During this scene, Romeo's friends attempt to cheer him up by convincing him to forget Rosaline, the woman who has been scorning his love of late, and go to the big Capulet party with them. He does not want to go, and it requires a great deal of prodding on their parts in order to get him to agree to accompany them. Despite the fact that they are headed to a giant celebration, Romeo becomes...
During this scene, Romeo's friends attempt to cheer him up by convincing him to forget Rosaline, the woman who has been scorning his love of late, and go to the big Capulet party with them. He does not want to go, and it requires a great deal of prodding on their parts in order to get him to agree to accompany them. Despite the fact that they are headed to a giant celebration, Romeo becomes very thoughtful and seems to sense that going to this party will set him on the path of a destiny that he will have no choice but to fulfill. He says that his "mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars" that will begin tonight with his attendance at this celebration and "expire the term / Of a despised life closed in [his] breast" (1.4.113-114, 116-117). When he links this "consequence" to the stars, Romeo refers to fate and his belief that he seems to have no real choice in this matter. He says, "he that hath the steerage of my course / Direct my sail" (1.4.119-120). Thus, Romeo does not steer his own course anymore; fate compels him to go to the party, even if it will end badly for him.
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