essay plan

• Fate. Introduction

  · Fate-forces outside of human control which predetermine what happens in our lives nothing we can do to change what is happening to us now or what will happen to us in the future.

  
  

  · Freewill is the exact antithesis of this all of our consequences are just a result of us exercising our own choices.

  
  

  · plays a powerful role against Romeo and Juliet's relationship as their undying love is set to end in death and sorrow
• "A pair of star-crossed lovers" who will "take their life"

  "two hours' traffic of our stage"


  Prologue.

  theme of fate as it tells the audience what is going to happen before it happens

  this is a dramatic tool used to create tension. excite them, as they are intrigued to know what the series of events that led up to the lovers' downfall.

  
  

  By doing this- it is evident that the characters are unable to escape their impending doom.

  
  

  · Commonly performed by a chorus (a group of people) -idea that the protagonists' lives are not in their own hands.

  
  

  · the "two hours' traffic of our stage". increases the tension- constant anticipation of the two protagonists. The tension and anticipation is resolved when the prophecy is finally fulfilled.

  
  

  · "A pair of star-crossed lovers" who will "take their life". "Star-crossed" lovers are those whose relationship is doomed to fail due to outside forces.

  
  

  astrology - control peoples destiny. Thus, the fate of a relationship is written in the stars.

  
  

  · they are fated lovers, misfortune will come

  
  

  · the stars have aligned for them to meet, their love is so powerful, they were destined to be together

  
  

  · their love is unable to carry on due to societal and family conflicts

  
  

  · metaphor, although it shows that they were destined to be together it also bares a tragic image of two people who have gone against fate to be with each other to then face serious consequences
• "the violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder"

  'unhappy fortune!'.


  Point: Friar. Alludes to fate

  "the violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder"

  · means that intense, passionate emotions often lead to destructive consequences

  fire and powder destroy each other upon contact

  
  

  · role of the friar in the play (parental) although they don't listen to this vital remark

  
  

  · oxymorons show uncertainty, although it may look nice there is a darker inside to it

  
  

  · worry the audience for R and J die to use of foreshadowing-

  
  

  · 'triumph' best part, epiphany, when all is good, when they are at the best part of their relationship it all burns out

  
  

  · Keeps audience engaged in the plot by suggesting more potential conflict in the story

  creates a sense of suspense as the reader wonders why Friar Laurence would utter this warning.

  
  

  Shakespeare also suggests that Friar Laurence blames fate for this unfortunate event.

  'unhappy fortune!'. bad luck that the letter has not reached Romeo.

  · fortune' implies that Friar Laurence blames a higher power for this coincidence.

  
  

  · Friar Laurence's words could echo the Elizabethan audience's fears that fate has already decided Romeo and Juliet are doomed.

  
  

  · Shakespeare's choice for the letter to be undelivered creates tension for the audience, as they begin to wonder if Romeo and Juliet are drawing ever-closer to their tragic deaths.
• I defy you stars!

  'O happy dagger!'


  Point: Forfillment of fate

  
  

  I defy you stars!

  
  

  Romeo's impulsive attitude towards love is his downfall/ harmartia

  · exclamative

  here, Romeo is challenging fate, asserting that nothing can keep him from Juliet- not even death.

  · defy- he wants a different fate and his own free will. However, Shakespeare believed that free will always leads to predestined fate, no matter what you do.

  
  

  · Astrological imagery- however in the prologue the stars weren't aligned.

  
  

  · Elizabethan audiences feel sympathetic but understand fate as supernatural has big influence over society.

  
  

  'O happy dagger!'

  
  

  Shows her devotion. For filled fate

  
  

  · Oxymoronic language, the adjective "good" alongside the instrument of her death, the "dagger" shows she is welcoming her death as the dagger will allow her to be with Romeo, the true source of her happiness.

  
  

  · Exclamative- heightens her emotions and emphasises her excitement to be with her lover. Allows the fate to be fulfilled.

  
  

  · As an audience, we are shocked at how fast-paced this dramatic scene unfolds as well as being solemn due to losing the characters we have become close to over five acts. The fate of the characters, however, was revealed in the monologue and this fate was fulfilled. Juliet allowed us to understand that she is now at peace with Romeo, and this was the only way for her to feel like this. On the other hand, modern audiences may see this as overdramatic, and Juliet's actions are unjustified
• stranger in the world' 'hang, beg, starve, die in the streets'


  Point: Shakespeare explores how the restrictions of arranged marriage force Juliet closer to her tragic death.

  
  

  · Juliet's future is out of her hands. Unlike romeo

  
  

  we witness a discussion about her between Lord Capulet and Paris. Before even meeting her

  
  

  · Although Lord Capulet is protective over Juliet, urging Paris to wait for two more years as Juliet is still a 'stranger in the world', he does consent to Paris wooing Juliet before asking Juliet's views. therefore, that Juliet has limited say in her future.

