If you were to write an essay on this play, what angle might you take? What would the specific, arguable, unified thesis statement be? I challenge you to think of “off the beaten path” topics.
Were I to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet, I would want to focus on the different types of love Shakespeare presents throughout the play in addition to their significance. There are three main kinds I would center on:
1) Romeo's initial infatuation with Rosaline 2) Romeo and Juliet's passionate/romantic "love" 3) Mercutio's crude interpretations of love
It's (really) rough, but I think my thesis would go something along the lines of:
From Romeo’s initial infatuation for Rosaline and his eventual star-crossed love with Juliet, to Mercutio’s crude remarks and interpretations, Shakespeare presents the concept of love in numerous forms throughout the play.
My essay would discuss the way that the characters and the language in the play outweigh the plot to the extent that Shakespeare even gives it away from the beginning.
It is not the plot that makes Romeo and Juliet the classic that it is; instead, the development of the characters and the richness of the language that make the play memorable.
I would probably discuss the spontaneous relationship between Romeo and Juliet, and the effects of their intense, young love. I would discuss how they eventually die for love with suicide as the outlet, but it is not seen as a tragedy because they will be together.
The intense passion Romeo and Juliet have for each other creates an impulsive outlet of suicide, dying for love, but their deaths are not seen with sadness; the reader feels satisfied that the couple can be together once again.
I noticed how Shakespeare uses light and dark imagery throughout the play. Both Romeo and Juliet describe each other as a light that brightens the darkness, but they only use subdued lights, such as the stars or torches. True light, from the sun, is in fact their enemy since it forces them to part.
Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet repeatedly describe one another as a light in their darkness, but pure sunlight becomes their enemy; it puts their dangerous situation into plain sight.
Throughout the play, the relationship between Friar Lawrence and the two love struck teenagers and its effect on the play is one of the subplots that intrigued me. His relationship with Juliet is at most times quite simple. However, Romeo often seeks advice and sometimes he does not like what he hears.
Although it is the eventual actions of Romeo and Juliet that leads to both of their untimely deaths, it is Friar Lawrence who brings out the strong personalities of both characters and ultimately sets these two star crossed lovers' fate.
Shakespeare seemed to some how use emotions to sort of drive Romeo and Juliet's character and actions.The story is so dramatic and in some instances it seemed like emotions characterized the characters.
Being and young lovers and disconnect with their peers, Romeo and Juliet let their emotions run wild, and ultimately choose their fate.
If I were to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet it would be on how does the overt theme of violence in Verona influence the actions of Romeo and Juliet?
While some may see the impulsive suicidal nature of Romeo and Juliet as an effect of their age and immature personalities, it is also a direct influence of the repeated acts of violence enacted by the citizens of Verona.
I would focus on the role of love in the novel and the different types of love. Shakespeare shows a tension that was existent at the time between conventional love--decided by the family--and a new love that was based on desire. Desire has created an individualism when it comes to love and Shakespeare epitomizes that in both Romeo and Juliet. The addition of people like Samson, Gregory, and Mercutio as foils helps to contrast the new and the old.
In a society dominated by the male presence over love, Romeo and Juliet cast out tradition by following their desire and creating an individualistic view of love.
If I were to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet, I would discuss the ways in which love can conquer over a family feud that has lasted for hundreds of years. We can admire their boldness and desire to be more open to the possibilities of love.
Through one moment in time, the death of Romeo and Juliet, the family feud between the Capulets and the Montagues is broken. Shakespeare portrays love through two teenagers, which at first seems immature, yet in the end, it's admirable.
I think that I would write about the characterization of the characters. Throughout the novel both Romeo and Juliet grow more and more desperate. Their desperation and age are a large part, but also what their love drives them to do changes them throughout the play.
Romeo and Juliet on the surface may seem like a beautiful tale of sane lovers, but it really is a desperate story of crazed teenagers.
Because I am not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet, I would write my essay on the lack of maturity portrayed by Romeo and Juliet in there rash decision making. Their deaths are wasted because of hormones; practically nothing was overcome by their romanticized deaths. In fact, their deaths probably fueled even more conflict between the two houses.
