ROMEO AND JULIET COURSEWORK
Romeo and Juliet is a play situated in Verona. The play is based on two teenagers who fall in love with their family's worst enemies. Juliet is the daughter of Capulet and Romeo, the son of Mountague. Both families are feuding against each other. Both families are wealthy and very similar. The pair is deeply in love and cannot control the way they feel. Romeo is not very close to his father so he turns to Friar Lawrence for advice. Friar is a good father figure to Romeo and he also acts as a priest. He advises Romeo to marry Juliet, with his own intensions that if the couple marry it might bring peace between the families. Juliet is also not very close with her mother and turns to the Nurse for help. The Nurse has known Juliet since she was conceived. She acts as a messenger for them and brings them together; she intends to keep Juliet happy and tries to be a friend to her. The marriage is kept a secret from the parents till the end of the play. Tybalt is the cousin of Juliet, the day they marry Tybalt kills Romeo's best friend Mercutio. Romeo is furious but does not want to hurt Tybalt because they are now family. But unfortunately Romeo kills him and is sentenced banishment. Juliet mourns for her cousin but still stays faithful to Romeo because she loves him. Not only does she have to cope with this but she also has been planned an arranged marriage to a man called Paris. Juliet refuses to marry him and is then scolded by her father. The Nurse stands up to him, but when Juliet needs her the most, for comfort and advice she turns away. Juliet has no one to turn to. She goes to Friar and tells him that if he does not help her she will kill herself. She is desperate and would rather die than marry another man that she does not love. Friar is also left in an uncomfortable situation; he gives her a potion, which will make her appear to seem dead for two days. She takes the potion and on her wedding day her parents wake up to see her dead.
She is laid in the Capulet's tomb. Friar has also sent a letter to Romeo to inform him about this. His plan is that as Juliet awakes in the tomb Romeo will meet her and they could secretly live together. But Romeo does not receive the letter and is told by his friend Balthasar that Juliet is dead. Romeo uncontrollably runs back to Verona from Mantua. He breaks into her tomb and kills himself. As he drinks a bottle of poison, Juliet wakes up. She firstly sees Friar and asks for Romeo. Friar is under a lot of pressure and does not want to be blamed for bringing them together. He is angry because Romeo who he was very close to is now dead and all he feels he can do is run away. Juliet finds Romeo's body lying on the floor. She stabs herself. The couple's death unites the families together.
The roles of the Friar and the Nurse were to bring Romeo and Juliet together in order to stop the families feuding. The Friar's role was firstly as a priest, but secondly to act as a friend and father to Romeo. His motive was to bring the families together. He was also very close to Romeo and was a father figure to him because Romeo did not have a strong relationship with his biological father. When Romeo needs advice the first person he turns to is the Friar, this shows that they are close and despite the age difference the Friar is still a friend to him. The Nurse is very close to Juliet; she has taken care of her form a young age. Juliet cannot turn to her mother for advice because they are not close, so she goes to the Nurse. The Nurse cares for her and acts as a friend. She also prevents her form getting into trouble and keeps the marriage a secret.
The Nurse helps the two lovers wed by acting as a messenger and an adviser to Juliet. She organises the marriage and keeps it a secret. The Nurses motive was to keep Juliet happy, but she did not think before advising her. The Friar's motive was to bring the feuding families together. He is also a best friend to Romeo and helps both of them when they are in need. He is really wants the families to for a truce and is prepared to let Romeo die in order to do this.
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in (act5, sc1, lns17-20).
Then she is well, and nothing can be ill.
Her body sleeps in Capulet's monument, and her
Immortal part with angels lives.
Balthasar is telling Romeo that Juliet is dead. But we, as the audience, know about Friar's plan. Dramatic irony has an impact on this scene because it allows the audience to think that Romeo would receive the letter and come to save Juliet, but the opposite happens. The audience now hope that Romeo will some how realise or find out that Juliet is ...
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Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in (act5, sc1, lns17-20).
