Tale as old as time. Song as old as rhyme. (post #3)

Fate is an interesting concept to examine in Romeo and Juliet since both of these characters are thought to have been "star crossed lovers" whose destiny was to end up together, (whether in this life or the next). However, the idea of destiny in relation to this story questions the outcome of fate between these two characters. First of all, why are these two people fated to be together. What caused this idea of these two youngsters being in love? First let’s examine one of the most famous scenes in the history of theater drama to date - the balcony scene. 

Here Romeo and Juliet go back and forth about how much they love each other in poetic verse about their love for each other and obstacles and their plans and their love. In many of the passages there is dialogue about if only you could be another person, have another name, then we could be together. 

Juliet 

My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words

Of thy’s tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound. 

Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?

Romeo

Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike

Here Romeo is prepared to throw away part of his identity for someone he just met (probably) less than an hour ago. This calls into question the idea of what identity means on an individual basis and how this interferes with fate. If Romeo were but any other name, then the events of this play would not have progressed in the tragic manner that it did. But he was, and so it did advance as so. 

But is his identity could be seen as so insignificant in this action, then why couldn't they throw away such chains form the very beginning? Why couldn’t the two love birds just remain as they are? Because these chains that tie down the characters are the same ones that constantly reinforce the wheels of destiny. Although they feel they belong together, the society around them seeks to tear them apart because of ancient traditions that when examined, do not entirely make sense. For a modern parallel, this is incredibly similar to the movement for marriage equality, regardless of sexual orientation. Similar to Romeo and Juliet’s plight, the reasoning behind laws that ban same sex marriage also do not hold much reason behind them. However, because of older folklore that questions the morality of this arrangement, two people who could have had a peaceful ending are faced with unnecessary turmoil. Not being accepted into what they perceived as a place of consolation caused the ultimate personal devastation. In the modern counterpart, there are “30 and 40% of LGBT youth, depending on age and sex groups, have attempted suicide.” (Wikipedia: “Suicide Among LGBT Youth.) In both circumstances there are devastating effects of one’s fate inferring with societal pressures that causes the individual to be conflicted to the point of literally destroying themselves. Fate in this circumstance is tricky because although the individual knows what their identity is, they are not able to realize it because of outside pressures. 

However since identity was such a crucial component to this play, one has to wonder if death and destiny being linked in such a manner reflects a larger idea. Oftentimes dramatic changes are the result of a tragic consequence of an older rule. In this case, to bury the feud between two rivaling families, they had to literally bury their children.