“It is not in our power to love or to hate, for the will within us is dominated by fate. » In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, it is clear that the main theme is destiny, as it is mentioned several times. Shakespeare allows the audience to see everything that happens “behind closed doors.” Although the actions of some characters have indeed affected the outcome of the play, fate is the dominant force. The reader realizes this when the prologue declares: "Two houses, both of the same dignity/ In beautiful Verona, where we set our scene,/ From antiquity the grudge is transformed into a new mutiny,/ Where the civil blood makes civil hands impure./ Hence the fatal loins of these two enemies/ Two lovers cursed by a star commit suicide” (I 1-6). This means that two families have been rivals for many years. Romeo and Juliet come from separate rival families who fall in love. The reader can recognize that these two individuals meet by chance. However, they know that because of their parents' hatred of each other, they will never be able to be together. “My only love was born from my only hatred!/ Too soon seen unknown, and known too late!/ Prodigious birth of love, it is for me,/ That I must love a hated enemy” (I v138 -140). It is decided that the only way to be happy is to commit suicide. From the beginning of the play, the audience can predict a tragic ending due to the language used. The timing of the play is impeccable, and that's what makes fate seem so influential. Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet are desperate for a way to be together and never want to leave each other's side. “Good night, good night!” Separation is such sweet sorrow/That I will say good night until tomorrow” (II ii 188-190). Romeo and Juliet ... middle of paper ...... so he believes Juliet to be dead, drinks poison to commit suicide as a last resort. What Romeo doesn't know is that Juliet is very much alive, so it's very ironic when he says: "Death, which has sucked the honey from your breath, / Has not yet had power over your beauty: / You are not conquered; the sign of beauty is still purple on your lips and on your cheeks, and the pale flag of death is not raised there” (V iii 101-105). This is fate in the works of the play. When Juliette sees that her love has not saved her but is dead, she commits suicide with a dagger found nearby. “O happy dagger/ This is your sheath; there rust and let me die” (V iii 182-183). Every death is ultimately caused by fate, as Brother Lawrence says, “A power greater than we can contradict / Has thwarted our intentions” (V iii 153-154). No one is to blame because everything happens for a reason.