Romeo and Juliet: Character Study of Romeo

Romeo and Juliet: Character Study of Romeo We are introduced to Romeo at the beginning of the play in a conversation between Montague and Benvolio. Even from this early stage, it is apparent to us that Romeo is a romantic, having been seen "an hour before the worshipped sun" had risen, walking beneath "the grove of sycamore" in a sickened state, sighing deeply with "tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew." We also learn from this brief discussion that he has been hiding himself away in his room, shutting up his windows and locking out the daylight, in an attempt to create an "artificial night." When Romeo finally does appear, he comes across as a sad, melancholic, apathetic youth and declares that he's in love with a girl who doesn't return his affections, saying he is 'out of her favour where I am I love.' He talks to Benvolio about how he feels inside, but talks in rhyming couplets which make his words seem like a well rehearsed speech rather than a true expression of emotional torture and anguish. This artificiality of his speech makes it seem forced rather than from the heart and conveys the idea that he is more in love with the concept of love itself, rather than actually experiencing the feeling of love. Also, throughout that scene he uses oxymoron (e.g. "brawling love," and "loving hate") which conveys a rather melodramatic quality in his personality. When he

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  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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For never was a story of such woe than that of Juliet and her Romeo - What is it that make s the play so "woeful" or tragic? Discuss this by closely referring to characters and events in the play

For never was a story of such woe than that of Juliet and her Romeo What is it that make s the play so "woeful" or tragic? Discuss this by closely referring to characters adn events in the play 'For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo' Romeo and Juliet is a tragic tale of two lovers whose lasting appeal can be attributed to the play's unforgettable characters, its gripping plot, its universal themes and its lyrical poetry. The play closely follows Shakespeare's 'Formula for Tragedy', where there is a Great man or woman with a tragic flaw in personality, which is accompanied with ill-fate and an ultimate flaw from greatness. This eventually equates to a tragedy in the play. In Romeo and Juliet, tragic flaws within the characters and the ill fate of the lovers makes the play a tragedy. Romeo and Juliet is the tragic tale of two young lovers whose love couldn't survive their turbulent world. A tragedy is a dramatic representation of human conflict conventionally ending with the defeat or death of the major characters. Shakespeare's "formula" for tragedy comprises of a great man or woman with a tragic flaw in their personality. Fate intervenes in the events and this combination leads to a fall from greatness. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet closely follows this formula where characters and their ill-fate plays a critical role in leading up

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Foreboding in Romeo and Juliet

Throughout this play, there is a constant under current of foreboding. We are frequently reminded of the tragic consequences facing Romeo and Juliet. We are first see this in the prologue of the play. We are immediately given the sense that this is not the happy love story we are expecting. The line which says ' A pair of star crossed lovers take their life;' suggests that the play will end in tragedy. The characters in this play believe that all their actions are controlled by the sun and fate. By telling us that the Romeo and Juliet were star crossed, it seems that they are destined to go against fate. We are also told that their love is marked by death. Already at this early stage of the play, we are can see that all will end in disaster. We can predict the outcome of the play in advance from just reading this small passage. In Act1 scene IV of the play, Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio and Horatio are about to attend a ball a Capulets House. Being Montague's, they should not be going. Romeo seems in a very depressed mood, due to his feelings for Rosaline. After Romeo has spoken, Mercutio gives a very long enchanting speech. There is a great influence of fairies, fate, fortune, luck and stars. Again, we are reminded of the nature of the play. Romeo says ' I fear, too early; for my mind misgives/ Some consequence...' Romeo has a bad feeling about the evening to

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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The Fate of Time.

The Fate of Time By Courtney Wallace "This day's black fate on more days doth depend:/ This but begins the woe others must end." (Act 3, Scene 1) What is love? Is it not a feeling, a dream, a look? How long must it take one to know he/she is in love? In addition, if it is longer then an hour is it really love? One could say love is in the eyes, the window to the soul; another could say the eyes could not see love for they only tell so much. However, what about fate, if fate exists what does it matter if the love is in the eyes or truly in the heart? In addition, at what point is life swept out of the beholder's hands and into those of fate? If Shakespeare would have answered, I believe he would have said, when those hearts of the beholders do feel love there life is taken by love. Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is a love story struck down by fate and doomed to tragedy. When considering the destruction of Romeo and Juliet the most significant facts are in terms of caution, patience and wisdom. Romeo and Juliet, said to be one of the most famous love stories of all times, is a play anchored on time, patience and fate. Some actions are believed to occur by chance or by destiny. The timing of each action influences the outcome of the play. While some events are of less significance, some are crucial to the development of this tragedy. Romeo and Juliet were very

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Examine the similarities and differences in the ways Shakespeare presents Juliet and Romeo.

Engl 111, Past Masters, 2007 Assignment 2: Essay Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet Question One: Examine the similarities and differences in the ways Shakespeare presents Juliet and Romeo. Due Date: 21/05/07 Extension Granted by Tatjana to 25/05/07 Charlotte French 300075543 Word Count: 1423 Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is a tragedy about love. But, more specifically it is a tragedy about young love. Shakespeare presents both he characters of Juliet and Romeo as being particularly young and youthful. But he gives each of them different characteristics that form this picture. These characteristics are often contrasting, but all build up the picture that emphasises the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet: that the love they experience is so short-lived, and they die so early in their lives. Juliet has an undoubtable youthful innocence about her. She is only just coming towards the verge of woman-hood. In many ways she is still a child at the outset of the play. At the beginning of the play her father, Capulet, asserts this to Paris her potential suitor, saying: "My child is yet a stranger in the world, / She hath not yet seen the change of fourteen years;" (1.2.8-9). When Lady Capulet enters with the intention of expressing her desire to see Juliet marry Paris, Nurse reminisces of some sweet thing Juliet did as a small three-year-old child, emphasising that not much

