man that he should escape such power?’, which surmises the Elizabethan belief in astrology nicely.
• Link to Play

  • The prologue of the plays introduces themes of fate and determinism, which is where the phrase “star-cross’d” originates from.
  • It gives the play a sort of nihilistic feel because we know from the onset that no matter what the lovers do, they cannot escape their fate. Shakespeare show fate to be insurmountable (cannot overcome), attributing a huge amount of power to the stars.
  • Furthermore astrology links to horoscopes. Juliet is born on Lammas Eve which makes her a Leo. She is an exemplary Leo, fiery and determined. This reinforces the power celestial bodies have over humans.