Fortune & Fate

Fortune and Fate are used numerous times throughout the play Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare uses them to set the mood/ tone of the play. Fortune is something that is based upon your actions but can be changed whereas fate is something you cannot control and will happen anyways. One example of this is in the play when Romeo killed Tybalt fortune is mentioned when he says "O, I am fortune's fool!" (Shakespeare.III.i.132). What is meant by this line is that the death of Tybalt could have been avoided and it was Romeo's actions that caused it, it was fortune not fate. This helps to set the mood of the play because Romeo is feeling great guilt but is also scared as to what will happen to him if he get's caught. He also is worried to lose Juliet's love because he has killed her cousin. This helps develop the plot as well because after Romeo commits murder he has to leave Verona to hide away. Another example of fortune and fate in Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet is talking to Fortune as if it were a human "O fortune, fortune! all men call thee fickle: If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him. That is renown'd for faith? Be fickle, fortune; For then, I hope, thou wilt not keep him long, But send him back." (Shakespeare.III.v.60-64) Juliet is begging for Romeo not to be taken from her by his fate. She is saying how fortune is fickle, meaning it's constantly changing. This helps to set the mood of the play because it shows the sadness and tradgedy going on at this point in the play.