Fate Regulate Characters In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Fate manipulates characters to act in ways that they would not under usual circumstances. The day after the Capulet party, Tybalt gravely insults Romeo in anger that Romeo was in attendance. In response to Tybalt’s provocation to fight, Romeo responds, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee/Doth much excuse the appertaining rage /to such a greeting. Villain I am none./Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not.” (3.1.63-66) Romeo says that he has “reason to love” Tybalt, which implies that he now considers Tybalt family after he married Juliet. This “reason to love” excuses “the appertaining rage/to such a greeting”, meaning that Romeo is willing to forgive Tybalt for an insult that warrants retaliation because of their new connection, which is still
Romeo, even when provoked by a serious insult, will take extra measures to avoid violence. On this occasion, ignoring Tybalt’s provocation could make Romeo seem dishonorable, yet he refuses to fight back. This hesitancy to fight is in direct contrast with Romeo’s later actions in this scene. After Romeo has killed Tybalt in a fit of rage, he exclaims, “O, I am Fortune’s fool!” (3.1.142) By saying that he is “Fortune’s fool”, Romeo is stating that Fortune or Fate is controlling him like a puppet, and making him do foolish things. This statement reveals that not even Romeo believes that he was in control of this event, or his own actions. Romeo previously wished to avoid violence, even when doing so would make him seem dishonorable and mark him as a coward. Now, he has killed one who he previously stated that he had “reason to love”, showing that some other force has driven him to the violent action of killing Tybalt, in this case, fate. Fate has shown itself as able to manipulate characters and their behavior, making it capable of pulling the strings behind the major events of this