Was Friar Laurence to blame for Romeo and Juliets deaths?
English-Shakespeare coursework Was Friar Laurence partly to blame for Romeo and Juliet's deaths? Friar Laurence is a highly respected Holy, profoundly religious man, that is regarded with respect and has a reputation of deep wisdom with a high social status, as he is well a well-known member of society, in the city of Verona. For many years he has received countless confessions and has strong beliefs in his religion and in life itself. Romeo knows the Friar very well, and he has known him for a long time, Romeo is a very close friend of Friar Laurence's, as Friar Laurence would often here many of Romeo's problems, dealing with young Romeo's dilemma's and lovers, sharing his wisdom and experience with Romeo, to help him through his troubled times. Bringing them closer together, Romeo giving the trust and confidence that he can confide everything with the Friar. Romeo is Cleary very fond of the Friar and would regard the friars decisions and advise often as the very best, and with high priority. Which means Romeo would take Friar Laurence's advice seriously and could easily follow any misjudgements that the Friar could possibly make. Both the feuding Capulet's and Montague's are close with the Friar, and I am sure Friar would have given countless advice and heard many confessions each family, giving him massive insight and knowledge into both families and the spiteful,
The balcony scene, Act 2 Scene 2, in Romeo & Juliet is considered to be the most famous, romantic scene in the history of theatre & film. Discuss
The balcony scene, Act 2 Scene 2, in Romeo & Juliet is considered to be the most famous, romantic scene in the history of theatre & film. Discuss this scene & how it is effective as a piece of drama, pay particular attention to the different attitudes of Romeo & Juliet to their love & to their predicament. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is by far the most famous historic love story of all time. It has been studied and performed all over the world and has been adapted into many films. Famous directors such as Baz Lurhmann [1996] and Franco Zeffirelli [1968] have interpreted it and made numerous Hollywood productions. Also musicals such as West Side Story [1961] have been adapted from 'Romeo and Juliet' to create modern, yet entertaining versions of this story. Still today, hundreds of years after it was written, the balcony scene is parodied in television adverts and sketches. It has become part of our culture; even people who are generally not familiar with any of Shakespeare's other works know the reference to 'Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?' I intend to focus this essay on how Act 2 Scene 2 is effective as a piece of drama firstly by analysing Romeo and Juliet's different attitudes to love and their predicament and then by looking closely at the structure and language which Shakespeare uses. I will begin by discussing Romeo and Juliet's different
Themes in Romeo and Juliet
In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare introduces many themes that he continues throughout all of his tragedies, including the language of love vs. the language of death. The balcony scene is the most valuable scene illustrating the language of love, whereas in the final scene of the play the language of death is used to set the stage for their suicides, pulling together the tragic ending of the play. Throughout the second scene of Act II, Romeo uses beautiful metaphors and similes to express his affection for Juliet: O, speak again bright angel, for thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head As is a winged messenger of heaven.(Rom. II. II, 28-30.) This passage is used to compare Juliet to an angel, somethign that is universally held as sacred and lovely. Elsewhere in the scene there are lines that describe their love for one another, and add to the romantic theme of the scene: And but thou love me, let them find me here. My life better ended by their hate The death prorogued, wanting of thy love.(Rom. II. II, 76-78.) In the final scene of the play, there is much talk of death by Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Juliet. Romeo announces his own demise in his soliloquy: Depart again. Here, here I will remain With worms and chambermaids. O, here Will I set my everlasting rest And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied
Discuss the effectiveness of the transformation of the Desert Scene from text to screen.
