Romeo and Juliet key themes

Question 1

Importance of fate elsewhere in the play

Answer 1

• The fate of Romeo and Juliet is first introduced in the prologue “A pair of star crossed lovers take their life”, emphasizes the atmosphere of tragedy
• After killing Tybalt, Romeo exclaims “O, I am fortunes fool” - Fortune is personified as a higher power that controls the lives of romeo and Juliet
• Shakespeare repeatedly alludes to romeo and juliets tragic fate near the end of the play through references of disaster “I dreamt my lady came and found me dead”

Question 2

Importance of love elsewhere in the play

Answer 2

• At the start, romeo is evidently presented as a petrachan lover “Under love’s heavy burden do I sink”
• Love is presented as capable of altering one’s personality/traits. “Thy beauty hath made me effeminate”
• Love is presented as dangerous and destructive towards the end “O happy dagger”

Question 3

Importance of conflict elsewhere in the play

Answer 3

• Conflict is first introduced to us in the prologue, where the audience is made aware of the “ancient grudge” of the Capulets and Montagues
• Conflict is presented as being tragic during the middle of the play where mercutio and tybalt fight and both die. “A plague o’ both your houses” - blaming the fued
• Conflict is presented as being resolved towards the end “ O brother Montague, give me thy hand” but only at the cost of romeo and Juliets death