William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay - 1399 Words

William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet According to the dictionary, fate is the â€Å"inevitable destiny or necessity destined term of life; doom.† This means that fate can be described as a pre-planned sequence of events influencing ones life. Romeo and Juliet would have been performed to an Elizabethan audience who believed very strongly in â€Å"fate† and â€Å"fortune†. Fate was destined to happen and no one could alter it. Throughout the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare constantly utilises the motif of stars to convey and develop the prominent theme of fate. Even and early as the prologue, the words â€Å"A pair of star-cross’d lovers†¦Ã¢â‚¬  reveal Shakespeare’s intent in conveying the association of fate†¦show more content†¦Had Romeo and Benvolio not run into the servant, he would never have met Juliet. On the way to the Capulet party, Romeo admits, â€Å"My mind misgives. Some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels, and expire the term of a despised life clos’d in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death.† Here Romeo seems to be foreseeing his own death. He calls upon the one â€Å"that hath the steerage† of his â€Å"course† – he who guides the path of his life, to direct him to safety. The sea is often used by Shakespeare as a symbol of the powerful and unpredictable forces of fate and the audience already knows that Romeo’s fate is fixed for he is â€Å"star-cross’d†. Once at the ball, Romeo is searching for a woman to substitute Rosaline. Romeo happens to gaze upon Juliet. He proclaims, â€Å"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For ne’er saw true beauty till this night.† Since Romeo declares his love for Juliet, she feels the attraction as well. However, it is a genuine coincidence that Romeo and Juliet were at the same place, at the same time. Fate is then brought up by Juliet after the Capulet dance when she realises Romeo is a Montague, â€Å"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known tooShow MoreRelated William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1869 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet In Romeo and Juliet, love is depicted in several ways. Both Luhrman and Shakespeare represent love in different ways in different contexts to both the Elizabethan era and the contemporary audience. Both the original and later manifestations of the text are valued because they both communicate to the audience on the values of love and society by employing a variety of devices. The central subject dealt within Romeo and Juliet is the subject of love.Read MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet558 Words   |  2 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragic story of two young lovers whose lives are cut short due to the rivalry of their families, the Capulets and the Montagues. The family feud has been present for decades but once Romeo and Juliet meet they are instantaneously in love. Love at first sight some would say. But could love at first sight really be the case? No it could not. There are many things that serve to prove Romeo and Juliet were not in love. At the beginning of the play Romeo isRead MoreGender In Romeo, Juliet And William Shakespeares Romeo And Juliet1500 Words   |  6 Pagesof masculinity; the ability to act boldly and with purpose. Both directors draw upon the themes of gender to tell their stories subtly and effectively. The theme of gender is significant in both films being contrasted in this essay; William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (Luhrmann Martinelli, 1996) and Hamlet (Davey, Lovell Zeferelli 1990). The two films were released six years apart in the decade of the nineties; Zeffirelli does not seek to embody an evolved gender presentation at all, while LuhrmannRead MoreSympathy for Juliet in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet693 Words   |  3 PagesSympathy for Juliet in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1595 and it is still popular today. Its full title is The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. It is a romantic tragedy set in Verona, about two lovers, whose families are at war with each other. I am concentrating on Act III scene V, but I will summarise the story up to this scene. So far, two lovers Romeo and Juliet agree to be marriedRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay809 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is a play based mainly around the theme of love. This theme is good for building a play around because if there is love then you can have hate to contrast it, and many other emotions can be brought in. Love also makes the story interesting to an audience of Shakespeares time; also to audiences of more modern timesRead More Responsibility for the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1449 Words   |  6 Pages Taking Responsibility for the Deaths of Romeo and Juliet in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers, the perfect sadly losing there lives for their great love of each other. The tragic death has many characters to blame, but it is impossible to pinpoint the full responsibility on one individual character. Many of the characters in Romeo and Juliet blame each other, for example, the Prince blames the two families and feud forRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay1768 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Although William Shakespeare wrote the story of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in the 1500s, the themes depicted in the play had been around for centuries. It was a classic tragic love story. William Shakespeare needed his story to appeal and be accessible to as many people as possible. The main problem was that many people at the time could not read, therefore producing a book was pointless. So he decided to write the story of ‘Romeo andRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo And Juliet Essay1296 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo And Juliet Shakespeares most famous tragedy is probably the tale of Romeo and Juliet. The immortal tale of two star-crossd lovers destined to an early demise, originated in Italian folklore. Shakespeares prologue is possibly the most insightful piece of the play regarding their death and the explanation of it. The ancient grudge immediately sets the ominous tone of the play. This allows the audience to understand that their deathRead More William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay1690 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Although the story of Romeo and Juliet is over 500 years old, it is as relevant and appealing today as it was when first performed. Although dated, the story of Romeo and Juliet still holds great appeal and relevance to today’s society, despite the differences in morals and values between William Shakespeare’s audience 500 years ago, and Baz Luhrmann’s audience today. The arising issues of order and authority, fate and love entertain/ed and appeals/edRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay602 Words   |  3 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† is a romantic tragedy written by William Shakespeare in 1595, which is over 400 years ago. Romeo and Juliet are â€Å"two star-crossed lovers†, who fell in love at first sight and struggle through circumstances, which ends with their death. There are some characters that are to blame for their deaths and some more than others. The Montagues are someway to blame for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet because