SHAKESPEARE is my Homeboy

Tragic Circumstances in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular tragedies. The plot examines the tragic implications of a love relationship between two "star-cross'd lovers" (I. i, 6). The play, which was written early in Shakespeare's career, is filled with flowery verse, imagery and metaphor. These devices help to elevate the tragic nature of the play. Another way in which Shakespeare heightens the tragedy of this play is to introduce the element of "fate" repeatedly throughout the play. Shakespeare trys to gain the audiences empathy for the central characters by constantly reminding us of their tragic fate.He achieves this empathy in two ways. First, he begins the play with a prologue which reveals the tragic outcome of the play. Secondly, the title characters are constantly foreshadowing their impending doom. In this paper, I will demonstrate how much of the play's tragic circumstances can be attributed to fate.

References to fate can be found in much of Romeo's dialogue throughout the play. "My mind misgives/ Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/With this night's revels..." (I, iii, 106-109). He is constantly foreshadowing his bitter end. Such examples can also be found in Juliet's language, as well. "Come, cords, come, nurse, I'll to my wedding-bed,/ And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead" (III, ii, 85-86)!

Romeo and Juliet can strongly be interpreted as a tragedy of fate. Much of the plays action can be seen as purely chance happening. Some would argue, rather, that the play is a tragedy of circumstance, and the characters are fully in control of their action. I would argue that the play should be seen to sythesize these two extremes. I see the characters equally responsible for their eventual doom as to what they themselves choose to attribute to their destiny.

There are many plot factors beyond the title characters control. For example, Romeo and Juliet are born into families set against each other in a longstanding feud. Also, their behavior and responses to the events of the play are reflective of their youth (over which they have no control). The speed in which they fall in love, and commit themselves to each other in death are examples of their youthful nature. By highlighting the youthfulness of the central characters, Shakespeare is able to heighten the inevitability of the tragedy. It seems impossible to imagine two lovers so young handling the situation any differently.

Beyond these factors, the play offers more substantial support for the idea of a fatalistic tragedy. For example, the way in which Romeo and Juliet happen to first meet at the Capulet dinner party.Also, the fact that Juliet is arranged to marry Paris by her father on the same day that she was set to marry Romeo can be seen as a fateful accident or coincidence. Another example of the fateful events which fill this play can be found in the way in which Romeo discovers Juliet in the tomb. It is a fateful and tragic turn of events that Romeo should happen to arrive at the tomb and find Juliet in the appearance of death before Friar Lawrence is able to arrive and explain the situation. In this sense, it can be argued that time and fate have cursed Romeo, and drive him ultimately to take his own life.

Much of the action of the play, however, is under the direct control of the characters, such as Romeo's rash decision to commit suicide. Also, after the death of Mercutio, it is Romeo's decision for revenge that leads him to pursue and ultimately murder Tybalt. This act of murder, over which Romeo had complete control, was the first event which led to his eventual undoing.

Ultimately, it can be argued the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a story of circumstances neither a situation fully beyond the characters control, nor fully their own fault. While heavily influenced with languages that reference "fate," Shakespeare has created a story of young and foolish lovers. I would argue that it is important that the play should be seen as a combination of both fate and folly which lead the young lovers to their tragic end.