The play goes out of its way to suggest that Romeo and Juliet are destined for tragedy. After all, the Chorus tells us in the opening Prologue that the "star-cross'd lovers" will "take their life" and Shakespeare foreshadows the lovers' deaths throughout the play. At the same time, however, the play seems to remind us that Romeo and Juliet decide to commit suicide of their own volition. There are also plenty of players (the meddling Friar and Nurse, Romeo and Juliet's warring parents, etc.) that contribute to the play's tragic events. This may suggest, in the words of W.H. Auden, that, in tragedy, "fate is not an arbitrary person – it is we who are responsible and we bring our fate upon ourselves" (Lectures on Shakespeare, 24).
BALTHASAR
Then she is well, and nothing can be ill.
Her body sleeps in Capels' monument,
And her immortal part with angels lives.
I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault
And presently took post to tell it you.
O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,
Since you did leave it for my office, sir.
25
ROMEO
Is it e'en so? Then I defy you, stars!
Thou know’st my lodging. Get me ink and paper,
And hire post horses. I will hence tonight. ROMEO
Is it really true? Then I rebel against you, stars! You know where I live. Get me some ink and paper, and hire some horses to ride. I will leave here for Verona tonight.
BALTHASAR
I do beseech you, sir, have patience.
Your looks are pale and wild, and do import
Some misadventure. BALTHASAR
Please, sir, have patience. You look pale and wild as if you’re going to hurt yourself.
30
ROMEO
Tush, thou art deceived.
Leave me and do the thing I bid thee do.
Hast thou no letters to me from the friar? ROMEO
Tsk, you’re wrong. Leave me and do what I told you to do. Don’t you have a letter for me from the friar?
BALTHASAR
No, my good lord. BALTHASAR
No, my good lord.
35 ROMEO
No matter. Get thee gone,
And hire those horses. I’ll be with thee straight. ROMEO
No matter. Get on your way and hire those horses. I’ll be with you right away