Discuss the effectiveness of the transformation of the Desert Scene from text to screen. Baz Luhrmann has used many very effective film techniques in transforming the Mantua scene from text to screen. Through the choice of specific setting, music and camera techniques, he has emphasised the role of fate and haste in the lovers' tragedy. The setting of Mantua in a barren, desert environment reinforces the isolation of Romeo's banishment. With the harsh, unrelenting sun engulfing the scene with a strong orange light, it provides a stark contrast to earlier scenes where the love between Romeo and Juliet blossomed. The desert is a sterile environment, where in the absence of water, life ceases to exist. Baz Luhrmann has effectively employed the visual juxtaposition of water and desert to convey Romeo's isolation. Even the caravans, a temporary residence, are situated far apart. But the desert does not only convey a literal setting, it is also symbolic of Romeo's emotional desert. Without Juliet, Romeo's life is barren and sterile. This metaphorical setting highlights the depth and true love between Romeo and Juliet. Romeo's love for Juliet is not an infatuation, but rather having known her, his life becomes meaningless without her. We see Romeo writing in his isolation, and his emotions are clearly conveyed through the use of voice-over monologue. Him half mouthing the words
Romeo and Juliet - Juliets diary. Saturday 1595, my own bed.
Saturday 1595, my own bed. Lady Capulet spent ages getting ready for tonight's ball. She was excited, got into a right tizzy. She's looking for a suitor for Juliet; mentioned County Paris, a fine but waxy young man .He would make her an honourable husband and Juliet could grow with him. She could always have an affair should he bore her. I told Juliet to "Seek happy days to make happy nights." Juliet was much cooler than her mother and amused at her mother's anxieties. Juliet said that she would look to like if liking move her. She means to see if the fancies Paris. Romeo Montague gate-crashed the Ball, Cousin Tybalt recognised his voice and immediately called for his rapier. Old Capulet stopped cousin Tybalt from attacking him. Tybalt will not let this go, he considers this an intrusion and will seek his revenge. This feud had been going on too long. Peter told me there had been a fracas in the town between Capulets and Montages, Prince Escalus had said that the fighting had better stop "On pain of death". At the ball I saw Juliet talking with a handsome, fit looking young man. Cousin Tybalt recognised him as Romeo Montague by his voice. Tybalt was ready to stick this intruder, but Old Capulet said, "Content the gentle coz, let him alone". Tybalt will bide his time and seek revenge for this intrusion later. Juliet spent ages on her balcony when she was
Critical Evaluation of "Romeo and Juliet" By Baz Luhrmann
Eddie Nisbet 3B2 Critical Evaluation of "Romeo and Juliet" By Baz Luhrmann "Romeo and Juliet" directed by Baz Luhrmann is possibly the most famous love story of all time about the two star crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. Luhrmann had the task of remaking the classic play, written by the even more famous William Shakespeare, into a film that would appeal to a younger audience despite the Shakespearian language. Due to the language in the film, Luhrmann has to use many different techniques to help the audience understand what is happening or to help them relate to the story. The film is set in a fictitious city that is meant to be Verona in Italy but it looks more like a larger American city. This helps younger viewers relate to the film as many of them will live in large cities themselves. The most basic way of Luhrmann showing how different the Montagues and Capulets were was their race. The Montagues are white Americans and the Capulets are Hispanic, from a southern American country. This immediately tells the audience that the families are different and that racism may play a large part in the story. Also, he shows the families are different by the way they dress, the Montagues dress like surfers, very casually with shorts and shirts with bright colours where as the Capulets dress formally wearing smart trousers and shirts with blank blazers. Although the families
Compare the way in which Luhrmann and Zeffirelli introduce the characters of Romeo and Juliet in their film versions of Shakespeare's play.
Compare the way in which Luhrmann and Zeffirelli introduce the characters of Romeo and Juliet in their film versions of Shakespeare's play Films are made to make money and attract mass audiences. Most filmmakers want to aim their film at a wide range of people so that their film is a box office success. Films are more advanced than performances of plays in theatres as they can use lighting, sound effects, music and cameras to create atmosphere and influence people's reactions by using close-up shots of things they want the audience to take notice of. In a film the camera is the viewer's eye so they can only see what the camera allows them to but in a play the audience can see everything at once and the camera isn't there to zoom in on something which they need to recognise as significant as it can in a film. Filmmakers can also use costumes and settings to suggest a character's personality or the atmosphere of the place they are in. Also, in films, computerised sound effects and real settings can be used. In films they can have sets outdoors, in houses and anywhere else they need to but in a play they cannot have real settings as they are all artificial and have to be changed for nearly every scene. In plays they cannot have large crowds of people for a battle or suchlike as they would not all fit on the stage so they have to have limited numbers and this, therefore, is not
Show how Romeo is changed by love and how the language of Shakespeare conveys this change.
