Romeo and Juliet - fate and free will theme Flashcards
” a pair of star cross’d lovers take their lives - prologue
Deep Word-Level Analysis:
The adjective “star-cross’d” derives from the Elizabethan belief in astrology, implying that the lovers’ fates are predestined by the alignment of the stars. The compound construction of the word enforces the idea of an unbreakable celestial decree.
The verb “take” paradoxically suggests an element of agency—while fate has dictated their end, the choice of suicide remains their own, introducing the paradox of fatalistic free will.
Higher-Order Literary Techniques:
Fatalistic determinism – Shakespeare embeds the lovers’ doom within the very fabric of the universe, reinforcing the idea that their destinies are interwoven with cosmic forces beyond human control.
Dramatic prolepsis – By revealing their deaths in the prologue, Shakespeare entraps the audience in a deterministic structure, creating a sense of inescapable tragedy.
Iambic pentameter and sonnet form – The formal structure of the prologue mimics a Shakespearean sonnet, traditionally associated with love, yet it is subverted to foreshadow death, heightening the play’s tragic irony.
Effect on the Reader: The inevitability of their deaths instills a sense of helplessness in the audience, positioning them as passive observers to an unalterable fate, while simultaneously prompting them to question whether individual actions can ever transcend destiny.
In the 16th century, many Elizabethans believed in astrology and that one’s fate was inscribed in the stars. By invoking celestial determinism, Shakespeare aligns the lovers’ tragedy with a divine plan, reinforcing contemporary ideas of predestination.
However, by introducing the idea of personal agency (through suicide), Shakespeare challenges the rigid determinism of his era, suggesting that human decisions also shape one’s destiny.
” o i am fortunes fool “ - romeo
