Religion & Fate

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Religion

Italy was a Catholic country at this time. There was a strong belief in damnation and mortal sin.

Disobeying parents

People thought going against parents was very sinful.
Romeo and Juliet both disobey their parents so they can be together:
- They both get married without parental consent (permission).
- They also marry people they know their parents will hate.
- Juliet’s father had already picked a fiancé for her (Paris) and she refused to marry him.

Suicide and bigamy

People thought suicide and bigamy (marrying someone when you're already married) were mortal sins.
- Juliet would have been terrified of being condemned to hell for marrying Paris after she had secretly married Romeo.
- Romeo and Juliet must have felt that there was no other option for them besides committing suicide – they would have known that they risked being condemned to hell for this act.

Audience and sin

People were very scared of committing a sin and going against God, even in England.
Contemporary audiences (those watching in Shakespeare’s time) may have felt some sympathy for Romeo and Juliet, but may have also judged them for committing a number of sins throughout the play.

Fate

Many people believed in the power of fate during the Elizabethan era. They thought that the stars influenced (and predicted) human events.

Fate in tragedy

In tragedy, fate is often seen as a cruel force that brings about misery for the characters.

Astronomy and astrology

Even though science was advancing during this period (called The Renaissance period), astronomy and astrology were still closely linked because scientists were exploring the relationship between the Earth and the Stars.

Fate in the play

In Romeo and Juliet, the story revolves around fate, destiny and the stars:
- Romeo and Juliet are destined to fall in love – their love is written in the stars and is shown as something that was decided for them long before they were born.
- In Act 1, Romeo has a feeling that going to the Capulet party will cause his downfall (loss of power or status) and his death.
- In Act 2, Juliet foresees (sees before it happens) Romeo’s death.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting

1.1.2Relationships

1.1.3Religion & Fate

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

3.1Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect

3.1.2Character Development

3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes

3.2Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development

3.2.2Tragic Character

3.2.3Key Quotes

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet

3.3Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation

3.3.2Key Quotes

3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse

3.4.2Benvolio

3.4.3Tybalt

3.5Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation

3.5.2Key Quotes

3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio

3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence

3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis

4Key Themes & Concepts

4.1Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves

4.1.2Friendship & Family

4.1.3Violent Love

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love

4.2Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide

4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death

4.2.3Fate & Destiny

4.2.4Gender

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery

5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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