THE THEME OF FATE IN ROMEO AND JULIET

THE THEME OF FATE IN ROMEO AND JULIET

WHAT IS FATE? AND WHERE IN THE PLAY IS IT CONVEYED?

WHAT IS FATE? • In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare explores theme of fate • From the beginning of the play the audience is told what is going to happen • Because we know Romeo and Juliet's fate we are constantly hoping that they will take a different course • However their fate is sealed and they are doomed to die

THE THEME OF FATE IN ROMEO AND JULIET IS WIDELY CONVEYED THROUGH VARIOUS SCENES AND IS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT IN THE FINAL SCENE Fate is represented by stars through out the play

THE PROLOGUE • In the prologue it is evident that Romeo and Juliet's love is “death marked” • They are described as “star cross’d lovers” depicting their ill fated love

QUOTES IN THE PLAY ABOUT FATE The Prologue Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. • In the prologue we are told that Romeo and Juliet will “take their life”, because of this we hope they take a different path.

THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF FATE IN THE PLAY • In the beginning of the play an illiterate Capulet servant asks Romeo to read out the list of guests that will attend Capulet's party • After reading the list, Romeo notices Rosaline’s name was on it, this persuades him to go to party where he will meet his true love Juliet.

FATE IN SCENE ACT 3 SCENE 1

ACT 3 SCENE 1 • In act 3 scene 1, fate is evident when Mercutio curses both households as he dies • “A plague o’ both your houses” • These words remind us of the tragedy that is fated to occur

ROMEO MONTAGUE Quotes About Fate Scene • “My mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars” • Act 1 scene IV • “O! I am fortunes fool” • Act 3 scene I • “I defy you stars!” • Act 5 scene I • “I dreamt my lady came and found me dead” • Act 5 scene I

JULIET CAPULET Quotes about Fate Scene • 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 • Act 3 scene V • Go ask his name: if he be married. My grave is like to be my wedding bed • Act 1 scene V

FATE IN THE FINAL SCENE

THE FINAL SCENE • The tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet come about by a series of unfortunate accidents which occur in this scene • The letter that Friar Laurence sent failed to reach Romeo, now Romeo believes Juliet is really dead • Friar Laurence arrives too late at the vault to prevent Romeos death • Juliet awakes too late to save Romeos life • Friar Laurence is too slow to realise that Juliet intends to die with her lover and escapes without her • The watchmen, summoned by the page arrives too late to prevent the deaths

THE FINAL SCENE • Had these accidental events not happened, the tragedy might have been averted. • It is as if Fate has dictated this tragedy More Quotes “What cursed foot wanders this way tonight? ” – Paris (final scene) “These violent delights have violent ends” – Friar Laurance

QUESTION TIME : )

WHERE IN THE PLAY IS THEME OF FATE CONVEYED?

WHAT ARE THE MAIN 5 UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR WHICH INFLUENCE THE TRAGIC DEATHS?

WHAT SYMBOL BEST REPRESENTS ‘FATE’ IN THE PLAY?

QUOTES ABOUT FATE IN ROMEO AND JULIET • “A pair of ______ lovers” • “_____ mark’d” • “A ____ o’ both your _____” • “My mind misgives some ____ yet hanging in the _____” • “O! I am _______ fool” • “I ____ you _____!” • “I ______ my lady came and found me _____” • “What ______ wanders this way _______”

QUOTES ABOUT FATE IN ROMEO AND JULIET • “O God, I have an _______! Methinks I see thee, now thou art _____, as one ____ in the bottom of a ____” • “Go ask his ____: if he be _______. My _____ is like to be my _______ ___”