Fate And Free Will Flashcards
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life
The play’s opening lines tell us that Romeo and Juliet will die, and that their tragic end is fated. “Star-crossed” means “opposed by the stars.” Fatal loins has a double meaning as it could mean fated or deadly. Their births and deaths are described in the same short phrase, which again suggests that their deaths were fated from the moment they were born. An example of dramatic irony
I fear too early, for my mind misgives;
Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars,
Shall bitterly begin
Before meeting Juliet for the first time, Romeo has a feeling that the consequences of his decision will be “bitter”. His use of the word “stars” likely reminds the audience that he is “star-crossed”. Romeo’s fear that he will arrive “too early” points to an important theme of the play as almostevery event in the play happens too early
O, I am fortune’s fool
Using the metaphor ‘fortune’s fool’, Romeo describes himself as a victim of fate. He feels that he had no choice in the matter to kill Tybalt, and that his actions were dictated by a force more powerful than him. However there is an element of remorse in Romeo’s line, showing he regrets his actions
I defy you stars
The phrase itself is paradoxical as the stars represent fate which is inevitable. Yet Romeo’s self-assured hubris makes him believe he is bigger than destiny. Of course, it’s his defiance and determination to be with Juliet that results in their deaths
These violent delights have violent ends
The Friar is potentially foreshadowing the end of the play, perhaps proving the presence of fate. However, despite the lovers being given multiple warnings, they still decided to follow their desires. It could therefore perhaps be argued that their deaths were not a result of fate but their own doing
Can heaven be so envious?
After Juliet is told by the nurse of the huge fight, she believes Romeo is dead and questions the heavens. This shows that she thinks only the spiritual world would have the ability to intervene in their relationship. Once again, Shakespeare is reminding the audience of fate, and how much of a role the spiritual world plays
O Fortune, Fortune! All men call thee fickle.
If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him
That is renowned for faith?
Juliet feels utterly helpless when she says goodbye to her new husband, Romeo. Juliet begs “fortune” to be kind to Romeo and reasons that since Romeo is so full of ‘faith’ , then “fickle” fortune should want nothing to do with him.
A greater power than we can contradict hath thwarted our intents
The Friar, being a religious figure, echoes the belief that a ‘higher power’, such as fate, has ruined their plans
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
When Juliet finds out Romeo is a Montague, she is shocked, emphasised by repetition of ‘only’. She perhaps suggest that if she had known beforehand, she would not have fallen in love but it is now too late. This perhaps shows it was always fate.
This day’s black fate on more days doth depend;
After the death of Mercutio, Romeo predicts that ‘this day’s black fate’, would likely lead to further sorrows. This foreshadows the tragic events to come.
O God, I have an ill-divining soul!
Methinks I see thee, now thou art below,
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look’st pale
In their final scene together alive, Juliet foresees a tragic fate for Romeo, adding a sense of foreboding. The heavy foreshadowing and dramatic tension are further heightened when they both comment on how pale the other looks. The young lovers are both trapped by their tragic fates
Alack, alack, that heaven should practise stratagems upon so soft a subject as myself.
Juliet believes she is a victim as fate is forcing her to marry Paris despite loving Romeo. To her, it seems as if the heavens are conspiring against her.
What must be shall be
Whilst it may sound like she is just accepting her fate, Juliet is actually preparing to take her fate into her own hands, deliberately using ambiguous language when talking to Paris.
