RJ - Fate/Character Development/Impulsion

Question 1

Whys: 1

Answer 1

Shakespeare argues that fate is often self-inflicted, brought about by a failure to recognise our own flaws or moderate our behaviour.

Question 2

Whys: 2

Answer 2

Romeo and Juliet serve as a warning to the audience against dreaming and behaving impulsively without properly considering actions and their potential consequences.

Question 3

Whys: 3

Answer 3

Through the use of dramatic irony, Shakespeare provides the audience a platform to interrogate the actions of each character and identify how particular decisions lead to tragic outcomes, perhaps in the hope this growing awareness of the correlation between action and repercussion will prompt the audience to be more mindful when making their own decisions.

Question 4

Whys: 4

Answer 4

Shakespeare criticises those within society who fail the vulnerable by providing poorly considered advice, even those with ostensibly good intentions.

Question 5

Whys: 5

Answer 5

Shakespeare criticises excessively passionate behaviour, highlighting how acting recklessly out of love can have the same negative consequences as acting recklessly out of hate.

Question 6

“A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.”

Answer 6

Prologue
The chorus immediately frames their love as doomed by fate. Introduces the idea that destiny controls their path.

Question 8

“Did my heart love till now?”

Answer 8

Act 1 Scene 5
Romeo quickly abandons Rosaline for Juliet. His impulsiveness is romantic, but also foreshadows instability and obsession

Question 9

“It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden.”

Answer 9

Act 2 Scene 2
Juliet hesitates, showing some awareness of their haste. Still, she gives in—highlighting how love clouds judgment.

Question 10

“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”

Answer 10

Act 2 Scene 3
Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about rushing into marriage. Ironically, he agrees to marry them anyway, contributing to the tragedy.

Question 11

“This day’s black fate on more days doth depend.”

Answer 11

Act 3 Scene 1
Romeo senses the deadly consequences of Mercutio’s death. Violence and fate now dominate the play.

Question 12

“Then I defy you, stars!”

Answer 12

Act 5 Scene 1
Romeo believes he can fight fate after hearing of Juliet’s death. His choice to act on grief leads directly to the tragic end

Question 13

“O happy dagger!

Answer 13

Act 5 Scene 3
Juliet’s suicide seals the tragedy. Despite fate’s control, their impulsive choices also cause their downfall. Embraces fate