Fortune and Fate

Fortune and fate are repeatedly used by Shakespeare to set the mood and tone throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet. And example of fortune and fate is when Romeo says, "O, I am fortune's fool"(Shakespeare.III.i.133). Romeo calls himself "fortunes fool" after he kills Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. Romeo feels that it was fortune that made him kill Tybalt, and now the fate of his relationship with Juliet lies in her hands. The mood of the scene is set because Romeo is regretting his actions, and feels as though he brought the bad luck upon himself. Another example of fortune and fate is when Romeo is leaving Juliet's house after spending the night with Juliet. "O Fortune, Fortune, all men call the fickle; If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him That is renown'd for faith? Be fickle, Fortune: For then I hope thou wilt not keep him long, But send him back" (Shakespeare.III.v.60-64). Juliet is talking to fortune as if it were a person, and asking for fate to not take Romeo away from her. Juliet is saying that fortune is constantly changing its mind, and she is begging fate to return her husband to her. Juliet talking to fortune as if it were a person, develops mood because it makes readers sympathise with Juliet, and it adds a feeling of tragedy to the play. The mood for the rest of the play is set, because we know that the rest of the play is going to be tragic for Romeo and Juliet.