How effective is the Prologue as an introduction to Romeo and Juliet?

In my opinion, the prologue is a striking and extremely effective introduction to one of the greatest tragedies ever written. One of the most unusual things about the Prologue is its structure; the fact that it is written in the sonnet form is very significant. The sonnet form of poetry is perhaps the most demanding and challenging poetic form that exists. For hundreds of years the sonnet (of which Shakespeare wrote 154) has been recognised as a structure that is only attempted by the greatest of poets such as Shakespeare or Wordsworth. It is often associated with love poetry and the fact that Shakespeare chooses the sonnet format to open Romeo and Juliet suggests his motive to prepare the audience with the love story to come. The sonnet is made up from 3 quatrains each consisting of 4 lines, with the rhyme scheme a,b,a,b, each quatrain telling us something different about the forthcoming play. The sonnet is finished by a rhyming couplet- a pair of lines that have the rhyming scheme c,c. Some might question why Shakespeare chose such a difficult poetic structure to open the play however it is clear to me that he chose the sonnet to grab the audience's attention but also to demonstrate his showcase of literary talent. The sonnet reveals to the audience the degree of Shakespeare's poetic genius to create a language - which in all its diversity can capture the most beautiful

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HOW DOES JULIET'S CHARACTER DEVELOP FROM DUTIFUL DAUGHTER TO INDEPENDENT YOUNG WOMAN IN 'ROMEO AND JULIET'?

HOW DOES JULIET'S CHARACTER DEVELOP FROM DUTIFUL DAUGHTER TO INDEPENDENT YOUNG WOMAN IN 'ROMEO AND JULIET'? "O happy dagger, / This is they sheath; / there rust, and let me die." Juliet Capulet (5:3:168-170) First published in 1595, Romeo and Juliet has consistently been one of William Shakespeare's most renowned plays. It is primarily a tragedy, but it tells of one of the most iconic and famed love stories ever written. It tells of the death-marked love between a pair of star-crossed lovers, who must die to bury their parents' strife and end the ancient grudge between the feuding Capulet and Montague families. It tells the tragic lives of two young lovers, in a heart-gripping story containing light and dark, love and hate, life and death. Essentially, it tells of two young people taking their own lives to forever be joined with love. During this essay, I will follow the heroine, Juliet Capulet, in her story of how she burst into adulthood, and how she made the final decision to end her life forever. The first instance in which Juliet demonstrates independent thinking, is during Act 1 Scene 3, when she is asked by her mother about the possibility of an engagement between herself and the Prince of Verona. "It is an honour that I dream not of." (1:3:66) is Juliet's reply. For the Elizabethan era, this is an odd response, and the audience are unsure of whether or not she

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Is lord Capulet a good father?

Is lord Capulet a good father? The ideas of what makes a good father have changed somewhat since the days of Shakespeare. Then, a good father was someone who provide their daughter with as much luxury as they could afford whilst they were young and found them a good husband when they were of age. This was usually around 14-15 years old. Today however, a good father would be someone who is there when they are needed and provides well for his daughter until she is ready for the world and to make her own decisions. Lord Capulet clearly loves his daughter very much but this love is contrasted to his great temper. In my essay I am going to argue the good points of Lord Capulet as a father as well as the bad. We can see that Capulet loves Juliet very much from the way he speaks about her to Paris in act 2 scene 2 'stranger in the world.' This shows he is protective of her. He wants her to be happy and shows his affection, 'she's the hopeful lady of my earth.' 'Woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart.' This shows that he wants her to be loved, as he loves her. Caplulet is very able to provide for Juliet as he is the head of a very wealthy family and has an army of servants and holds impressive parties. She is thought noble enough to marry Paris who is a relative of the prince who is very rich. 'I tell you, he that can lay hold of her/shall have the chinks.' This means whoever

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An analysis of Baz luhrmann's interpretation of 'Romeo and Juliet'.

