FATE in Romeo and Juliet

What is Fate? The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power. Synonyms: destiny, providence, “the stars”, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune, kismet, karma Something that was NOT planned by the characters. A series of unfortunate events.

Where do we see fate in the play? Remember, fate is where something happens that we CAN NOT control; it is “written in the stars” From the beginning of the play, we are told that Romeo and Juliet are victims of fate, star-crossed lovers whose deaths are unavoidable. Do you agree? Give specific examples of instances of fate that the characters did not plan to happen. In the process, reveal your philosophy of life in terms of the idea of fate. Do you believe our fate lies in ourselves, or destiny?

Identify Fate in 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.

Examples of Fate throughout R&J Fate 1: The Prologue points out that Romeo and Juliet have fate against them. It says that their love is "death-marked," and they have no control over what happens. It is their misfortune that leads to the sorrowful and tragic ending of the play. Fate 2: Peter runs into Romeo and Benvolio on the street. It is this encounter that enables Romeo to read the list of names of guests for the Capulet feast. Had Romeo not run into Peter, he would have never gone to the feast, and hence, never even met Juliet. It is fate that makes this encounter possible. Fate 3: Before Romeo enters the house of the Capulets, he speaks about an unknown danger "hanging in the stars." This notion of events expected to occur being written in the stars explains how life is predetermined by fate. Romeo senses that something bad may occur, based on his fate. Fate 4: Here, the friar warns Romeo that people who act impulsively often have very negative and destructive consequences. This warning reminds the audience that Romeo's fate is already predetermined, and that there will, in fact, be negative consequences to his actions. Fate 5: Mercutio yells out in anger. These words are a reminder to the tragedy that is fated to occur. Romeo and Juliet have very little to do with what happens to them at the end of the play. It is sheer misfortune and fate that lead to the tragic ending. Fate 6: Romeo himself realizes that fate has much to do with the events that have taken place. He knows that something else is fated to occur, something that will end the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues.

Examples continued… Fate 7: Juliet tells Romeo of her vision of him dead at the bottom of a tomb. This is foreshadowing to the already destined event these two lovers will soon face - death. Fate 8: Romeo has a dream that Juliet finds him dead. This is foreshadowing to the already destined event these two lovers will soon face - death. This is yet another example where fate has a role in the lives of Romeo and Juliet; it is something that they cannot control. Fate 9: Romeo learns that Juliet is dead. He says that he defies fate, by saying that he defies what is written in the stars. He refuses to accept that Juliet is dead. What Romeo does not realize is that he has no control over his destiny. No matter how angry or motivated he is to change what is written in the stars, he cannot. It is already predetermined. Fate 10: Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that he never made it to Mantua to give the letter to Romeo. Because Romeo never receives this letter, he buys poison with the intention to kill himself upon seeing her dead in her tomb. It is fate that did not allow the friar to reach Romeo in Mantua. And thus, it is also fate that Romeo buys the poison and eventually kills himself by Juliet's side. Fate 11: Juliet wakes up from the sleeping potion and asks the friar where Romeo is. The friar responds by saying that some higher power has changed their original plans. This higher power is what people have no control over - fate. Through fate, the friar does not make it to Juliet's tomb on time. Romeo kills himself before the friar can tell him that Juliet is not really dead. This is not the friar's fault. Rather, it is fate that he did not get there on time.

How does fate play the role of the antagonist in Romeo and Juliet How does fate play the role of the antagonist in Romeo and Juliet? Give examples from the story. (rival, opponent, foe, enemy)

The meeting of the star-crossed pair, the deadly street fight that resulted in Romeo’s banishment, and the failure of the Friar’s letter to reach Romeo are all instances in which fate played an antagonistic role in Romeo and Juliet.

How can we determine our own fate?

What is a Horoscope? A forecast of a person's future, typically including an explanation of character and circumstances, based on the relative positions of the stars and planets at the time of that person's birth.

On your iPads, go to www.horoscope.com

Your assignment: I want to know as much as I possibly can about your horoscope. Give as much detail as possible in describing what your horoscope has in store for you. Do not worry about making sure it falls under the correct category, write down as much as you can about what you learn about yourself. Will be collected– worth 25 points. Due Thursday, 4/28