* Revenge: Romeo is motivated by revenge after his cousin, Mercutio, is killed by Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. He seeks revenge by killing Tybalt, which ultimately leads to his banishment from Verona.
* Family honor: The feud between the Montagues and Capulets is a major motivating force in the play. Both Romeo and Juliet are loyal to their families, and they feel obligated to defend their honor.
* Fate: Some characters in the play believe that fate is responsible for the tragic events that occur. They believe that Romeo and Juliet are star-crossed lovers, and that their love is doomed from the start.