  
  

  · Audience wonder how the marriage between Romeo and Juliet can end happily- has chosen suitor and Romeo is son of her father's arch-enemy.

  
  

  
  

  · When Lord Capulet decides to speed up the marriage, Juliet is pressured to take action. Knowing that she will 'hang, beg, starve, die in the streets' if she refuses to marry Paris, Juliet feels she has no option but to consent, and plan an escape.

  
  

  · Perhaps if Lord Capulet had not chosen to bring the marriage forward by two years, Juliet may have had an opportunity to be reunited with Romeo.

  
  

  · Shakespeare challenging traditional patriarchal attitudes to marriage, in which the daughter has limited say over her husband, because this is arguably a contributing factor in Juliet's death.
• O I am fortunes fool


  Point: · Romeo acts impulsively, which contributes to his tragic downfall.

  
  

  · metaphor with antithesis, fortunate to have married Juliet, fool for killing tybalt, fortunate to be alive

  
  

  · fate has been particularly cruel considering his probable death under the Prince's declaration, cataphoric reference,

  
  

  · fortunate to have loved Juliet but a fool for killing himself when she was sleeping, unmistakeable reiteration of prologue
• Parental Figures

  Introduction

  · Romeo and Juliet belong to two different families of the noble class living in Verona. The families have been engaged in a feud for as long as anyone can remember to the point that everyone has forgotten the initial cause of the feud.

  
  

  · The biological parents-Their roles in their children's lives, wasn't guidance or support, but as authority figures who enforced the rules of society and cared for their well being, though weren't entirely invested in the details of their life.
• "let two more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may we think her ripe to be bride"

  "But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart"

  "Stranger to the world"


  Point:Lord Capulet is portrayed by Shakespeare as a good, loving father.

  
  

  "let two more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may we think her ripe to be bride"

  
  

  =he is saying that Juliet is too young and that he should wait till she's older='ripe' is a fruit and it's showing her value as an object

  = Capulet is presented as a good parent here by looking out for her daughter by instinuating that she is too young so if Paris really wants to marry her then he should wait two more years when Juliet is older and familiar with the world.

  
  

  "But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart"

  Capulet wants Paris to get Juliet to fall in love with him.

  
  

  Stranger to the world"

  
  

  · demonstrates that he is hesitant in arranging the marriage too quickly, aware of the damage this may cause to Juliet's youth and innocence.

  
  

  · during the sixteenth century, the legal age for marriage was twelve years old and the fact that Juliet is unmarried at thirteen years old shows that Capulet sincerely cares for her wellbeing.

  
  

  · In Elizabethan society, the father would always arrange the marriage of the daughter for practical reasons, in a way that suits the family and provides the daughter with a secure future.

  
  

  · The Elizabethan audience would therefore have recognised that Lord Capulet was trying to fulfil his role as a good father and would have perceived his decision to delay the marriage for two years as very protective.

  
  

  · Shakespeare's choice to present Lord Capulet in this way makes his actions all the more shocking later in the play, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris.
• "These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die like fire and powder"

  
  

  Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."


  Point: Friar. Trusted figure. Romeo seeks advice from him

  
  

  "Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."

  
  

  This metaphors elucidates how disappointed friar is in Romeo. he thinks that men only care about women's appearances and not about who they are
• "I'll give you to much friend; and you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets" Act 3:5

  "Young baggage"- Lord Capulet


  Point: Lord Capulet's attitudes are an antethesis of act 1

  
  

  · 'baggage'- carried around, scruffed, not much care

  
  

  · 'give you to my friend' marriage was a business arrangement, objectified, giving away, no connection

  
  

  · contradicts Capulet's earlier view on marriage.

  originally offers J a 'scope of choice' for marriage but becomes deeply angered when she refuses

  
  

  · imperative verbs worry the audience, his violent persona visible

  
  

  · There is venom in what Capulet says. He doesn't just simply banish her, he has a lengthy list of things he wishes to happen to her, as if to prolong her suffering. The monosyllabic words add to the violence with which they can be delivered

  
  

  · progressive verbs leading to death shows the uncontrolled nature of her father, the fact that he would let her die is very worrying

  
  

  · Capulet's language lowers her socially, to the level of a criminal ("hang) or vagabond (beg, starve"). He destroys her physically, emotionally and socially

  
  

  · Contrasts Act 1 Scene 3 where Juliet appears from the opening to be a typically passive and obedient aristocratic daughter, doing as her father pleases, but the flourishes (ornaments) in her language and subtle disagreements with her parents foreshadow her later betrayal of their wilt.

  
  

  · CONTEXT: this argument would be normal for audience of the time as marriage was seen as an arrangement than for pleasure
• · Lady Capulet frequently refers to Juliet as 'daughter',

  the nurse has affectionate nicknames for Juliet, such as 'lamb' and 'ladybird'.

  'the hopeful lady of my earth'.

  'earth has swallowed all my hopes but she'


  Point: Shakespeare contrasts the nurse and Lady Capulet in order to comment on parent-child relationships.

