In the prologue of "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare employs a form of a sonnet to introduce the play and its central themes. The prologue explicitly refers to the "star-crossed lovers" who are destined to face a tragic fate. It reveals that their love will ultimately lead to death and sorrow, setting the tone for the entire play. By stating that their lives will end in "doom" and that their deaths will ultimately reconcile their feuding families, Shakespeare provides the audience with a clear indication of the tragic ending even before the story unfolds. This foreshadowing creates a sense of inevitability and tension, inviting the audience to witness the events that will lead to this fate.
Romeo & Juliet:
In the prologue of Romeo & Juliet, how does Shakespeare let you know the tragic ending of the story right at the very beginning?
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