An analysis of Baz luhrmann's interpretation of 'Romeo and Juliet' Shakespeare uses a prologue at the start of his play for a number of reasons. Firstly, it acts as an introduction to the story. We learn about the rivalry between the two families, ''Ancient Grudge'' it also makes clear that it is a tragic story of two ''star - cross'd lovers '' who are destined to die because of their families hatred. The prologue is like the opening to a film because both need to grab your attention. The setting of Baz Luhrmann's 'Romeo and Juliet' is in the west coast of America, in a setting, which he calls Verona Beach. However this is not true as the beach's real name is Venice Beach but the reason why he uses this is because it reminds everyone where William Shakespeare actually set the play, he set the play in Verona so by changing the name he has made quite a remarkable thing by making sure everyone knows where it is set. The other reasons why he filmed 'Romeo and Juliet' in the west coast of America is because Los Angeles is a big city just like Verona and because there is also a lot of violence and gangs in Los Angeles just like Verona. The types of film Baz Luhrmann used in the prologue are TV news style footage showing you how much of their fighting is causing their city to be more violent, as well as this they are trying to say that what is happening between the Montague's

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Examine the role of women in Romeo and Juliet, and explore the role of women in 16th century society

Examine the role of women in Romeo and Juliet, and explore the role of women in 16th century society Shakespeare wrote the play Romeo and Juliet in the 16th century, a time in which the role of women was not to be a person in their own rights, but to be a wife to their husband and a mother to their children. Women had a specific place in society, and they were expected to conform to expectations of their positions. Women were owned by their husbands, and had little to no freedom from their spouses or parents. In the play, Shakespeare depicts this situation through the character Juliet and her relationships and role in society, a young girl growing into the expectations of women at that time. The theme of this essay is to examine the role of women in 16th century society i.e. Juliet, and contrast it to the role of women today. Juliet's relationship with her parents is very different to what would be expected today. In the 16th century it was common for wealthy parents to employ a nurse to bring up their children, to be what a mother figure is like today. Juliet's relationship is typical of the period in which the play was set: her affluent parents employed the Nurse (who had given birth at the same time as Lady Capulet) to care for their daughter when she was born, and "wean" her. A woman who had lost her own baby was an ideal source of milk for an upper-class infant whose

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Romeo and Juliet is a play about conflict. By exploring Act 3 scene 5 explain how this theme is presented.

Romeo and Juliet is a play about conflict. By exploring Act 3 scene 5 explain how this theme is presented. Romeo and Juliet is a play motivated by conflict and conflict means a struggle between two or more things. Although the conflict between the two houses "Montague" and "Capulet" act 3 scene 5 concentrates on the inner conflict of the houses especially between "Lord" Capulet and his daughter Juliet. At this time of the play being Shown Men had power over women and this is shown by Juliet as she calls Capulet her "lord" before she calls him "father". Capulet also expects constant obedience from Juliet and by him saying "I doubt it not" he has confidence of Juliet obeying him. Lord Capulet demonstrates conflict by insulting Juliet as she refused to marry Paris as her parents are unaware she is already married to Romeo. Lord Capulet throws some insults at Juliet such as "green-sickness carrion" and "you baggage" which shows Capulet can be an abusive and angry natured character. He also manages to insult Juliet by mimicking her with such words as "I'll not wed, I am too young to love" which shows Capulet mocking Juliet's feelings. As soon as Juliet realises that Capulet refuses her wishes she turns to her mother which she is not as close to present day mothers and daughters and yet her mother lady Capulet "is she not down so late, or up so early" which shows they have a

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Describe the relationship between Juliet and her parents.

Describe the relationship between Juliet and her parents. Romeo and Juliet have a relationship between them, loving relationship. But they both are not the same tribe one is a Montague and one is a Capulet, the two do not match as they have a rivalry between them for decades. They saw each other at first sight at a Capulet party. After the party Juliet went to the nurse to ask her who he is and the nurse said "his name is Montague" and she really did not because she loved him. Here we see that the relationship between Juliet and her parents is wearing out because when she is in love with Romeo she goes to the nurse for advice and does not bring her parents into it. Juliet's dad is a very unhappy person because he is worried when Juliet refused to marry Paris. Juliet does not want to marry Paris this is because she is in love with Romeo. She does not like Paris because of his act in the story. We can see that the relationship with her father and mother is also not so good. The father wants Juliet to marry no one apart from Paris, and her mother does not really care whom she is married to. Her mother also thinks it is the right age for Juliet to get married. But after seeing Capulet rustiness she decides to go with Capulet decision. "Hang thee, young baggage! Disobidient whelen! I tell thee what, get thee to church O `Thursday` Or never look me in the face."(Act 3 Scene

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For whom do you feel most sympathy in the play, Romeo and Juliet?