Then she is well, and nothing can be ill.
Her body sleeps in Capulet's monument, and her
Immortal part with angels lives.
Balthasar is telling Romeo that Juliet is dead. But we, as the audience, know about Friar's plan. Dramatic irony has an impact on this scene because it allows the audience to think that Romeo would receive the letter and come to save Juliet, but the opposite happens. The audience now hope that Romeo will some how realise or find out that Juliet is alive before he does something stupid.
Dramatic irony has an impact on the story because it informs us on what will happen, without letting the characters know. We look forward to seeing the characters in the play surprised, shocked or their reactions towards finding out.
In act1, scene 3 the Nurse is having a conversation with Juliet and her mother. She is talking about how Juliet was like as a child. This scene shows how close the Nurse is with Juliet. This scene shows the importance of the Nurse in Juliet's life, she has nursed her for over 13 years. The Nurse is important in this scene because we learn that she has played an important part in Juliet's life form a young age. She does not take things seriously. She jokes about laying fourteen teeth to Juliet's age, but realises she only has four teeth. The Nurse is repetitive, nostalgic,
'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years...
(Lns24)
She looks back at the past a lot and talks about changes. She is also very repetitive and blabbers on and on. She talks of nonsense. She keeps us entertained because as we listen to her we know what type of life she has lived, learn about her and find what she says amusing.
The Nurse is also very funny because she is open- minded.
When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple....
Out with the dug!
She does not get embarrassed easily and says whatever she wants. She is not cautious of what she says.
This scene is important because it tells us that the Nurse is more of a mother to Juliet than her own mother.
In act 1 scene 5, the Nurse acts as a messenger for Juliet. She tells Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet, and Juliet that he's a Montague. She is important in this scene because she acts as a messenger and does not tell Lady Capulet that Juliet has met Romeo. This suggests that she is also a good friend to Juliet.
In Act 2, sc2, the Nurse calls for Juliet, she does not let her mother know that Romeo is with her. This also shows that she cares for Juliet and is a good friend because she prevents her from getting caught.
In Act 2 scene 3, Romeo goes to the Friar asking him for advice. Friar firstly thinks that Romeo is in love with Rosaline, and is shocked to find out he loves Juliet. It is the morning after the party and Romeo looks tired. Friar is entertaining in this scene because he says,
'Though art up roused with...
Romeo hath not been in bed tonight.'
He knows Romeo very well and sees he is tired. He can tell he has been up partying and was with a girl. He knows what teenage boys get up to. This is the first seen we read about him and already we know he is contradictive because he knows that Romeo was in love with Rosaline a few days ago and already Romeo has fallen in love Juliet. He is unsure and does not give Romeo appropriate advice.
In Act 2, scene 4, The Nurse speaks to Romeo and warns him to be true to Juliet. Romeo replies that he has arranged for them to be married tomorrow.
She is important in this scene because she makes sure she meets Romeo in person so she can know what type of person he is and if he is fit to marry Juliet. She acts as a messenger in this scene again. She is entertaining during her conversation with Mercutio because he makes fun of her and it is funny to see her angry and watch her reaction towards what he says. She also shows that she is concerned about Juliet's well being.
In Act 2 scenes 5, the Nurse goes back to Juliet and tells what Romeo has told her. Juliet is anxious to hear what he has said. The Nurse has been gone for three hours but when she returns she pretends to be tired. Juliet only wants the Nurse to say if the news is good or bad and persuades her to talk. Juliet flatters the Nurse in order to get what she wants. This shows Juliet's behaviour because it shows that she uses the Nurse to get what she wants by flattering her and sucking up to her. This also shows that Juliet is not patient and the Nurse annoys her because of this.
In Act 3, scene 2, the Nurse has to tell Juliet about the fight between Romeo and Tybalt. She is mourning for Tybalt because he was a very close friend to her. Juliet is alone and is talking about her love for Romeo.
The Nurse misleads Juliet into thinking that Romeo is dead.
