dulce et decorum est vs the charge of the light brigade
...Juliet to follow its predetermined course to disaster. Despite Escalus’ threat having no influence over the brawling, it does however benefit Romeo later at Capulet’s ‘masked’ ball. Those not of the house of Montague are invited. Amongst the assembly is Paris- the man who wishes to marry Juliet, and, who has already received her fathers blessing. The fact that Juliet is now betrothed to Paris complicates the matter further. Capulet sends out his servant with a list of guest’s names to be invited to his event. Fate is at play again on a chance encounter between Romeo and this serving man. The servant is unable to read and so seeks a ‘learned man’. Out of all the men in Verona he stumbles across Romeo. Coincidence? Not Likely. This occurrence was totally intended and necessary if Romeo is to meet Juliet. On reading the guest- list, Romeo discovers that Rosaline is to attend and so he is given a motive for gatecrashing. Benvolio urges Romeo to go and admire other ‘beauties’, to cure his lovesickness. The dramatic irony is that it is his advice, on finding a new love, which sets the tragic mechanism in motion. The timing of events in the play also influences foreboding outcomes. Everything happens so quickly- proof of this is evident for example, at Capulet’s ball. As Romeo first sights Juliet, he is instantly captivated by her incomparable beauty. His change in affection is radical. One minute it’s Rosaline- next it is Juliet. By this the urgency of fate is emphasised. Romeo seeks her name and asks a serving man near by: ‘What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?’ The serving man does not know. Yet as Romeo remains entranced, Tybalt is aware of his presence and will not endure him. It is here, that the threat of Escalus aids Romeo in his quest for true- love. Overhearing him, Tybalt is outraged at Romeos nerve. He can barely control his ferocity as he storms accordingly to his uncle- Lord Capulet. The news of Romeo’s invasion is dismissed by Capulet, and he scolds Tybalt for instigating trouble. He even praises Romeo: ‘Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well governed youth.’ He then states: ‘I would not for the wealth of all this town Here in my house do him disparagement; Therefore be patient, take no note of him; Romeo is safe to pursue his love; as he does so, the whole atmosphere of the play is lifted to a whole new level. It is common for each act of hate to be directly followed by love; and as the lovers engage in courtship, the linguistic pace slows down and the pair use visual imagery to express their love. Shakespeare uses a sonnet in their conversation. This encourages the audience to hang on to every word spoken. The idea is to create a scene in which time seems to hold its breath and the very air appears to belong to paradise. The lover’s ecstasy resumes later in Capulet’s orchard, (act 2 scene 2) and it is here that Juliet proposes marriage if Romeo swears his love. All is agreed and Romeo departs. Act 2, scene 3, and Romeo calls upon Friar Laurence to confess his love for Juliet, and then to ask if the two may be secretly wed. The Friar is at first doubtful as he scolds Romeo for his erratic changes in love. However, after reconsidering the advantages, the Friar comes to the conclusion that he could possibly manipulate the destiny of the Montague’s and Capulet’s, by bringing their children together in holy matrimony. In a sense though, Friar Laurence could be viewed as a dangerous meddler. It seems that irony is often circulating around the Friars advice, although it is impossible to foresee that his good intentions will ultimately result in disaster. Romeo is extremely eager to finalise the marriage- despite events happening at such a speed, he still wishes them to work even faster, focusing only on the positive side of matters. He does not pause to consider negative consequences- ‘O let us hence, I stand on sudden haste.’ This quotation is supportive of the above point that Romeo wishes to rush things. The correct measures are taken and the marriage proceeds the following day. From this point onwards, tragic misfortune seems to swamp the play. Any further plans are prevented by an upsurge of hate and violence between the two families. Directly following a scene of such rapture shortly follows a scene presenting the opposite. It feels as though wherever happiness reigns, hate is in strong pursuit and will eventually find a way to lay waste to anything righteous. Act 3, scene 1, and an encounter between the Capulet’s and Montague’s leads to conflict. Mercutio mocks Tybalt, although Tybalt ignores his insults as his business concerns Romeo. Romeo obstinately refuses to accept Tybalt’s challenge and even tries to appease him: ‘Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting. Villain I am none; Therefore farewell, I see thou knowest me not.’ Tybalt is confused by Romeos protestation for not fighting. He still wishes to fight as he feels Romeo must be punished for the intrusion at the Capulet mansion. But still Romeo refuses to draw his sword. His reasons for this behaviour trace back to Juliet. Romeo loves all that she loves, and so must love Tybalt. However, events within this play are not so easily resolved. Romeo is at the mercy of circumstances beyond his control. Mercutio is outraged by Romeo’s refusal to fight and so he challenges Tybalt. This is typical of Mercutio’s character (and of Tybalt to accept). The pair would duel and die on the turn of a word to uphold their name. Romeo tries to make peace but his intervention proves fatal for Mercutio. In a fit of absolute rage Romeo intends revenge upon Tybalt; seizing a sword Romeo lunges at him, and fuelled by savage resentment and anguish, kills him. Romeo’s vengeful outburst is immediately replaced with a feeling of alarm as he realises what he has done. He is almost paralysed with shock as Benvolio urges him to retreat. In despair he says: ‘O, I am fortune’s fool’ To explain what Romeo meant by this, we must refer to Roman and Greek mythology to gain a better understanding. It was the belief of the Greeks, that there were three fates, symbolised by three women named Clotho, Lachesis and Atropis. It was alleged that these women controlled everyone’s birth, life and destiny- dedicated to spinning the thread of your life. Alternatively, the Roman theory was that the whole human race’s lives were pending on a ‘medieval wheel of fortune’. In times of good fortune- the wheel would crank forward. In times of misfortune the wheel would crank back. Therefore, depending on what your fate was to be, would decide when you endured good/bad luck. Romeo considered himself to have been ‘cheated’ into this spell of bad luck. He realises that his raging temper was to blame for his situation, and now, from this moment forward, he assumes nothing good will come of things for him. He is a fool of fortune. If he had managed to remain levelheaded then everything would have turned out more in his favour. Though events were out of his control; also note the revealing piece of punctuation in the above quotation. Even the (‘s) indicates fortunes ‘ownership’ of Romeo. Once again the deadly forces of love and hate have clashed. It appears that the concept of ‘good will always conquer evil,’ is completely lost- (save for the finishing scene in which the workings of fate prevail, and the two families are united). Perhaps if Romeo had not killed Tybalt, the outcome at the end would have been different and the lover’s demise might not have been. Also, note the timing and sequence of events. The way that the distinctive scenes of love and hate follow a pattern, which cannot be directed or adjusted by any person or circumstance. Situations that arise are usually as a result of something that has happened almost instantaneously. The workings of fate run swiftly and their development is untouchable. Romeo’s sentence is to be banishment from Verona. It is the Friar who breaks the news to Romeo. Romeo is devastated; to live in a world without his Juliet, is not worth living in his eyes. In this situation, he would happily embrace death. The Friar calms him (with much persuasion), and then tells him that once he is in Mantua, he will find a way for the two lovers to be together once again. He also reminds Romeo of his good fortune at still being alive, although he also acknowledges the fact that Romeo is ‘wedded to calamity’. Friar Laurence is implying that Romeo is now bound to disaster. Ever since he laid eyes on Juliet, nothing good or constructive has come of their love, apart from marriage. However, Romeo’s defiance of fate is heroic. Fate is placing other obstacles in the way of Romeo and Juliet’s contentment. For instance, Capulet and Paris again discuss marriage. Juliet’s father explains to Paris that because of Tybalt’s sudden death, he has not yet proposed the idea of marriage. Capulet already acknowledges Paris as his son-in-law, and then instructs his wife to inform Juliet that she is to be married in three days time. Imagine Juliet’s dilemma at the news! Romeo and Juliet spend their last moment together, (alive), after having just spent their wedding night nestled in each other’s arms. On parting, Juliet asks: ‘O think’st thou we shall ever meet again?’ This quotation clearly exploits fates unpredictability. Juliet’s question bares doubt; yet also hope, of a reunion in the future. She is asking Romeo for reassurance. He gives it to her, and then departs. Juliet, in response to the news that she must wed Paris resolves to seek Friar Laurence’s help. He is her only hope in escaping this fate. After quick consideration as to what may be done, the Friar interrupts Juliet’s cries of despair and says: ‘Hold, daughter, I do spy a kind of hope,’ Juliet trusts the Friar enormously. He is humane, knowle...