Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a classic work of drama wherein the conflict between universal fate and free will serves as the driving force behind the entire plotline from the very first page. Based in the fictional city-state of Verona amid the age-old feud between the Montagues and Capulets, Romeo and Juliet is the tragic love story of two young individuals who appear to be destined for disaster right from the start. While fate appears to be the dominant factor throughout the narrative, an analysis of the text clearly shows that the real reason for the tragic occurrence lies in poor decision-making, imprudent judgments, and uncontrolled emotions.
Throughout the entire course of Romeo and Juliet, the theme of fate has been used effectively to generate a sense of dramatic irony concerning what will happen at various points during the progression of events. In Romeo and Juliet, the famous opening lines spoken by the Prologue state that the two protagonists were “star-crossed lovers”, implying that both their births and deaths were predestined through astronomical events (“From forth the fatal loins of these two foes / A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”) (Prologue 5–6). This was a period in which astrology was common practice within society; the audience would have believed strongly in the role played by celestial bodies in dictating human life and death (Cavanagh 10). Indeed, Romeo is portrayed as having premonitions of ill-fate, commenting on approaching the feast held by the Capulets, that “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date” (1.4.114–15). Nevertheless, it must be recognized that the celestial theme serves merely as a metaphorical framework for analysis, rather than being a literal influence upon the decisions taken.
Although there seems to be abundant imagery concerning “fortune,” it becomes evident in the progression of the plot of the play that individual free will is at stake throughout the entire narrative. To begin with, Romeo did not find himself at the Capulet ball because he was compelled to attend; instead, he chose to go because he wanted to lament over Rosaline. Furthermore, Tybalt’s aggressive nature and disrespect towards the order issued by Lord Capulet during the party were determined by his own pride rather than any divine intervention. Most significantly, the pivotal event in the entire narrative, namely the street fight scene, demonstrates this theme of freedom of choice very effectively indeed. Following Tybalt’s killing of Mercutio, Romeo undergoes intense pain and rage, which leads him to make a conscious decision to take revenge: “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now” (3.1.129). Once Tybalt is dead, he cries, “O, I am Fortune’s fool!” (3.1.142). In this case, Romeo tries to justify his actions by absolving himself of the murder committed against Tybalt and blaming Fortune. According to Peterson, an early modern dramatist usually referred to fate to conceal themselves from blame, given the terrible effects produced by their own reckless decisions (Peterson 97).
In addition, the tragic resolution is greatly exacerbated by the defective advice and arbitrary discretion exhibited by the adults in Verona, who have failed to appreciate their own responsibility for steering the youth out of a dead-end situation. For example, Friar Lawrence, who plays the part of a paternal authority figure, consistently opts for risky gambits instead of engaging in straightforward negotiation. The former involves marrying Romeo and Juliet in secrecy and subsequently administering Juliet with a sleeping potion, all in an effort to control a social rift through manipulation. Meanwhile, the irrational ultimatum issued by Lord Capulet requiring Juliet to marry Paris drives her into sheer desperation, alienating herself completely from the only person whom she relies on, the Nurse. Neither Friar Lawrence’s perilous plan nor Capulet’s volatile character has anything to do with destiny.
The climax inside the tomb belonging to the Capulets shows clearly how the final victory belongs to human decisions against divine providence. Although there is some element of unfortunate chance here when a plague quarantine stops Friar John from delivering the message to Romeo, the death blow results from a purely human choice. Romeo hears that Juliet is dead, immediately buys a deadly poison and, finding her seemingly lifeless in the tomb, swallows it without any further questioning or consideration. Soon enough, after Romeo dies, Juliet awakens to discover his corpse, and rejects the suggestion by Friar Lawrence that she be taken away to a convent. Instead, Juliet decides to stab herself with Romeo’s dagger. These deaths result from deliberate choices made by Romeo and Juliet driven by immense love and sorrow.
In summary, in the play Romeo and Juliet, it can be said that there is an intricate fusion whereby fate creates the tragic setting, while free will delivers the devastation. Shakespeare created a world where stars affect people’s feelings but leave humans to make decisions themselves. This was clearly seen in the feud which started due to people’s animosity; increased by human arrogance, and ended by human sacrifice. If one were to blame Romeo and Juliet’s demise only on the stars’ positioning at that time, he/she misses out on Shakespeare’s profound moral lesson regarding the actual destructive ramifications of uncontrolled love, enmity, and rash judgments.
