Fate Or Choice
...thing to be achieved," quoted by William Jennings Bryan. One of the most debated questions in history is whether our lives are ruled by fate or by own choice. William Shakespeare brings this question into play in his production Romeo and Juliet. Although fate does seam to be ruling over every situation, I believe that choice has more to do with this story then it's really credited to. Even in the opening lines, this play drills into your head the inevitable outcome of the two lover's deaths. When the chorus uses the phrase Star crossed lovers (I, 1,6) it clearly shows William Shakespeare's thoughts on what killed Romeo and Juliet. This play shows that fate is in control, but I believe it was Romeo, Juliet's, and even the Friar's horrible choices to dragged them into that situation.
First of all, Romeo's decisions were reckless from the beginning. When the servant asked Romeo to read the list of the invited people to the Capulet's party, Romeo made the decision to go to that party even though he knew that the families hated each other, and he went completely knowing what might happen. Romeo also chose to continue seeing Juliet even though he knew that she was a Capulet. Fate seemed to have caused Mercutio to of been killed under Romeo's arm by Tybalt "A curse upon both thy houses" (III,1, 101). But Romeo out of guilt chose to kill Tybalt in rage to revenge Mercutio's death, knowing that Tybalt was his cousin. When Romeo says, "I am fortune's fool" (III,1, 145) he tries to blame the fact that he killed Tybalt, on fortune instead of blaming himself. He says that Fortune tricked him into killing Tybalt. Romeo could have also stayed in Verona and faced the consequences of his actions instead of fleeing to Mantua. Lastly, when Romeo found out of "Juliet's death" if he would of took some time to pray, or even thought of what he was going to do before resorting to...
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