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This line is representative of the apparent dichotomy in many (if not all) of Shakespeare's tragedies: free will versus fate. By cursing the stars, Romeo is expressing his independence by saying that he is in charge of his own life and is not ruled not by some predetermined course of events. The truly tragic part of this exclamation is that we, as readers, know that Romeo is mistaken and that the events that befall him were going to happen no matter what and that he was destined to fall in love and come to a tragic end.

Specifically, Romeo says this when he receives the news that Juliet is dead. He feels that fate (the stars) have struck him the cruelest possible blow, and he is going to defy the stars by committing suicide and joining Juliet in death.

That, and it also makes reference to the beginning of the play, where they're referred to as "star-crossed lovers," which is admittedly also a statement of its being fate-oriented, but "I defy you, stars!" would be a reference to the stars being symbolic of fate as they were in the description of the "lovers" early on.

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How does Balthasar know about Juliet's death?

Romeo told him that he was getting married to Juliet.


Romeo and Juliet. Are they rebellious in the modern sense?

No, I wouldn't say they were. Juliet did defy her father by her marriage to Romeo, but that wasn't rebellious as we know it today. It was normal for young women to have arranged marriages to older men, but if there hadn't been a feud with Romeo's family her father may had consented to a marriage.


Why did romeo defy fate?

Well, if fate had him slated for a nasty end, he felt that he may as well try for a happy ending and fail as meekly accept the nasty end. Hence, "I defy you stars."


What does Juliet symbolise in Romeo and Juliet?

oooooh i love this... Juliet symbolizes light shining in darkness. she is compared to this throughout the book. the cool part is romeo is continually referred to as night. so basically "juliet is the sun" and romeo is the night... and guess what. the night and the sun never get to see eachother!!!!!


What do stars symbolize in the play Romeo and Juliet?

Stars symbolize a number of things. Primarily, fate, as in "star-crossed lovers", then I defy you stars", "some consequence yet hanging in the stars", or "the yoke of inauspicious stars". But they are also symbolic of the light and brightness which exists at night, the time of love. Thus Capulet says "Look to behold this night earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light." Juliet will take Romeo and "cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." Romeo uses the starry-eyed symbolism too: "Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, having some business, do entreat her eyes to twinkle in their spheres till they return."

Related Questions

What does Then i defy you stars?

"Then I defy you, stars" is a famous line from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Romeo says this line when he learns of Juliet's apparent death, defying fate and challenging the power of the stars to dictate his life. It reflects his defiance against destiny and his refusal to accept a future without Juliet.


What does the defy you stars mean?

"Defy you stars" is a phrase from William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet." It expresses a sense of rebellion against fate or destiny, suggesting a desire to challenge or alter the course of one's life despite the belief in predetermined outcomes.


How does Romeo react when Balthazar tells him Juliet had died?

He gets angry ("Then I defy you, stars!") but very quickly decides to ride to Verona and to kill himself by Juliet's body. He becomes very calm, purposeful and determined. He says to Balthazar, "Go get those horses!"


Quation that romeo and juiliet are in love?

They died.


How does Balthasar know about Juliet's death?

Romeo told him that he was getting married to Juliet.


What does Romeo mean when he sayS Then I defy Youstars!?

Stars means astrology, fate, our predetermined destiny. Romeo believes that fate has got in the way of his happiness ("I am Fortune's Fool"), and the Prologue confirms this idea ("star-crossed lovers"). In saying "I defy you, stars" Romeo says that he will fight against what appears to be his predetermined fate.


How does Juliet react to her mothers idea of marriage What does Juliet agree to do?

Juliet initially agrees to consider her mother's idea of marriage, but ultimately falls in love with Romeo and chooses to defy her parents' wishes by marrying him in secret.


Romeo and Juliet. Are they rebellious in the modern sense?

No, I wouldn't say they were. Juliet did defy her father by her marriage to Romeo, but that wasn't rebellious as we know it today. It was normal for young women to have arranged marriages to older men, but if there hadn't been a feud with Romeo's family her father may had consented to a marriage.


How does evidence in this passage suggest that Juliet feels Romeo and Juliet - Lesson 4?

In the passage, Juliet expresses her deep love for Romeo and her willingness to forsake her family name for him, showing that she is willing to defy societal norms for their relationship. Additionally, her impulsive decision to marry Romeo despite the risks involved suggests her passionate and headstrong nature in pursuing their love.


Are romeo and Juliet rebellious in modern sense?

Yes, Romeo and Juliet can be seen as rebellious in a modern sense. They defy the norms and expectations of their feuding families to be together, risking everything for their love. Their actions can be interpreted as an act of rebellion against societal constraints and family authority.


Why did romeo defy fate?

Well, if fate had him slated for a nasty end, he felt that he may as well try for a happy ending and fail as meekly accept the nasty end. Hence, "I defy you stars."


What does Juliet symbolise in Romeo and Juliet?

oooooh i love this... Juliet symbolizes light shining in darkness. she is compared to this throughout the book. the cool part is romeo is continually referred to as night. so basically "juliet is the sun" and romeo is the night... and guess what. the night and the sun never get to see eachother!!!!!