Fate

From the very opening of the play when the events are summarised by the Chorus, it is clear that the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, are trapped by fate. Irrespective of what the lovers do, what plans they make, or how much they love each other, none of their actions can help them escape the grips of fate. Everything they do, every action they take, every struggle they partake in against their destined fate only helps to fulfill it. However, it is Romeo and Juliet’s determination to, despite the odds, mount a struggle against fate in order to be together, whether in life or death, that Shakespeare focuses on. This fiery passion of their love and their utter devotion and determination makes their love and their story eternal.