Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet.md) › Religion & Fate # Religion & Fate English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 1.1.3 ## Religion Italy was a Catholic country at this time. There was a strong belief in damnation and mortal sin. ### Disobeying parents ![Disobeying parents](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/fb55a70d-fd06-4dbd-982c-59ff5bac899c/shutterstock_582559249.jpg) - 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 ![Suicide and bigamy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/5ea25993-fe70-49a8-9516-90a15e919d09/shutterstock_600167378.jpg) - 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 ![Audience and sin](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/ac89e1db-c893-4d4b-a96e-3ce4fb0bea2c/shutterstock_718183507.jpg) - 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 ![Fate in tragedy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/1cea17b3-9752-4e87-bd17-c1fdbaae9a60/shutterstock_1052419028.jpg) - In tragedy, fate is often seen as a cruel force that brings about misery for the characters. ### Astronomy and astrology ![Astronomy and astrology](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/47aaa50d-c327-4dea-a787-55c813a8864e/shutterstock_758365747.jpg) - 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 ![Fate in the play](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/1a592f8f-6e51-468d-964d-b28e81d37777/shutterstock_661878391.jpg) - 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. ## Test yourself on Religion & Fate - Who had Juliet's father chosen for her to marry? - What did people think were sins in Elizabethan times? - How might contemporary audiences have reacted to the sins committed by Romeo and Juliet in the play? - What does fate often cause the characters in tragedy? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/00f70050-30ed-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/section/3347fc00-30f0-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/session) - Previous topic: [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md) - Next topic: [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Tragedy & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-1-tragedy-and-setting.md) - [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md) - [1.1.3 Religion & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate.md) - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-era.md) - [1.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-location.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Prologue - [2.1.1 Prologue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-1-1-prologue.md) - 2.2 Act 1 - [2.2.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-1-scene-1.md) - [2.2.2 Scene 1 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-2-scene-1-quotes.md) - [2.2.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-3-scene-2.md) - [2.2.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-4-scene-3.md) - [2.2.5 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-5-scene-4.md) - [2.2.6 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-6-scene-5.md) - [2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-7-end-of-topic-test-prologue-and-act-1.md) - 2.3 Act 2 - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-1-scenes-1-2.md) - [2.3.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-2-scene-3.md) - [2.3.3 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-3-scene-4.md) - [2.3.4 Scenes 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-4-scenes-5-6.md) - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2.md) - 2.4 Act 3 - [2.4.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-1-scene-1.md) - [2.4.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-2-scene-2.md) - [2.4.3 Scenes 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-3-scenes-3-4.md) - [2.4.4 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-4-scene-5.md) - [2.4.5 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-5-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md) - 2.5 Act 4 - [2.5.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-1-scene-1.md) - [2.5.2 Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-2-scenes-2-3.md) - [2.5.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-3-scenes-4-5.md) - 2.6 Act 5 - [2.6.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-1-scene-1.md) - [2.6.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-2-scene-2.md) - [2.6.3 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-3-scene-3.md) - [2.6.4 Scene 3 - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-4-scene-3-quotes.md) - [2.6.5 End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-5-end-of-topic-test-acts-4-and-5.md) - [2.6.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-drugs.md) - [2.6.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-knowing-about-the-wed.md) - [2.6.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-order-of-deaths.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Romeo - [3.1.1 First Impressions & Juliet's Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-1-first-impressions-and-juliets-effect.md) - [3.1.2 Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-2-character-development.md) - [3.1.3 Reactions & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-3-reactions-and-key-quotes.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-age.md) - [3.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-banishment.md) - [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md) - 3.2 Juliet - [3.2.1 First Impressions & Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development.md) - [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md) - [3.2.3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-3-key-quotes.md) - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-romeo-and-juliet.md) - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-real-people.md) - [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md) - 3.3 Mercutio - [3.3.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation.md) - [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md) - 3.4 The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt - [3.4.1 The Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-1-the-nurse.md) - [3.4.2 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-2-benvolio.md) - [3.4.3 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-3-tybalt.md) - 3.5 Friar Laurence - [3.5.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-1-characterisation.md) - [3.5.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-2-key-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-mercutio-nurse-and-benvolio.md) - [3.5.4 End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-4-end-of-topic-test-tybalt-and-friar-laurence.md) - [3.5.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-what-is-a-friar.md) - 3.6 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.6.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [3.6.2 Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-2-grade-9-key-characters-extract-analysis.md) ### 4 Key Themes & Concepts - 4.1 Power & Danger of Love - [4.1.1 Romeo's Loves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-1-romeos-loves.md) - [4.1.2 Friendship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-2-friendship-and-family.md) - [4.1.3 Violent Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-3-violent-love.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md) - 4.2 Violence, Fate & Gender - [4.2.1 Violence, Conflict & Suicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide.md) - [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md) - [4.2.3 Fate & Destiny](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-3-fate-and-destiny.md) - [4.2.4 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-4-gender.md) - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-violence-fate-and-gender.md) - [4.2.6 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-6-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [4.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-type-of-play.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Writing Techniques - [5.1.1 Language, Rhythm & Rhyme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-1-language-rhythm-and-rhyme.md) - [5.1.2 Symbolism & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-2-symbolism-and-imagery.md) - [5.1.3 Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-3-dramatic-irony-and-soliloquys.md) - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) - [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Main Quotes by Act - [6.1.1 Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1.md) - [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md) - [6.1.3 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-3-act-3.md) - [6.1.4 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-4-act-4.md) - [6.1.5 Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-5-act-5.md) - 6.2 Main Quotes by Character - [6.2.1 Romeo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-1-romeo.md) - [6.2.2 Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-2-juliet.md) - [6.2.3 Mercutio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-3-mercutio.md) - [6.2.4 Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-4-friar-laurence.md) - [6.2.5 Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-5-nurse.md) - [6.2.6 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-6-benvolio.md) - [6.2.7 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-7-tybalt.md)