I would compare the events of Romeo and Juliet with the nature of conflict in the modern day and how we as a people can cut loose from blood ties and find humanity and compassion, just as these star crossed lovers did.
I would try to concentrate on the impulsive young love of Shakespeare's two most famous characters for my essay. Their age and immaturity causes Romeo and Juliet to irrationally take their lives. Shakespeare's legendary love story is possibly no more than two temperamental teens. But even as deranged as it is, I have to admire both of their bravery.
Even though Romeo and Juliet's legendary love turns out to be the dramatic love affair of two impulsive teenagers, we can admire them for their fearless, albeit irrational, sacrifices for the other.
If I were to write an essay on the play, I would argue that "love conquers all" is not the moral of the story. Romeo and Juliet only had young love, and it was the sacrifice of their lives that was necessary to bring the families together. The moral of the story is instead to avoid family conflicts without cause. I would focus on the ages and quick nature of the love of Romeo and Juliet, the violence between the families, and then the ultimate reconciliation of the families.
I would discuss how "scientifically," love has proven to have the same effect on the brain as many drugs. It often creates a sense of euphoria and can even become an addiction to some.
Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet provide evidence that love has the same effect on the brain as many drugs. Just like a drug would, the love that the two feel becomes an addiction and becomes a necessity, rather than a gift.
My essay would focus on the literary devices Shakespeare uses throughout the play. He uses many metaphors, hyperbole and parallelism to emphasize the character's actions and emotions.
Shakespeare uses many literary devices throughout the play to emphasize emotions like passion, greed and love.
Were I to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet, I would want to focus on the different types of love Shakespeare presents throughout the play in addition to their significance. There are three main kinds I would center on:
ReplyDelete1) Romeo's initial infatuation with Rosaline
2) Romeo and Juliet's passionate/romantic "love"
3) Mercutio's crude interpretations of love
It's (really) rough, but I think my thesis would go something along the lines of:
From Romeo’s initial infatuation for Rosaline and his eventual star-crossed love with Juliet, to Mercutio’s crude remarks and interpretations, Shakespeare presents the concept of love in numerous forms throughout the play.
My essay would discuss the way that the characters and the language in the play outweigh the plot to the extent that Shakespeare even gives it away from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteIt is not the plot that makes Romeo and Juliet the classic that it is; instead, the development of the characters and the richness of the language that make the play memorable.
My essay would examine the role that the ages of Romeo and Juliet play throughout the novel. I'd discuss the numerous naive decisions Romeo makes, and I'd attempt to make the argument that his fatal flaw nothing more than adolescence. By analyzing specific scenes and conversations, I would hope to ultimately tie it to that fatal flaw idea, but I can see a few holes in that argument, so I may have to stick with simplistic idea of just proving his naiveté.
ReplyDeleteI would probably discuss the spontaneous relationship between Romeo and Juliet, and the effects of their intense, young love. I would discuss how they eventually die for love with suicide as the outlet, but it is not seen as a tragedy because they will be together.
ReplyDeleteThe intense passion Romeo and Juliet have for each other creates an impulsive outlet of suicide, dying for love, but their deaths are not seen with sadness; the reader feels satisfied that the couple can be together once again.
I noticed how Shakespeare uses light and dark imagery throughout the play. Both Romeo and Juliet describe each other as a light that brightens the darkness, but they only use subdued lights, such as the stars or torches. True light, from the sun, is in fact their enemy since it forces them to part.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the play, Romeo and Juliet repeatedly describe one another as a light in their darkness, but pure sunlight becomes their enemy; it puts their dangerous situation into plain sight.
My essay would focus on something admirable in spite of all of Romeo's faults: that he had something to say and he said it.
ReplyDeleteDespite his age, despite his whiny disposition, and despite his imprudent obsessions, Romeo can be admired for his boldness.