  
  

  · Lady Capulet 'daughter',

  the nurse 'lamb' and 'ladybird'.

  
  

  Shakespeare deliberately contrasts these terms of address in order to demonstrate the difference in their relationships.

  
  

  · Lady Capulet =very distant from Juliet and is unaware of how Juliet really feels, She is also uncomfortable speaking alone with Juliet.

  · the nurse breast-fed Juliet, feels very close with Juliet, and is the person that Juliet frequently confides in.

  
  

  · Shakespeare commenting on parent-child relationships in the Elizabethan era.

  
  

  It was normal for wealthy families such as the Capulets to hire a nurse to raise their daughter, but this decision results in them being unaware of their daughter's true wants and desires.

  
  

  'the hopeful lady of my earth'.

  · 'hopeful' conveys to the audience that Capulet has high ambitions for Juliet, which, ultimately, for a woman of Juliet's status, would be a good marriage.

  
  

  · Lord Capulet states that the 'earth has swallowed all my hopes but she'

  
  

  · metaphor Capulets have experienced several miscarriages, thus their only hope of the family name being continued by a child of theirs is placed in Juliet.

  this explains why Lord Capulet is so concerned with ensuring that this is a good match for Juliet, and one that she is happy with.

  
  

  An Elizabethan audience, familiar with the concept of arranged marriage, would have recognised that Lord Capulet's actions in choosing Paris as a suitor were beneficial for Juliet
• Death/ Tradgedy

  Introduction:

  Romeo and Juliet is about how strong emotions have tragic consequences.

  Shakespeare explores how strong, uncontrollable anger can lead to tragedy.
• "The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love."

  "A pair of star-crossed lovers" who will "take their life"

  "two hours' traffic of our stage"


  Point: Death and tragedy. Predestined

  
  

  · Juxtaposition - "death-mark'd love" - suggests that love has already been tainted. Shakespeare tells us that death is present in the play, which gives us a stronger awareness of death when it appears.

  
  

  · Imagery - "passage" - Gives us a sense of a predetermined path. Link to context, many of Shakespeare's audience would have had a firm belief in fate.
• "did my heart love till now?"

  "Two blushing pilgrims"


  Point: In the play as a whole, Shakespeare also presents Romeo as the tragic hero, whose impulsive nature contributes to his own downfall.

  
  

  "did my heart love till now?"

  
  

  · The moment he meets Juliet, Romeo forgets Rosaline, his previous love, and asks 'did my heart love till now?'.

  
  

  · impulsive change of mind is a stark example of the tragic flaw that leads Romeo towards his death, and is just the first of many similar actions:

  
  

  "Two blushing pilgrims"

  · Romeo's devotion towards Juliet

  
  

  · Said during their shared sonnet, a traditional love poem. Shows their synchronicity even on their first meeting

  
  

  · Metaphor implies Romeo has been on a strenuous religious journey in order to absolute his "sin". Shakespeare also wanted to show the extreme lengths to prove himself worthy to Juliet, his "saint".

  
  

  · Blushing shows that he feels aroused by her, they have physical attraction

  
  

  · Shakespeare's presentation of Romeo in this way indicates that Romeo's depth of passion and emotion are partly to blame for the speed at which he and Juliet are catapulted towards their deaths.

  
  

  · If Romeo had been able to think more clearly and rationally rather than rushing to action before considering the consequences, perhaps some of the tragedy could have been avoided.
• a plague on both your houses'.

  'A scratch, a scratch'


  Point: explicit sign of death

  'a plague on both your houses'.

  
  

  In the final moments of his death.

  other words, Mercutio is saying that he wants to curse the Montague and Capulet households because the feud between them has caused his death.

  
  

  · Repatition-emphasises his anger in this scene. shows deep anger

  
  

  · The word 'plague' -links with the actual plague later in the play, which stops Friar John from delivering the letter to Romeo. Perhaps Mercutio's curse comes true.

  
  

  As a result of the 'plague', Romeo never receives the news of Juliet's plan, so he impulsively plans his suicide.

  Perhaps Shakespeare present Mercutio in this way to foreshadow the tragic events later in the play.

  
  

  · Also....plague can be lethal and unstoppable so too will the families' feud become out of hand and lethal as it will kill and injure many people if its not stopped. Curse. Supernaturals audiences

  
  

  · said when Mercutio is killed, his death changes the tone of the play, from there it goes all downhill

  
  

  he was the voice of precaution for the suffering that was yet to happen

  
  

  · ironic that Mercutio blames Romeo even though Mercutio instigated the violence as Romeo attempted to stop it

  
  

  · Mercutio is a realist, change of character upon death, dies with true deep hate of Romeo. Mercutio's line characterizes just how much damage the rivalry between the montagues and Capulets is causing

  
  

  · Furthermore it mirrors the loss and pain both families will feel which foreshadow the death of romeo and Juliet