Communication in the Capulet family: argumentative paragraph

Juliet would not have been forced to take such drastic action if she simply communicated with her family. Ultimately, Juliet, her mother and her father needed to sit down and have a nice long talk.

Romeo and Juliet, the story of two star-crossed lovers, wouldn’t ultimately be different if Juliet had communicated with her family about her love for Romeo. In act 3 scene 4 when Capulet proposes Juliet’s hand in marriage to Paris, both Capulet and Lady Capulet do not know of Juliet’s love for Romeo. When Lady Capulet speaks to Juliet about the marriage she cries “Now, by Saint Peter's Church and Peter too, he shall not make me there a joyful bride” (III, v, 116-117). The significance of this quote is that she would rather die then marry Paris. Later in act 3 scene 5 she tries to reason with Capulet in which he replies “Graze where you will you shall not house with me… And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets” (III, v, 188-192). Capulet threatens to throw Juliet onto the street and watch her either die or become a prostitute, if she doesn’t marry Paris, he also hits her. Now imagine what he would do to her if she came to him saying that she had gone behind his back and married the son of his enemy. He would probably kill her instead of letting the streets do his dirty work.

The Sun. The Moon and The Stars

Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare makes effective use of imagery that is related to the sky. This imagery helps the audience gain a greater understanding of the characters and central themes. A significant quote from the book explaining love is; “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, as daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven”(II, ii, 19-20). The importance of this quote is that Romeo is explaining about how he sees Juliet as bright and star-like. This is significant as Romeo refers to himself as darkness earlier on in the play. This quote ties in with the theme that Juliet, with her love, brings Romeo to the light. Another central theme being discussed in this quote is that everyone’s lives are written through-out the stars. “Is it even so? Then I defy you, stars!” (v.i.24). This quote is explaining how Romeo thinks that everyone’s destiny is in the stars and how he is trying to defy his fate and change it.

Juliet's character profile

How would you describe this character's personality?
I would describe Juliet’s personality as gentle, caring and a little passionate.

How is this character viewed by other people in the play?
Juliet is viewed at the only Capulet heir and the young Capulet lady.

What relationship does this person have to others in the play?
Juliet has a passionate and loving relationship with Romeo. She has a loyal relationship with her mother and father. She has a more intimate relationship with her Nurse though who has raised her from the moment she was born. Juliet’s mother was not as much in her life as the Nurse whom she confides in about Romeo. She has a relationship with Tybalt who is her cousin, however when Romeo kills Tybalt she is far more concerned about Romeo being banished compared to her cousin dying.

What does this character's main role seem to be?
Her main role is Romeo’s love interest. She is meant to be marrying Paris but decides to marry Romeo instead. Her love life is the main plotline of the story. She doesn’t involve herself in any of the fights and is really calm. She is a calm person and her main role is to solve her problems.

Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?
Definetely Love and only love. She doesn’t really show hate as she is too nice. Even when romeo kills tybalt she only feels love for romeo and does not really think about tybalt and hate is never really shown from her point of view. The only time is when the Nurse isn’t telling her about what Romeo has said and then she gets a little bit angry.

Romeo's impulsivity

Romeo is an impulsive character and his actions are influenced by his emotions. A good example of his impulsivity is when he kills Tybalt after Tybalt kills Mercutio, his best friend. “Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again, that late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul is but a little way above our heads, staying for thine to keep him company: Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.”(III, i, 116-120). This quote happens just after Mercutio dies from the fatal stab from Tybalt’s sword and Romeo is furious at the death of his best friend. In his rage he proposes a duel with Tybalt and in his fury he kills Tybalt. This quote is significant as it shows that Romeo is so bound by his emotions that he cannot control himself. Another example of his impulsivity is when he goes to Friar Lawrence and he gives him this advice: “wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast.” The significance of this quote is that Friar Lawrence thinks that Romeo will ruin things if he doesn’t take it slow. Shakespeare uses a technique called foreshadowing, in this instance to show the reader that something tragic is going to happen to Romeo and Juliet.

Respect your elders!

The family elders in the Capulet household are supreme. Tybalt learns this at the party when he is verbally abused by Capulet for saying that he should start a fight with Romeo. “this trick may chance to scathe you, I know what. You must contray me!...Be quiet, or… for shame, I’ll make you quiet what!" This quote is significant in that it makes Tybalt very angry to just sit and watch Romeo at a party at his house and he cannot do anything about it, he vows to get his revenge later, “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall.” The Capulet family elders are the most important in the house and hold absolute power.

