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Free Will In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo and Juliet Fate or Free-Will Fate is defined as “a powerful force that is believed to control what happens in the future.” In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet we are able to see how the theme of fate is cleverly infiltrated through events and dialogue throughout the play. Fate is mainly evident through the actions of Lord Capulet’s Servingman, Friar John, the timing of Romeo and Juliet’s death, and how the Montague’s and Capulet’s feud and been put to rest due to the tragedy in their lives. The first fated event was introduced to us in Act I Scene II, when Lord Capulet after finishing his conversation with Paris, regarding his request to marry Juliet, handed over a list of names to the Servingman and orders him to: [Rom. …show more content…
The Servingman did not want to go back to Lord Capulet in Fear or embarrassment, and just then Romeo and Benvolio enters the servant not knowing who they were asked for assistance in reading the list. This according to Benvolio would have been a perfect way to take Romeo’s mind off of Rosaline, however Romeo when viewing the list saw Rosaline’s name on the list and though it would have been a perfect opportunity to see her again. Fate, had other plans, if the Servingman did not encounter Benvolio and Romeo, Romeo would never have gone to the ball and never met Juliet. Fate made this meeting happen. From this point onwards we were presented with various “signs” of fate that their love was doomed, from Romeo’s sense of something was going to …show more content…
Then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger This is they sheath. There rust, and let me die.”
Romeo and Juliet’s had been fate had been fulfilled for these “star-crossed lovers,” however the prologue also stated:
“A pair of star crossed lovers take their life: Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents’ Strife”

The quote state that the fate of Romeo and Juliet’s meeting, falling in love and their death would end the feud of the Montague’s and Capulet’s. All events leading up to the death of Romeo and Juliet was paving the way for the two families to unit, and Friar Lawrence believed that when he stated:
[Rom. II.III.97-99]
“In one respect I’ll they assistant be, For this alliance may prove To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.”

Upon reading the prologue and then reading the play. The feud between the Montague’s and Capulet’s was “fated” to end by the meeting, falling in love, and the deaths of their children. All this was to have them understand the deadly cost of their feud, the loss of Tybalt, Mercutio, Paris Lady Montague, and ultimately Romeo and Juliet was not worth the “feud.” As the prince stated:
[Rom. V.III.301-305]
“Where be these enemies? Capulet,

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