In Romeo and Juliet, a sixteenth-century tragedy written by Shakespeare, fate is presented as an unstoppable force, one which drives the characters to fatal decisions and ultimately the death of Romeo and Juliet. Fate is immediately introduced in the play through the prologue which labels the lovers as 'star-crossed lovers' which 'take their life'. The theme is carried on throughout the play, in Act 1, scene 4 where Romeo senses that attending the Capulet feast will lead to no good and in Act 3, scene 5 Juliet makes a chilling prediction of Romeo's death. However, we must consider the other factors like the feud between the families which arguably is the bigger force in driving their fate. Shakespeare presents fate as an unstoppable force through the prologue which is written in a sonnet form. The sonnet is a classical device in Elizabethan love poetry and is used here to explain the tragic love story that will follow. This sonnet form is also used as a cohesive structural form, as the play finishes with one, however, it is spoken by the loving fathers, with the concluding lines spoken by the Prince which perhaps symbolises the force of peace. Romeo and Juliet are described as 'star-cross'd' which suggests that it is somehow pre-ordained by the heavens that they should be together, while 'cross'd' suggests their ruling planets are at odds with one another. Similar to thefeud between their families, 'their parents' rage', 'death-mark'd love', foreshadowing the ending of the play. Shakespeare's ending of the prologue, which describes the play as 'two hours' traffic' highlights the complete power fate has over the play, suggesting that it is 'traffic' to us, for as we already know what will happen, because it is fated. Shakespeare presents the importance of fate through Act 1 Scene 4, where Romeo is overcome with anxiety, worrying about what will happen if he attends the Capulet party. The use of pessimistic language in this scene, verbs such as 'misgive', and adverbs such as 'bitterly' and 'untimely', suggest Romeo is having a fearful premonition about a possible consequence. He uses two worrying noun phrases, fearful date and vile forfeit to suggest that the night will set of a chain of events. He even pleas to God for help. But he hath the steerage of my course Direct my sail. Evidence that Romeo places full trust in fate to determine his outcome instead of trying listening to his intuition and not attending. It is clear Romeo fears that there will be 'some consequence yet hanging in the stars' that may lead to his death. 'stars' is a reference to earlier in the prologue which reminds the audience of what is yet to come.Alternatively, it could be argued that fate isn't the driving force of the play, instead it is the conflict. The play is shaped around conflict and it is why Romeo and Juliet cannot be together, their families feud. Which like fate is mentioned in the prologue. 'ancient grudge', is intertwined with every point of the play. Throughout the play, life seems to be held cheaply, the young men of Verona are quick to draw their swords resulting in young lives being cut short, Tybalt, Paris, Mercutio, Romeo, then Juliet. The defence and honour seems to be more important than life itself, for example Mercutio sees Romeo's rejection of Tybalt's challenge as cowardly, 'O calm, dishonourable, vile submission'. The play is written in a patriarchal society which is so male driven, the male characters are driven by violence, and misogynistic values for example Paris: 'younger than she are happy mothers made'; Tybalt: 'stock and honour', and Capulet: 'An you be mine, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets'. Capulet embodied a patriarchal dad and even with the different life expectancy in the 16th century Romeo and Juliet are still quite young to be married. Paris' interest in marrying Juliet and Capulet's harsh threat of disownment 'or never look me in the face' speeds up the play, perhaps forcing Juliet and Romeo into making such rash, misjudged decisions.In conclusion, Shakespeare presents fate as a force that is constant throughout the play and shapes the events of the play. While on the other hand, conflict is what drives the play and leads to the ultimate tragic death.