Determinism in "Romeo and Juliet"

"Romeo and Juliet" is a play that really makes the audience wonder if the two young lovers had any chance for a life. In the prologue, Shakespeare states that "From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/ A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life" ((37). There is a debate in philosophy that applies very much to this play. The debate is concerned with two opposite ideas about human beings, free will and determinism. If …

…as well. If Romeo and Juliet were at least young adults, they would have had greater control over events. Shakespeare worked out every detail so that they could not have acted otherwise. References Best, Michael. "Romeo and Juliet: Study Plan". Open University of B.C. http://www.engl.uvic,ca Porter, Joseph. Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Toronto: G.K. Hall, 1997. Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. (Edited by William Rolfe). New York: Harper, 1890.