Sara Moulds LVJP Show how Romeo is changed by love and how the language of Shakespeare conveys this change. Romeo and Juliet was written in Elizabethan times, and the traditional Elizabethan language that was used in the play, was used to convey emotions. As the play progresses, the language Romeo uses changes, making it indisputable that his feelings change. These changes are shown by figurative clevices, such as metaphors, similes, and cosmic references. As the play moves on, Romeo's language changes from oppressive to unrestrained and carefree. Looking at scenes from the play, I will display these changes. In Act One, Scene One, Romeo is in a despondent, and dejected state of mind, because of his feelings for Rosaline. He proves his depression with use of references to time. "Ay me, sad hours seem long." He says this whilst conversing with Benvolio, and Romeo then goes on to speak about if Rosaline returned his feelings, his time would go much faster "Not having that, which having, makes them short." He subsequently speaks in highly pretentious, metaphorical speech, using oxymorons, such as "loving hate", "heavy lightness", and "serious
“Discuss the Importance of Act 2, Scene 2, in the Context of the Play as a Whole”
September 11th 2001 "Discuss the Importance of Act 2, Scene 2, in the Context of the Play as a Whole" Act Two Scene Two is a very important scene in Romeo and Juliet. In this scene, William Shakespeare demonstrates development of characters, development of themes, and demonstrates linguistic and theatrical techniques. In this essay I shall explore and deliberate all these different areas. The characters in this play mature throughout this scene. This scene also enables us to look closely at Shakespeare's language. We already know from previous themes, that Romeo is young and naïve, and his behaviour over one of his previous love interests, Rosalind, that he is a very simulated, courtly lover. "She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead to tell it now" (Line 221, Act 1, Sc 1) However, the language used is romantic, but at the same time elaborate, in the way that Juliet is spoken of. He uses clichéd, formal, beautiful verse, but whenever Shakespeare speaks, we are made very aware that Romeo wants to have sex. "O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek." (Line 24, Act 2, Sc 2) This quotation lets us have a look at his physical desire- Romeo recognisably wants to have sex with Juliet. It is this desire for such an intimate physical relationship that permits us to question his sincerity over his enamuored love for
"Empire" film magazine has decided to have a section aimed at teenagers. You have been asked to write about adaptations of literacy/drama classics. Write an article in which you analyse the opening scene of Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet".
Becki Miller "Empire" film magazine has decided to have a section aimed at teenagers. You have been asked to write about adaptations of literacy/drama classics. Write an article in which you analyse the opening scene of Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo and Juliet", commenting on its appeal to and impact on a young audience, and reviewing the media techniques employed. Imagine the fast moving all action pace of 'The fast and the furious' and combine that with the romance and tragedy of 'Titanic' and you would have just a few aspects of the Baz Luhrmann remake of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. Prepare yourself to be slung into the middle of all the action from the very beginning by the sheer imagination of the century's old play set in the modern day, yet the Shakespearian language fitting perfectly into the 1990's setting. Not only has the setting been changed from Venice to Miami, but even some of the storyline, exchanging swords for guns and the meeting place in the beginning from the market place to a petrol station. The prologue which originally would have been spoken by a chorus is expressed by a news reporter who appears on a television screen in a blank background, at first the television appears miniature and gradually expands to the entire width of the TV you are watching on, and so drawing you in with it. From then on your eyes don't leave the screen except