ROMEO AND JULIET ARE " STAR-CROSSED LOVERS.
Romeo and Juliet are victims of fate, which is a dominant force from the beginning of the play. In the opening prologue we are told that Romeo and Juliet are "star-cross"d" and "death-mark"d". The audience learns that the young lovers are doomed to destruction and tragedy - "From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/A pair of star-cross"d lovers take their life." Many characters believe they are controlled by the stars. The plot stresses the power fate has on Romeo and Juliet's lives. Although the characters foresee the future, they are not able to change the outcome. Even the power of love is not able to over come fate. Romeo and Juliet are destined to die and end their parents" feud.
The characters make references to the stars and express premonitions of doom. Romeo becomes a pitiful puppet in the hands of fate when he says:.
I fear too early; for my mind misgives.
Some consequence yet handing in the stars.
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date .
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
Proving that Romeo feels uneasy about going to the Capulet party but he does not follow his instincts. Even Friar Lawrence tries to reassure himself with prayers, yet he notes that: "These violent delights have violent ends." As Romeo leaves for exile, Juliet looks down from her window and murmurs: "Methinks I see thee, now thou are so low,/As one dead in the bottom of a tomb." Juliet has a vision of Romeo dead in a tomb, which is where Romeo ends up in the end of the play. Hence, the characters have dreams and omens of what fate has in store for them.
Several preplanned events influence the destiny of Romeo and Juliet. If Romeo and Benvolio had not bumped into the Capulet servant, Romeo and Juliet may not have met. Romeo did not receive the message from the Friar John because of the quarantine in Mantua. Friar Laurence then has the misfortune of accidentally tripping over gravestones while running to meet Juliet.