"He's dead, he's dead!" She is inconsiderate and does not get straight to the point. She is slow, thought less and sudden and does comfort Juliet.
The Nurse is graphic when describing the death.
"I saw the wound; I saw it with mine eyes...
I swounded at the sight."
Juliet is devastated and the Nurse does not take it into consideration that on her wedding day her husband has killed her cousin. The Nurse insults Romeo and curses him,
'These grief's, these woes these sorrows that make me old.
Shall come to Romeo!'
She does not comfort Juliet, or support her; she makes things worse by making Juliet angry.
Juliet does not know if she should blame Romeo or forgive him, but by the time she thinks things through she realises that he is not to blame. She is entertaining because again we can use what she says to learn more about her character. She is never careful with what she says. The Nurse also surprises the audience with the language and behaviour that she uses when talking to Juliet.
In act 3 scenes 3 Romeo goes to the Friar after he has killed Tybalt, Friar tells him he has been banished. Romeo screams and cries acting the opposite of Juliet. He is immature and inconsiderate to Juliet. Friar says that he has a lot to be grateful for, because he is not being sentenced to death. But Romeo would rather be dead than banished because he can never again see Juliet. He has to bear the fact that even as long as he is alive he will never again see Juliet. Friar is funny because he says Romeo is being womanish and immature.
"Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote
The unreasonable fury of a beast". Friar is telling Romeo that he is behaving like an angry beast. Friar is angry and disappointed at Romeo's behaviour, because he is expected to behave brave like a man.
In this scene the Nurse also tells Romeo to spend the night with Juliet and go to Mantua early the next morning. Friar and Nurse promise to sort out the situation. Friar says he will go to the Prince of Verona and talk to him, encourage him to allow Romeo to stay in Verona. This shows us that Friar lies to Romeo to keep him calm. Friar's plans are completely different. As a priest Friar is not completely truthful or he may have had very different thoughts at that time.
In Act 3 sc 5,Romeo and Juliet spend the night together. In the morning the Nurse comes in to Juliet's room to warn her that her mother wants to talk to her. This is the last night they spend together happily. When Romeo leaves Juliet's mother comes in to talk to her. Again the Nurse stands up for Juliet and makes sure she does not get into trouble. She shows that she knows Juliet well because she knows how precious that night was to Juliet. This scene is important for the audience because it keeps us in suspense, worrying if her mother catches them.
Juliet is told about her father's plan's to marry her with Paris. Juliet throws a tantrum, refusing to marry Paris. Her parents want to bring the wedding forward because it will help her get over her cousin's death. They are afraid that Paris will lose interest in her. Her father scolds Juliet but the Nurse sticks up for her.
Juliet feels she can only talk to the Nurse. Juliet asks the Nurse for advice but the Nurse turns her down. Juliet is left in a desperate situation on her own. The Nurse is manipulative and contradictive because at first she stands up for Juliet, then she tells her to marry Paris. She also sets a bad example for Juliet by persuading her to marry another man against God's will. She acts without thinking, doing the same thing that Friar has done.
In Act 4 sc 1, Juliet pretends to go to the Friar for confession, but is really seeking for advice. She is desperate for help. Juliet threatens to stab herself. She is committed to Romeo through marriage and will not break her promise to God.
The Friar re-assures her that he will help her,
"Hold, daughter; I do spy a kind of hope, which....
We would prevent".
He tells her he has come up with a plan. It is to give Juliet a potion, which will allow her to sleep as if she was dead. Her parents will come to her room on the day of the wedding to find her dead. He will lay her in St Peters church. The potion will last for two days so that by the time wakes up, Romeo will have arrived and they will be able to run away together in secrecy.
Friar has quickly come up with this plan; this indicates that he has not thought it through. He is under pressure to keep the situation steady and please both Romeo and Juliet. Every one has come to him for advice and he acts before thinking things through.
