In Shakespeare’s piece, Romeo and Juliet; fate, a belief that everything in life is predetermined and destined to occur, is a prevalent idea throughout the classic. Where we go in life is determined by ourselves and the choices that we make as individuals, and is not dictated by any ‘magic’ force, but rather our own free will. The people we’re with plus the things we do, accompanied by our values and beliefs create the person we are and the life we live.

You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family, this famous idiom highlights the point of, how one mustn’t blame fate for who they’re with because even if you can’t change your family you always have the opportunity to change who you’re friends with. Many people get themselves in situations where they’re hanging out with the, ‘wrong’ people, who do not wish the best for them and then believe it’s just their fate or their luck, and they’re always going to be disrespected and be in that situation forever. For example, when I was younger I used to hang around some guys who would often disrespect me, at that time I believed this is just how my life is going to play out and I can’t do anything to change it; I believed in fate. However, with some guidance I learned that my friends are not predetermined and I could change my circle whenever I wanted to, and be around people who respected me and thought of me as a person of value.

Little things, big things, everything we do add up in one way or another, our actions taken determine where we will be and not a jurisdiction of fate. In relation to, Romeo and Juliet, both characters believe that everything that is happening to them has already been mapped out for them and everything will go accordingly to what the gods have prophesised. However, if many things were even a little different, a lot of the stuff that occurred wouldn’t have even happened. For example, if Romeo’s friends weren’t as persistent on taking Romeo to the Capulet ball, he probably would have never gone and would have never even seen Juliet. Another example would be, in Romeo and Tybalts fight, if Romeo didn’t stab Tybalt and thought with a clearer mind, he would still been in Verona and not be banished by the Prince. The principle of fate ruled in Shakespearian time and that is made quite obvious with all of the characters in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, being ruled over by the belief.

Our morale’s, our way of thinking, the person we see in the mirror, are all created by what we value and believe in. Fate is just a lousy excuse for many people on why they can or cannot do something. Nowhere is it written how your life will play out, nor is there a limit on your potential and all the things you can accomplish.  Millions of people around the globe believe that everything that happens to them is happening to for a reason, and there isn’t anything they can change. For example, a student might be getting bad grades in in English class and think to themselves that he/she is just destined to be bad at English and there isn’t anything they can do to change it. However, if they work hard and are determined to do better, and ask for the help they need, they for sure will become more successful and increase their maximum potential. This idea can also relate back to, Romeo and Juliet, where both teens believe they’re meant for each other and fate has brought them together. With this, it’s your actions and what you do that equate to how your life will be like.
In conclusion, our destinies and the path we walk are not chosen for us but rather the people we’re with, plus the things we do, and accompanied by our values and beliefs dictate how we will perceive the world and either believe in fate or free will.