Romeo And Juliet

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In this essay I shall discuss the view that the tragedy which befalls Romeo and Juliet comes about as a result of simple "bad luck". Romeo and Juliet is a play that was written by Shakespeare in the late 1500's. It is based on a boy and a girl who are destined to be together however they are both children of the rival houses Montague and Capulet's. This play has many twists and turns and after Romeo killing Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) he is exiled. Whist the parents were caught up in their arguments Romeo and Juliet committed their vow to each other. After this while they were both trying to be together a streak of bad luck took their lives. Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's best tragedies as it has many misfortunate events and melancholy finale.

Romeo and Juliet is based in Verona, Italy in the period of the late 1500's. The historical and cultural settings were very different in this era for example the Catholics behaviour towards arranged marriages is that they are allowed and if the child rebels they will be disowned. Also how women were treated has changed dramatically since the 1500's as in this period women were treated like possessions and were only taught the essentials for housework, domestic and social skills the lucky ones may even learn to read and write. If women were to go out they would have to ask for the "lords" permission. At this time England was a Christian country, religion was taken very seriously and almost every child was baptized soon after they were born they were also taught about the essentials of their religious faith at a very young age. The Christian religion had never been so well taught before however only the rich were educated. Religion encouraged the younger generation to respect their parents and obey them even if this meant that they must marry someone they didn't love. Both of the directors Baz Luhrman and Franco Zeffirelli took this to mind with their films of Romeo and Juliet although they are about the same plot their creativity makes them unique. Romeo and Juliet's themes are about fate, coincidence, love , hate ,conflict and generally bad luck. We are informed of this right at the beginning in the prologue this is called dramatic irony which means when the audience is told something the characters don't know themselves as shown in the text " a pair of star cross lovers take their lives", "Star crossed" Also refers to written in the stars such as it being "fate".
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The play starts off with two noble families's the Capulet and the Montague's fighting. Benvolio (the more reasonable Montague) tries to break up this fight. Soon after we meet Romeo who is entranced with a woman named Rosaline, Romeo comes across as very miserable as his love Rosaline does not love him back. The Montague's and Capulet got into many fights. The main tragic fight had many consequences which happened by choice however all could be resolved into fate as tybalt stabbed Mercutio with out meaning to and Romeo's adrenaline mixed with rage kicked in which led him ...

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