The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is built on the role that chance plays in the lives of human beings. While at the same time Shakespeare inserts the possibility that fate may lie in the hands of destiny.
The debate between fate and chance is a time honored theme that stands the test of time. In the acclaimed movie Forrest Gump, the Tom Hanks character debates the same issue. Is it his destiny or is he like a feather floating on the wind randomly accepting where life takes him. He comes to the conclusion that it is a little bit of both. And so it is with the two lovers. There seems to be a little bit of chance and fate working in their lives.
The prologue establishes before the dialogue begins that a pair of star-crossed lovers take their own lives. It would seem that this introduction would be a spoiler for the rest of the play, but on the contrary. Instead we become enthralled in the lives of these two characters that appear to be born under an unfortunate star.
The first aspect of chance that exists in the play is the attendance of Romeo at the Capulet party. Romeo is from the family of Capulet's enemy, the Montagues so he most certainly does not have an invitation. As it so happens a servant of the house of Capulet come with a list of people to invite, but unfortunately he cannot read. It is a matter of chance that brings the servant and Romeo together on the stage, not to mention the coincidental fact that the servant can't read and must ask Romeo to read it for him. As it so happens Rosaline, the girl that Romeo pines for, has her name on the list. In this small moment of chance Romeo gains knowledge that entices him to go to a party that he is not invited to attend.
As Romeo attends the party, he happens to catch a glimpse of Juliet. This is where there seems to be a mixture of fate and chance. Although it is a chance meeting, the way that the two lovers are drawn to each other seems to be destined as it is love at first sight. Without this chance meeting between the two lovers, a romance certainly would not have been eminent between the two.
Romeo and Juliet are secretly married by Friar Laurence. It seems to be chance that allows the priest to marry the two lovers without parent permission. The fact that he is persuaded to marry the couple is a matter of chance as he certainly could have said no.
Following the hasty marriage Romeo has a skirmish with Tybalt on the street. Romeo did not want to fight Tybalt because he now felt a loyalty to Juliet. However Mercutio, Romeo's friend does not know why. As a result Mercutio takes up a sword against Tybalt. Romeo thinks that it is in good fun and steps in between the two men. As a chance result, Tybalt is stabbed beneath Romeo's arm.
It is the chance killing of Mercutio that sends Romeo on a rage to kill Tybalt. It is the killing of Tybalt that causes Romeo to become banished from Verona. It is a domino effect that is started by one decision. Then a whole series of event stake place as a result. At this point it seems like fate is working against the two lovers.
While Romeo is banished, there is pressure for Juliet to marry Paris. Instead of coming clean to her family and admitting that she is already married, Juliet asks Friar Laurence for help. He concocts a potion that will make her appear dead. She will be placed in the vault and Romeo will come to rescue her.
Another twist of fate unfolds, as Romeo does not receive word that Juliet is really alive and this is part of a ruse set up by the Friar. As a result Romeo acts rashly and fins poison for himself. He takes it to the tomb to lie with Juliet.
As fate would have it Juliet does not awaken from her fake sleep until Romeo drinks the poison and dies. She decides to acts rashly and kills herself with Romeo's sword.
Is it a matter of fate? Were the two lovers star-crossed? The evidence appears that there was a little bit of both afoot in this play. Decisions were made that altered the course of events, but just as these events occurred, they also seemed to be like feathers in the wind, floating on the whims of destiny that ultimately led to their untimely ends.