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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What is the importance of Friar Lawrence in this novel? -- Romeo and Juliet

"What is the importance of Friar Lawrence in this novel?" Friar Lawrence was one of the most important characters in the novel. Even though he was not on the stage for most of the play he greatly contributed to the tragedy that would soon happen at the end of the play. There was basically three major parts that lead to the death of Romeo and Juliet, which Friar Lawrence was involved in all of them. Friar Lawrence played a vital role in the marriage, planning and death of Romeo and Juliet. His attempts to do the right thing were noble, but because of poor planning they would soon lead to the inevitable tragedy. Friar Laurance marries Romeo and Juliet even though he believes that the marriage will end up in tragedy. However he marries them in hope that it will end the continuous feuding between the two families. When Romeo asks Friar Laurance to marry him with Juliet the Friar doesn't think that his love is true. "O, she knew well/Thy love did read by rote and could not spell." (Act 2, Scene 3, 87-88). As was his love for Rosaline, the Friar believes that his love for Juliet will not last. Even though he thinks that the marriage is flawed he agrees to marry them in his own self interest of ending the feuding. "Come, come with me, and we will make/short work;/For, by you leaves, you shall not stay alone/Till Holy Church incorporate two in one." (Act 2, scene 6, 34-27). This is

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  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Discuss the representation of the feud in Romeo and Juliet.

ETMA 2 Discuss the representation of the feud in Romeo and Juliet. The essence of Romeo and Juliet involves the lovers' struggle against the social structures which prohibit their union. This essay will examine these structures, which range from the concrete to the abstract, their families' enmity and the social importance placed on masculine honour. These obstacles spring from the families' 'ancient grudge' and I will analyse the vehicles used by Shakespeare to represent the feud to the audience. The theme of violent tragedy runs through the work almost from the opening lines. Chorus tells the story of the play and appears to judge the parents of the lovers as their murderers due to their inability to resolve their differences. 'A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.................. Which but their children's end naught could remove-' (1.1.6 -10). It is notable that no reason is explained for the conflict and this serves to make it appear particularly futile. To Shakespeare's audience, public feuding and fighting were a matter of daily occurrence despite laws which sought ineffectively to control them. Here Shakespeare draws a parallel with the ineffectual laws of Verona. The feud justifies many aspects of life in Verona and draws many parallels to life in Elizabethan England where duels and public affrays where considered the norm. Family honour,

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Explore the ways that the audience is prepared for the

Explore the ways that the audience is prepared for the events in the final scene of Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. It is known worldwide and is still relevant today as people are still falling in love and sadly committing suicide as they believe they will be together. The main themes are love, fate and death. These themes are discussed all the way through the play from beginning to end. Romeo and Juliet have similar attitudes towards love. Romeo describes love as being 'too rough, too rude, too boist'rous and it pricks like a thorn', the audience may get the impression that Romeo will not fall in love with anyone as he feels this strongly against love. Juliet thinks love is 'too like the lightening which doth cease to be. Ere one can say 'it lightens''. This shows the audience that Juliet is cautious of love and might find it difficult to fall in love. Shakespeare uses oxymoron's to describe Romeo's love for Rosaline. When Romeo falls in love with Juliet, Shakespeare uses more romantic language. The audience may get the impression that Romeo wasn't really in love with Rosaline as Romeo was overdramatic whereas when he fell in love with Juliet he seemed more genuine. Juliet feels that she had no control over falling in love with Romeo. Juliet describes falling in love as 'my only love sprung from my only hate'. The audience

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  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Comparative essay on theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet and the Taming of the Shrew

Comparative essay on theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet and the Taming of the Shrew Romeo and Juliet and the Taming of the Shrew are the famous plays written by William Shakespeare in the 16th Century. In the two plays, Shakespeare tried to explore many aspects in human life and the theme of love is one of the common themes in the two plays. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, love refers to the affectionate devotion that exists between a relationship. There are many different kinds of love within a relationship. In this paper, I am going to focus my discussion on the kind of love between men and women. What I am going to do is to compare and contrast the theme of love in the two plays by answering two questions. Those questions are: what is the theme of love in the plays and how is it presented. First of all, let's discuss what the theme of love in both plays is. There are three couples in the plays, they are Romeo and Juliet; Lucentio and Bianca; Katherine and Petruccio. In both plays, Romeo and Juliet and Lucentio and Bianca are young couples. The idea of love at first sight can be applied to their relationship. For example, when Romeo and Juliet first meet, they naturally fall in love with each other and it seems there is no reason behind their love. Everything just happens so naturally and directly. In the Taming of the Shrew, when

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Discuss the treatment of gender politics in Romeo and Juilet(TM) and Antony and Cleopatra(TM)

Discuss the treatment of gender politics in 'Romeo and Juilet' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' The issue of gender politics has always been a prevalent theme for the basis of Renaissance literature with the traditional roles of men and women often being challenged. The Renaissance era held strong ideals of how men and women should behave strongly defining the differences between the sexes; 'history, society and culture shape though not entirely determine the ways in which men and women perceive themselves and are perceived by others1'. Gender politics it could be argued bleeds into social construction which can be defined as 'any institutionalized entity or artefact in a social system 'invented' or 'constructed' by participants in a particular culture or society that exists because people agree to behave as if it exists or follow certain conventional rules'. The study of Shakespeare can be described generally as a consideration of individual and society in the plays, but this is a clearly too vague a formula to stand by itself without close analysis. Focusing on Shakespeare's, 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' I am going to explore the notion that men and women's gender roles is often shaped by the society in which they live and examine whether these publications challenge traditional gender roles. Throughout Shakespeare's plays the roles of the female protagonists

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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