The Battle to Know the Unknowable

Romeo and Juliet

Us, as human beings and creatures of this universe, all must deal with fortunes hand. For me I find that I don’t so much have an issue with where consequence has lead me, but more with the task of trying to understand and finding a way to cope with not knowing. Fate is but a theory. Perhaps we are all just part of a story that another has had the pleasure or punishment to write. Maybe all of our actions are set in universal ink stained on theoretical paper. Or we may be puppets, being controlled by a greater power but in fact ever changing. But perhaps the most fearful prospect of all is the idea of free will. The thought that we are in control and every action, every choice will change the course of time forever. Every one of these fascinations comes with a set of anxiety but for me, the worst of all, is the unsolvable terror of ignorance.

is entirely based on conflict. The play gathers up all forms of conflict one could face. Shakespeare has scattered these battles throughout, but the overwhelming conflict that was always lingering in the background just waiting to take hold was that of Person vs. Fate. Starting in the prologue, “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” all the way through to the end when Romeo has had enough of these grave circumstances and declares that he will change the path of destiny, “Is it e’en so? Then I defy you stars!” (5.1.24) This conflict develops the whole message in the play. It creates the theme that fate is inevitable.