For whom do you feel most sympathy in the play, Romeo and Juliet? The play of "Romeo and Juliet" personifies the meaning of tragedy. Almost every single character in the book ended tragically because of this sympathy must be felt for everyone. Both Capulet and the Montague parents deserve some sympathy. The nurse, Friar Lawrence, Paris, Romeo and Juliet all deserve sympathy for as well. The Montague's had to endure Romeo's banishment, then Lady Montague died of a broken heart, and then Romeo dies. This leaves Montague with no family. The Capulet parents both loved Juliet very much even though neither of them were very close to her; they had to grieve twice for her death. The nurse, very close to Juliet, betrayed her at a very crucial moment; `I think it best you married with the County. ` It would have been heart wrenching for her to know that she let Juliet die without being on the best of terms with her. In some ways I feel the most sympathy for the Friar as he has the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet on his shoulders. He devised that plan that lead the young couple to their deaths and that in itself is a big burden. Paris deserves sympathy as well, mainly because, although he didn't love Juliet, he held a deep affection for her, and this only lead to him being killed. `Do not deny to him that you love me` Romeo thought he loved Juliet; he was willing to do

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Shakespeare coursework- Romeo and Juliet Why is Act 1 scene 5 an effective piece of drama?

Shakespeare coursework- Romeo and Juliet Why is Act 1 scene 5 an effective piece of drama? In this essay I am going to analyse and interpret Act 1 Scene 5. I am going to consider the dramatic events of the scene, Shakespeare's use of language, the structure, changing mood and how he makes use of dramatic devices like scene shifts and range of characters. Shakespeare has divided this scene into 7 sections. Section one is when the servants prepare for the party and Lord Capulet welcomes the guests. ''You are welcome, gentlemen. Come musicians, play. A hall, a hall! Give room; and foot it, girls." This shows us the happy mood Lord Capulet was in. In this section, Shakespeare makes the audience think that the party is going to be happy and it is going to be a success for the meeting of Juliet and Paris. The second section of Act 1 Scene 5 is when Lord Capulet and his cousin talk about their youth. "For you and I are past our dancing days." This shows how they are reflecting back on the days when they used to dance with ladies in masks. The mood in section two is reminiscent as Lord Capulet and his cousin are reflecting back on past times in their lives. Shakespeare makes the audience realise that Capulet and his cousin were both young as are Romeo and Juliet. The third section of Act 1 Scene 5 is when Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and is immediately captured by her

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Interview of Friar Lawrence and Nurse after Romeo and Juliet's' Deaths

5TH DECEMBER 98 INTERVIEW OF FRIAR LAWRENCE AND NURSE AFTER ROMEO AND JULIET'S' DEATHS Judge: John Henry Lawrence enter the dock. Put your hand on the Bible and say after me, I swear to tell the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth. I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The Jury are now open to ask you questions, you are bound by the book to keep to the truth. Jury: What was you relationship with Romeo? I have been a great friend of Romeo ever since he was a little boy. He has always trusted me and he told me things he would not have told to anyone else. Romeo respected me and took my advice. I blame myself for his death and I am very sorry. Jury: What part did you play in this tragedy? I tried my best to unite two people who were very much in love. Yes, I did perform the marriage ceremony but I did it in good faith, I never knew what atrocities it would bring about. I also tried to help Romeo and Juliet when they were in trouble. After Romeo was exiled I helped arrange his escape to Mantua, for, you understand it might be possible for them to meet there. When I gave Juliet the drug I thought that I was doing the right thing. She was in a mess, she couldn't tell her parents so with my knowledge of herbal remedies I supplied her with the draught. She would have taken her own life there and then if I had not. When Romeo

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