Benvolio Character Profile

How would you describe this character's personality?
Benvolio is a wise character. He is similar to Romeo in the fact that he is conservative and doesn't try to start fights. He is different from Romeo in the fact that he is not a fool of love. Benvolio is always there for his cousin and on countless occasions he helps keep Romeo stable.
How is this character viewed by other people in the play?
Benvolio is viewed as a wise and kind person who is very knowledgeable.
What relationship does this person have to others in the play?
He has a close relationship to Romeo and he acts similar to a mentor." Tell me in sadness, who is that you love?" (I, i, 190). This quote is showing how much Benvolio helps Romeo through his obsession with Rosaline.
What does this character's main role seem to be?
To help Romeo and act as a friend to him.
Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?
His choice of words and that he is always there for Romeo.

Romeo Character Profile

How would you describe this character's personality?
Romeo is a person who seems to fall in love with the wrong girls, and when he falls; he falls hard. His first love is Rosaline, it is a love which is unrequited."This love I feel, that feel no love in this" (I, i, 172). This quote shows us that Romeo feels helpless when it comes to his love for Rosaline. His love for her is more based on looks then personality and his idea of her. Romeo is a bit of a fool. He is unrealistic and a hopeless romantic. He is very conservative and doesn't really like to fight. He is best friends with Mercutio. During the beginning of the book he is depressed by the thoughts of his unrequited love for Rosaline.
How is this character viewed by other people in the play?
Romeo is viewed as a nice, handsome young man by the citizens of Verona. He is viewed by Benvolio as his foolish cousin and Juliet views him as a handsome young man. Mercutio views him as his conservative best friend. His parents view his as extremely sad. "Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out... black and portentous must this humor prove." (I, i, 130-132). The significance of this quote is to demonstrate the link between depression and darkness. This is more important later on when he compares Juliet as 'the light'. He is hated by the Capulets.
What relationship does this person have to others in the play?
He has a very hateful with the Capulets particularly Tybalt. Romeo has an estranged relatioship with his parents. He has a playfully antagonistic relationship with Mercutio. Romeo has a close relationship with Benvolio and his relationship with Juliet is passionate and intense. "It is my lady, O it is my love" (II, ii, 10). This quote is showing the signicicance of Romeo's love for Juliet, he has only known her for a short time and yet he loves her.
What does this character's main role seem to be?
He is one of the central characters, the play doesn't exist without him.
Are there any specific themes that you can identify that are linked to this character?
His character follows the theme that he is a romantic and throughout the play he is identified with love sonnets. "My lips, two blushing pilgrima, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." (I, v, 94-95). The significance of this quote is that it is one of the many love sonnets that Romeo and Juliet share throughout the play.

Romeo and Juliet diary entry

Dear Diary

I know I shouldn’t have but I did. Diary, I snuck out to Valerie’s party and I met a guy there. He was sweet, kind and gorgeous. But he’s 25. As you know I am 17. He kissed me and it was the most amazing experience of my life. But we can’t be together. My parents found out that I kissed a 25 year old guy and they said that if I ever see him again they’ll disown me. Diary I don’t know what to do! He is only 8 years older, its not that much. My parents are 10 years apart, For Christ's sake! I think I love him but I don’t know if I should risk upsetting my parents. Oh Diary! Why is life and love so difficult!

Taylor Swift's - Love Story, discussing its relavance to Romeo and Juliet

Outline the subject matter of the poem?

The subject matter of this poem is that a young girl falls in love with a boy and her parents are forcing them apart. After much pleading on the boy’s behalf the parents, especially the dad, give in and let them get married.

Why is the poem entitled “Love Story”? Use evidence from the lyrics to support the titles significance and relevance.

It is titled “Love Story” because it is the story of love between two characters. “I talked to your dad, you'll pick out a white dress. It's a love story, baby, just say yes”.

Describe the relationship between the two characters. Who are they?

They are people who met at a party and they fall in love. Her dad is making him stay away but they sneak out. I guess you could say they have a secretive relationship.

What evidence is there to suggest that these lovers have to overcome obstacles in their relationship?

The dad is forcing them to be apart. “And my daddy said stay away from Juliet”. But they met secretively. “This love is difficult, but it's real”.

What themes and issues are explored in the lyrics and through the video clip?

The difficulty of love and how parents can effect the relationship.

How does the “Love story” end for Romeo and Juliet in the song? Is this how it ends for the Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Why does Taylor Swift end her song this way? What perspective is she writing from and why would they want the story to end this way?

Taylor Swift is writing it from “Juliet’s” point of view and in “Love Story” it ends with them getting married but in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet they both die. Taylor Swift most likely ends it this way so that it isn’t a tragedy but a romance.