Time And Fate In Romeo & Juliet Essay, Research Paper
Time and Fate in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet, said to be one of the most famous love
stories of all times, is a play anchored on time and fate. Some
actions are believed to occur by chance or by destiny. The
timing of each action influences the outcome of the play. While
some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the
development of this tragedy. The substantial events that inspire
the conclusion of Romeo and Juliet are; the Capulet ball, the
quarrel experienced by Tybalt and Romeo, and Friar John s plague.
A servant to Capulet, who is incapable of reading the
list of guests, asks for Romeo s assistance. Romeo notices that
Rosaline, his lover, is among these names. Benvolio challenges
Romeo to compare her with other “beauties.” Benvolio predicts,
“Compare her face with some that I shall show,/ And I will make
thee think thy swan a crow.” (I, ii, l 86-87) To show his
appreciation, the servant asks for Romeo s presence at the ball.
Romeo should have considered the servant s warning; if Romeo
occupies the name of Montague, he shall not be permitted. Once at
the ball, Romeo is searching for a maiden to substitute the
unrequited love of Rosaline. Romeo happens to gaze upon Juliet,
who charms Romeo. Romeo proclaims, ” Did my heart love till now?
Forswear it, sight!/ For ne er saw true beauty till this night.”
(I, v, l 52-53) Since Romeo declares his love for Juliet, she
feels the attraction also. They believe that they are in love and
must marry. However, it is a genuine coincidence that Romeo and
Juliet were at the same place, at the same time.
Some days after the ball, Benvolio and Mercutio are
conversing, in regard to the quarrelsome weather. Benvolio
declares, “The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,/ And if we meet
we shall not scape a brawl,/ For now these got days is the mad
blood stirring.” (III, i, l 2-4) At this point, Tybalt, who has
challenged Romeo because of his appearance at the masquerade,
enters, seeking Romeo. On Romeo s behalf, Mercutio struggles with
Tybalt, while Romeo, who is filled with love for his new
cousin, tries to end their boldness. Before escaping, Tybalt
plunges his sword into Mercutio, causing death to fall upon him.
Mercutio blames Romeo and the feud for his fate. Romeo kills
Tybalt, who taunts Romeo, upon his return. Romeo fears he will be
condemned to death if he does not flee before the arrival of the
Prince. Benvolio recalls the events that have happened, with
some embellishment. The Prince declares: And for that offence/
Immediately we do exile him hence./ I hav an in your hate s
proceeding,/ My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding;/
But I ll amerce you with so strong a fine/ That you shall
repent the loss of mine./ I will be deaf to pleading and
excuses;/ Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses;/
Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste,/ Else, when he s
found, that hour is his last./ Bear hence this body and attend
our will./ Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. (III, i,
l 185-195)
Due to the disturbance of Verona s street and the losses
of Tybalt and Mercutio, the Prince must penalize Romeo. However,
the Prince agrees that Romeo was acting in self defense.
Juliet, who desires not to wed Paris, asks for Friar
Laurence s assistance. The day before the wedding, Juliet is to
drink the poison, which will make her appear to be dead. In forty
two hours she shall awake, with Romeo by her side. Romeo will
then bring her to Mantua with him. In the meantime Friar Laurence
will convey a message to Romeo in Mantua, telling him the plot.
When she gains consciousness, Romeo and Friar Laurence will be
there. Friar Laurence says, “Shall Romeo by my letters know our
drift,/ And hither shall he come; and he and I/ Will watch thy
waking” (IV, i, l 114-116) Following Juliet s intake of the
poison, Romeo is anticipating news from Verona. Balthasar, a
servant to Romeo, tells Romeo that Juliet has passed on. Romeo,
who is told there are no letters from the friar, seeks a way to
accomplish his suicide. Meanwhile, Friar Laurence, confronts
Friar John, who was to deliver the letter to Romeo. Friar John
informs Friar Laurence that he was seeking another Franciscan,
who was visiting the sick, to accompany him to Mantua. He says,
“Suspecting that we both were in a house/ Where the infectious
pestilence did reingn,/ Seal d up the doors, and would not
let us forth;/” (V, ii, l 9-11) Friar John tells that he could
find no one to deliver the letter, for fear they may catch the
infection.
The substantial events that inspire the conclusion of
Romeo and Juliet are; the Capulet ball, the quarrel experienced
by Tybalt and Romeo, and Friar John s plague. The Capulet ball
influences the ending of the play by Romeo s invitation at the
ball, which creates the meeting of Romeo and Juliet. The ball
also gives birth to Tybalt s anger and causes his challenge. The
challenge causes the banishment of Romeo, which produces much
grieving by Juliet and Romeo. Also, the quarrelsome weather is
partly to blame for the feuding between Tybalt and Mercutio.
Since Friar John did not deliver the letter, Romeo thinks that
Juliet is dead, sacrifices himself. Juliet seeing that Romeo is
dead, slays herself also.
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