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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.
Word Count: 915
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