Fate and Destiny:
The play's prologue sets the tone of tragedy and foreshadows the lovers' ill-fated relationship. It presents the idea of fate controlling their lives and suggests that they are destined for doom from the start:
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life."
Family Rivalry:
The feud between the Montague and Capulet families creates an insurmountable barrier to Romeo and Juliet's relationship. Their families are bitterly opposed to each other, and their love is forbidden. This external conflict poses significant challenges and obstacles to their union, making their love appear doomed from the start.
Impulsive Decisions:
Both Romeo and Juliet make impulsive decisions that ultimately contribute to their downfall. Romeo's emotional response to Tybalt's murder of Mercutio leads him to impulsively kill Tybalt, resulting in his banishment from Verona. Juliet's decision to fake her death with the Friar's help, motivated by her despair over Romeo's banishment, sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the tragic conclusion.
Miscommunication:
Miscommunication plays a crucial role in the tragic ending. The failure of the Friar's letter to reach Romeo in Mantua leaves him unaware of Juliet's plan to fake her death. Romeo believes Juliet is dead and, in his grief, takes his own life. Juliet awakens moments after Romeo dies, and upon realizing the situation, she takes her own life as well.
Chance and Coincidence:
Throughout the play, chance and coincidence seem to work against the lovers. The timing of Romeo's arrival at the Capulet ball, Juliet's encounter with Paris, and the timing of the Friar's letter contribute to the series of unfortunate events that lead to their tragic end.
While these elements suggest the presence of external forces that hinder the lovers' relationship, it's important to acknowledge the role of individual choices and actions. The characters' strong emotions, impulsive decisions, and the feud between their families all play significant roles in their tragic fate. The combination of these elements creates a sense of inevitability and suggests that Romeo and Juliet are ultimately victims of their own passions and circumstances.