Fate/Freewill Flashcards
How does Shakespeare present fate and freewill?
R&J used as a vehicle to highlight power of fate in comparison to freewill - by presenting fate as cruel, inescapable force
How does Shakespeare do this?
Definite events masked as a result of a characters choices, when it had been laid out from the start (proleptic irony from prologue); one can never truly escape their destiny.
Why does Shakespeare do this?
Demonstrate how nothing in this world is a choice but result of higher power - widely believed by devout Christians of renaissance, perhaps criticised by contemporary.
At the beginning of the play…
“Fatal loins”
“Star-cross’d lovers”
(Mentioned early on!!)
“Some consequence yet hanging in the stars”
(hanging shows how heavily R believes actions led by fate; relinquishes control over own life decisions)
As the play progresses…
“Violent delights have violent ends” (conviction of ‘have’ shows Friar surrendering; acknowledgement that actions lead to predetermined consequences)
“O, I am fortune’s fool!” (Apostrophe - Romeo belongs to fate, inescapable & domineering)
“Be fickle fortune” (J encouraging fate to change, plea as last resort)
At the close of the play…
“A greater power than we can contradict, hath thwarted our intent” (fate more powerful than will, cannot oppose, Friar realises power)
“I defy you, stars!” (hatred to cruelty)
“What further woe conspire against my age?”
“That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love” (fate ‘finds means’, actively seeks, power over will)
