How far do you think Shakespeare presents Romeo and Juliet as victims of fate?

“Romeo and Juliet” is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in 1597, when people believed that their lives were controlled by fate, like a force or spirit that decides the course a person’s life should take. They believed in magic, horoscopes and that the Sun, Moon and stars could change their destiny. In this play Shakespeare presents Romeo and Juliet as victims of fate in many different ways.

At the prologue of the play the chorus describes Romeo and Juliet as "star-crossed lovers". This suggests that they fight against (or cross) their fate, which is written in the stars. It means that they are in love but fate is against them, their families have been arguing for years, so they have grown up hating each other, however Rome and Juliet are inseparable.

Secondly, the Capulets and Montagues are at odds with each other. After the prologue, members of each house, as well as their servants break into a sword fight, crossing swords with each other. Sampson says "Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 60). The feuding between the two families motivates Sampson to challenge the Capulets. Another example of how the two houses despise each other is what Romeo and his friends have to do to get into the Capulet feast. So they will not be recognized, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio wear comic masks to hide their faces.
Romeo and his friends would never have known there was a party held by the Capulets, however it could be seen that fate brings them to meet the servant who can’t read:
“if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine.” (Act 1 scene 2, Line 82-83). As they decided to go to the party, Romeo says:
“I fear too early, for my mind misgives… He that hath the steerage of my course. Direct my sail!”(Act 1 scene