romeo and juliet - fate

Question 1

Romeo - fate

Answer 1

Romeo’s death is foreshadowed when Juliet compares Romeo’s love to “lightning” which has connotations of destruction which almost foreshadows the destruction that the love between Romeo and Juliet creates.

Question 2

Romeo’s prediction - fate

Answer 2

Romeo uses a multitude of worrying abstract noun phrases such as “mind misgives” to build up anticipation to the dreadful events that take place later in the play. His talk of a consequence “hanging in the stars” echoes the ideas of “star crossed lovers” and reminds the audience of how the loves are doomed

Question 3

Juliet - fate

Answer 3

Juliet assumes that it must be fate’s fault that Romeo is dead. She asks if “heaven could be so envious” This shows that she could only think of the spiritual world as having the ability to intervene in their relationship. Shakespeare reminds the audience of fate, and how much of a role the spiritual world plays

Question 4

the prologue - fate

Answer 4

The prologue identifies a theme of fate as it tells the audience what is going to happen before it happens, which is used as a dramatic tool used to create tension.

Question 5

context

Answer 5

The prologue identifies a theme of fate as it tells the audience what is going to happen before it happens, this is a dramatic tool used to create tension. Through telling the audience exactly what is going to happen at the beginning of the play, it is evident that the characters are unable to escape their impending doom. Thus, it is evident that fate is in control. Shakespeare even tells the audience how long the story will be, referencing the “two hours’ traffic of our stage”. This reference to the length of the play further increases the tension as the audience are in constant anticipation of the two protagonists.