In the opening Prologue of Romeo and Juliet, the Chorus refers to the title characters as “star-crossed lovers,” an allusion to the belief that stars and planets have the power to control events on Earth. This line leads many readers to believe that Romeo and Juliet are inescapably destined to fall in love and equally destined to have that love destroyed. However, though Shakespeare’s play raises the possibility that some impersonal, supernatural force shapes Romeo and Juliet’s lives, by the end of the play it becomes clear that the characters bear more of the responsibility than Fortune does.
Though the Prologue offers the first and perhaps most famous example of celestial imagery in Romeo and Juliet, references to the stars, sun, moon, and heavens run throughout the play, and taken as a whole that imagery seems to express a different view of human responsibility. In Act 1, scene 4, Romeo says that he fears “some consequence yet hanging in the stars” when he and his gang approach the Capulet’s ball. In his next mention of stars, however, Romeo doesn’t refer to their astrological power. Rather, he uses the image of stars to describe Juliet’s otherworldly beauty. Most of the subsequent celestial images in the play follow in this vein, from Romeo’s love-struck comparison of Juliet to the sun to Juliet’s own wish to “cut [Romeo] out into little stars” when he dies. Throughout the play, these astral images are more often associated with the two lovers than with divine fate, emphasizing that, as the play’s action escalates, we cannot simply place the blame for the tragedy on some impersonal external force.
The opening Prologue of Romeo and Juliet sets the stage for the idea that the title characters are "star-crossed lovers," implying that their love is predetermined by the celestial forces in the universe. This notion suggests that Romeo and Juliet are destined to fall in love and face a tragic end. However, as the play unfolds, it becomes evident that the characters themselves bear more responsibility for their fate than any external force.
Shakespeare's play incorporates celestial imagery throughout, including references to stars, the sun, the moon, and the heavens. These references contribute to the development of a different perspective on human responsibility. In Act 1, scene 4, Romeo expresses his fear of consequences that may be predetermined by the stars as he and his friends approach the Capulet's ball. Interestingly, in his subsequent mention of stars, Romeo uses the imagery to describe Juliet's extraordinary beauty, shifting away from their astrological power.
The play continues to associate celestial images with the two lovers rather than some divine or celestial fate. For instance, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, highlighting her radiant presence in his life. Juliet herself expresses her desire to turn Romeo into "little stars" when he dies. These astral images emphasize the deep connection between Romeo and Juliet, suggesting that their love is more significant than any external forces that might be at play.
As the narrative unfolds and the tragic events unfold, the audience is led to understand that the blame for the tragedy cannot be solely attributed to an impersonal external force. Instead, it is the result of the choices, actions, and decisions made by the characters themselves. They are portrayed as active participants in their own fate, with their love ultimately leading to their downfall.
In summary, while the opening Prologue suggests that Romeo and Juliet's love is influenced by an inescapable destiny shaped by celestial forces, the play as a whole conveys a different message. The celestial imagery is more closely associated with the intense love shared by the two characters, emphasizing their own agency and the role they play in their tragic outcome.