Romeo and Juliet- Victims of Fate or Choice Essay Example

sight! For I never saw true beauty until this night." (1. 5.

53 ) When Romeo and Juliet have their reunion, they plan to get married. They believe that their love is so powerful that they must be meant to be together. Romeo immediately goes to seek advice from Friar Laurence and ask him to marry him and Juliet. They did not inform their families or anyone else about this. The Friar tries to caution Romeo about rushing into love with Juliet by reminding him that he was previously in love with Rosaline, saying "Holy Saint Francis".

What a change is here! It's Rosaline, whom you loved so much. So quickly abandoned? (2.3.65-67).

Despite the obstacles, Romeo decided to marry them anyway. He secretly spends the night with Juliet for their wedding. Both lovers show similar characteristics: Juliet is impulsive and takes risks, marrying Romeo without her parents' permission, despite knowing she is supposed to marry Paris soon. She also allows Romeo into her bedroom for their wedding night, disregarding the possible consequences of being caught by her parents. Meanwhile, Romeo finds himself in a situation where he is caught between his best friend Mercutio and Tybalt.

Although Romeo is aware that he cannot engage in a fight with Tybalt due to his marriage to Juliet, he decides to intervene when Mercutio and Tybalt begin arguing. Tragically, during the altercation, Tybalt stabs Mercutio beneath Romeo's arm. In retaliation, Romeo defends himself and ultimately slays Tybalt.

In this scene, Romeo expresses his belief that he is helpless against the forces of fate by declaring, "O. I am Fortune’s sap!" (3.1.133). However,

It was not fate that led to this

outcome. Romeo was driven by anger after his best friend's death and made the decision to kill Tybalt, who was Juliet's cousin, as revenge. When Juliet learned of her husband's actions, she immediately went to Friar Laurence and asked for his help. She insisted that she would rather die than marry Paris. She said, "Oh, give me a leap, rather than marry Paris!"

Friar Laurence helped Juliet by providing her with a potion that would make her appear dead temporarily, as mentioned in her quote, "Instead of getting married to Paris." (4.1.77) There was no sign of life as a result.

Thou shalt not breathe, proving thou art alive; The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall turn into pale ashes." (4.1.98-100) Romeo must receive this message in Mantua.

Juliet decides to proceed with the plan, thus faking her own death. Discovering her lifeless body devastates her family. This part of the story highlights Juliet's cunning nature.

Despite her history of lying to her parents, she is now willing to bring them immense pain and sorrow in order to be with Romeo. Unfortunately, Romeo is unaware of Juliet's planned death as the Friar tasked with delivering the message was ill for several days. Upon learning of Juliet's demise, he rushed to confirm its veracity and upon discovering her lifeless body, impulsively chose to take his own life.

After finding Romeo's lifeless body, Juliet wakes up and makes the immediate decision to end her own life in order to be with him. She exclaims, "O happy dagger. This is your sheath." (5. 3. 171) and proceeds to stab herself, resulting in her death.

Both individuals in this story suffered from indecision, consistently

making impulsive decisions and displaying bad judgment. Despite firmly believing they were destined to be together and being willing to go to extreme lengths, even sacrificing their lives, destiny did not influence their story.

If they had made wiser decisions and refrained from impulsive actions, this love story would not have become the heart-wrenching tale that we currently cherish.