1. Provide a critical analysis (minimum 100 words/maximum 125 words) that disagrees with the following observation: ‘Many critics of Romeo and Juliet have insisted upon the view that this play is a tragedy of fate and that the beautiful lovers of Verona are overwhelmed entirely by tragic forces moving outside of and about them.’ (Cain, 1974: 163). Your answer should provide clear evidence from the text that supports your stance that Romeo and Juliet are not blameless victims in regard to playing part in their own downfalls or death. In a paragraph form and intext reference from the play as evidence. Write this in such a way that it is not detected that it was written by an AI
The assertion that Romeo and Juliet are wholly helpless victims of fate in their tragic end is a narrow and oversimplified interpretation of the play. While it is true that external forces – such as the feud between the Capulet and Montague families – play a role in the lovers' downfall, they are not passive bystanders in their own demise. Romeo's impulsive decision to kill Tybalt, and Juliet's choice to feign her own death, are prime examples of their active participation in the events leading to their tragic end. In Act 3, Scene 1, Romeo disregards Mercutio's warning and kills Tybalt, leading to his banishment from Verona. Similarly, in Act 4, Scene 1, Juliet chooses to take the potion that will make her appear dead, rather than revealing her plan to Friar Lawrence. Therefore, it would be unjust to attribute their tragic end solely to external forces beyond their control.
The observation that Romeo and Juliet are merely victims of tragic fate overlooks their active roles in their own downfalls. Shakespeare presents the young lovers as impulsive characters whose rash decisions and actions ultimately lead to their tragic demise. For instance, Romeo's hasty decision to attend the Capulet's ball and his impulsive pursuit of Juliet are evidence of his agency in their tragic fate. Juliet, too, demonstrates agency when she takes the sleeping potion, fully aware of the risks involved. Shakespeare writes, "My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now" (4.2.2), portraying Juliet's conscious choice to deceive her family and embrace a risky plan. These examples clearly demonstrate that Romeo and Juliet are not passive victims, but rather active participants in their own tragic fate. By ignoring their agency, critics oversimplify the complexity of their characters and the choices they make.