Throughout the play, the relationship between Friar Lawrence and the two love struck teenagers and its effect on the play is one of the subplots that intrigued me. His relationship with Juliet is at most times quite simple. However, Romeo often seeks advice and sometimes he does not like what he hears.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is the eventual actions of Romeo and Juliet that leads to both of their untimely deaths, it is Friar Lawrence who brings out the strong personalities of both characters and ultimately sets these two star crossed lovers' fate.
Shakespeare seemed to some how use emotions to sort of drive Romeo and Juliet's character and actions.The story is so dramatic and in some instances it seemed like emotions characterized the characters.
ReplyDeleteBeing and young lovers and disconnect with their peers, Romeo and Juliet let their emotions run wild, and ultimately choose their fate.
If I were to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet it would be on how does the overt theme of violence in Verona influence the actions of Romeo and Juliet?
ReplyDeleteWhile some may see the impulsive suicidal nature of Romeo and Juliet as an effect of their age and immature personalities, it is also a direct influence of the repeated acts of violence enacted by the citizens of Verona.
I would focus on the role of love in the novel and the different types of love. Shakespeare shows a tension that was existent at the time between conventional love--decided by the family--and a new love that was based on desire. Desire has created an individualism when it comes to love and Shakespeare epitomizes that in both Romeo and Juliet. The addition of people like Samson, Gregory, and Mercutio as foils helps to contrast the new and the old.
ReplyDeleteIn a society dominated by the male presence over love, Romeo and Juliet cast out tradition by following their desire and creating an individualistic view of love.
If I were to write an essay on Romeo and Juliet, I would discuss the ways in which love can conquer over a family feud that has lasted for hundreds of years. We can admire their boldness and desire to be more open to the possibilities of love.
ReplyDeleteThrough one moment in time, the death of Romeo and Juliet, the family feud between the Capulets and the Montagues is broken. Shakespeare portrays love through two teenagers, which at first seems immature, yet in the end, it's admirable.
I think that I would write about the characterization of the characters. Throughout the novel both Romeo and Juliet grow more and more desperate. Their desperation and age are a large part, but also what their love drives them to do changes them throughout the play.
ReplyDeleteRomeo and Juliet on the surface may seem like a beautiful tale of sane lovers, but it really is a desperate story of crazed teenagers.
Because I am not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet, I would write my essay on the lack of maturity portrayed by Romeo and Juliet in there rash decision making. Their deaths are wasted because of hormones; practically nothing was overcome by their romanticized deaths. In fact, their deaths probably fueled even more conflict between the two houses.
ReplyDeleteI would compare the events of Romeo and Juliet with the nature of conflict in the modern day and how we as a people can cut loose from blood ties and find humanity and compassion, just as these star crossed lovers did.
I would try to concentrate on the impulsive young love of Shakespeare's two most famous characters for my essay. Their age and immaturity causes Romeo and Juliet to irrationally take their lives. Shakespeare's legendary love story is possibly no more than two temperamental teens. But even as deranged as it is, I have to admire both of their bravery.
ReplyDeleteEven though Romeo and Juliet's legendary love turns out to be the dramatic love affair of two impulsive teenagers, we can admire them for their fearless, albeit irrational, sacrifices for the other.
If I were to write an essay on the play, I would argue that "love conquers all" is not the moral of the story. Romeo and Juliet only had young love, and it was the sacrifice of their lives that was necessary to bring the families together. The moral of the story is instead to avoid family conflicts without cause. I would focus on the ages and quick nature of the love of Romeo and Juliet, the violence between the families, and then the ultimate reconciliation of the families.
ReplyDeleteI would discuss how "scientifically," love has proven to have the same effect on the brain as many drugs. It often creates a sense of euphoria and can even become an addiction to some.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the play, Romeo and Juliet provide evidence that love has the same effect on the brain as many drugs. Just like a drug would, the love that the two feel becomes an addiction and becomes a necessity, rather than a gift.
My essay would focus on the literary devices Shakespeare uses throughout the play. He uses many metaphors, hyperbole and parallelism to emphasize the character's actions and emotions.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses many literary devices throughout the play to emphasize emotions like passion, greed and love.