romeo and juliet - fate

• how were people in the elizabethan era superstitious?

  they believed in destiny and that their lives were written in the stars
• how does shakespeare use form to convey the message of fate?

  shakespeare uses a sonnet in the prologue which could be his way of saying that everything is planned out by the universe and the stars
• "a pair of star crossed lovers take their life"

  from the prologue

  the audience are immediately told what will happen to romeo and juliet and that they are doomed to fail
• "my grave is like to be my wedding bed"- juliet 1.5


  heavy foreshadowing

  shakespeare constantly reminds the audience that they are not destined to live happily together
• "i am fortune's fool!" - romeo 3.1

  romeo blames fate and presents himself as a victim of destiny

  knows that him and juliet are not meant to be and the universe is working against the two being together
• "some consequence hanging in the stars" - romeo 1.4


  sense of foreboding

  echoing they are "star crossed lovers" and a reminder that their love is doomed
• "i defy you stars!" - romeo 5.1


  displays his hubris (excessive pride)

  believes he is bigger and stronger than fate

  shows his arrogance and defiance
• "these violent delights have violent ends" - friar lawrence 2.6

  foreshadows the fate of romeo and juliet

  they were given multiple warnings but did not listen and were constantly going against their fate