In Act 5, sc2, Friar Lawrence and Friar John arrive at the Friar Lawrence's cell. Friar L. asks for Romeo's response to the letter. But Friar J. says that he was not able to send it because the gates of Mantua had been closed. Friar is afraid and knows the danger of what might happen. He says he will go to the tomb before Juliet awakes. He re- writes the letter hoping Romeo will get it on time. He feels sorry for Juliet. This scene builds up tension because the audience are in suspense wanting to know what will happen next. The complete opposite of Friar's plan happens, we hope that Romeo might receive the letter on time, which builds suspense. Shakespeare does this so to keep the audience alert and to build up tension.
In Act 5, scene3, Friar arrives at Capulet's tomb to find Paris and a watchman dead. The tomb is open. Friar is shocked.
He enters the tomb just before Juliet awakes. He knows that Romeo has killed himself. Juliet awakes to expecting Romeo and Friar both to be there. She asks for him. Friar tells her he is dead. Friar hears a noise and tells Juliet to come with him. He promises to take her to a sisterhood of nuns. She refuses to go and looks down to see Romeo dead and a bottle of poison beside him. Friar afraid runs away. This shows that he feels guilty for what he has done, it shows that he cannot cope under pressure and instead of him to put things right he runs away.
Juliet stabs herself.
There is dramatic irony in this scene because we know that Romeo is dead but Juliet is still expecting him to come and take her away. There is a twist in that part of the scene. There is tension in this scene because we think the Friar has run away for good, but he is caught. It looks as if he has gotten away with it but he has not. The audience might not expect Friar to confess, except the blame and a punishment but again he does. He takes care of his responsibility knowing that he is not the only one to blame. This indicates that he is not a bad person and follows his guilty conscience.
In act 2, scene 3 the Friar uses a lot of contrast, by using good and bad words in the same sentence. Such as Smile and frowning.
We have just met Friar in this scene, but his language is a window to his personality, this is proved when he panics and flees in the end. It tells us a lot about his character. We can tell that he cannot make up a good decision. He is unsure, because he uses opposite words in the same sentence. He is unstable and not definite because he does not focus on what he says and does. There are two sides to him and he does not seem to know what he's doing. He has bad judgement and acts before thinking of the consequences he is not a suitable person to take advice from.
I think that fate was partly one of the causes of their death.
Pair of star-crossed lovers take their...
Parent's strife.
The prologue shows says that it was fate that caused their deaths. It also says that only their children's death could remove the grudge, which at the end of the play happens. Star- crossed means ill fated and unlucky. This indicates that the children were un-luckily in love. They were unfortunate. The deaths of all six people in the play were the only way that the families could bring peace.
With their death their parents realised how their stupid behaviour killed their children.
I also think that the family feud was to blame. It had gone too far and was destroying lives. If there had been peace amongst the families Romeo and Juliet would never have needed to keep their relationship secret. The feuding was not a good environment to bring up young children or teenagers. I also think a relevant factor of their deaths were that they were not close to their parents. They had turned to the Friar and Nurse for advice. A mother should know what is best for her children so she would probably have been the best person for Juliet to listen to. The Nurse and Friar were not stable enough to fix the problems that the couple were going through. If the families had not been feuding, it would not have been completely up to the Nurse and Friar to help. Romeo did not have a strong relationship with his dad we know this, because they do not have a conversation in the play. Friar knew Romeo better than Romeo's dad did. Romeo could not talk to his dad about girls or falling in love.
The Friar was justified because he achieved what he had intended to do. He bought peace to the families. It did cost six lives, but this prevented more deaths and an ancient grudge. The Friar and Nurse were right because they took a responsibility that was not their own. They kept Romeo and Juliet happy and acted as parents to them. His motive was to bring the families together.
The play is better because of the Friar and Nurse because they are the main sub-characters in the play. They are funny, entertaining and help to build tension in the play. We can relate to the play because Romeo and Juliet turn to the Friar and Nurse like the way that most people turn to their friends or family for advice. We learn from them that even people who are seen as 'important' or 'holy' in society can make mistakes in order to keep others happy.
