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Essay on Fate
This year, we have discussed the idea of fate in relation to both the ODYSSEY and ROMEO AND JULIET. In ancient Greek society, people believed that fate could not be avoided because it was impossible for mortals to foil the will of the gods. Humans had little control over what happened to them. For example, Odysseus was unable to prevent his men eating Helios' cattle, which the prophet Teiresias had warned him about. Similarly, Romeo and Juliet fall prey to fate. Many events occur beyond their control which prevent them from enjoying a happy courtship and marriage. At the end of the play, the reader is left wondering what would have happened had fate not intervened to prevent these lovers from being together. Clearly, fate is something about which Shakespeare wants the reader to think. In the prologue, he calls them, "A pair of star-crossed lovers..." Before Romeo attends the Capulet ball, he fears "Some consequence yet hanging in the stars." In Shakespeare's time, people were wary of what the stars said, and they believed in the consequences of fate.
Think about the role of fate in modern society. Do people believe in fate today or do things happen because they cause them to? Some people believe that it is a combination of the two. In an essay, choose and discuss in depth 3-4 examples of how fate affects the outcome of the tragedy of ROMEO AND JULIET. Also, explain what you believe to be the role of fate in society today and how that view differs from Shakespeare's time. Make sure to include the Act, scene, and lines which you use as evidence of your examples. (I, ii, 34 - 38).
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Essay on Secrecy
Deceit is the "act of concealing or misrepresenting the truth; lying". Deception, lying, cheating, and fraud all come from the same idea of trying to cover up or alter the truth. From these come some of the most intriguing behaviors known to man. From these intrigues come some of the best, most fascinating stories in literature. Humans love a good story, especially one filled with devious turns, lies, and secrets which have to be unraveled before the plot can have any decent kind of end. Modern day soap operas are filled with these deceptions; everyday life is filled with them, too. Even the "white lie," meant to be told for a good reason, can backfire and make a mess of things.
ROMEO AND JULIET is an excellent example of this. Having to hide their love, Romeo and Juliet become entangled in a set of circumstances from which they cannot escape. In the end, the well-intended deceptions and secrets cut down the lives of not only Romeo and Juliet but Mercutio, Tybalt, Paris and many of their kinsmen. In addition the whole of Verona must suffer these losses. While a "forbidden" love can be exciting, this one led to a totally tragic end.
In an essay, show how secrecy creates a web of trouble for Romeo and Juliet from which they cannot escape. Try to come up with all the hiding, lies, and "secret" plans which create this entanglement, and explain at what point these added up to the final outcome - the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. You don't necessarily need specific lines as much as a logical sequencing of the events in the play as they unfold. If you do quote from the play, please cite the Act, scene, lines. (I, ii, 3-10).
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Essay on Revenge
The quest for power often results in actions which are ruthless and sometimes murderous. These actions, in turn, can lead to a very dramatic reaction: revenge. Shakespeare's interest in these dramatic ideas of revenge probably came from his own Elizabethan world, a world full of violence, disease, and uncertainty from day to day. His plays show lives at a time when personal revenge was more the rule than social justice and when the laws of the church and state would give way to street fights and vengeful killing.
Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET opens with a bloody fight between the Capulets and the Montagues, each side defending the family honor and defying the laws of the state. Fighting like this could be in Shakespeare's London or, in modern day, on the streets of almost anywhere in the world. Look at Northern Ireland, Palestine, Afghanistan or even the "mean streets" in some of our cities in the United States.
WEST SIDE STORY, a relatively modern take-off of ROMEO AND JULIET, shows the mean streets of New York City. Even the film TITANIC has a touch of the ROMEO AND JULIET theme with Rose loving Jack and the hatred shown between two groups: the very rich and the very poor.
As long as humans continue in their quest for power, continue in their prejudices and hatred against those who are different, revenge will continue to be a prime motive in people's actions. Shakespeare's plays dealing with revenge will continue to fascinate audiences of today as they did in his Elizabethan times, mostly because the raw emotions of revenge and the actions these emotions bring remain universal to all.
Edgar Allan Poe's "Cask of Amontillado" is one of the best examples of revenge anyone could ever read. Montresor is obsessed with getting revenge on Fortunato, and he does this quite well. While ROMEO AND JULIET doesn't have quite that strong a dose of this "poison," it does include revenge throughout the play. In fact, revenge forms the basis of the plot. In an essay, discuss the idea of revenge in ROMEO AND JULIET and give two to three examples of how it helps to take the plot to its end - to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Make sure you support these examples with examples from the play, along with the Act, scene, and specific lines. (I, ii, 3-10).
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Essay on Love at First Sight
The Beatles ask "Do you believe in a love at first sight?" and respond with "Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time." Romantically speaking, love at first sight seems exciting, but, is it really love, or is it simply infatuation, or even something chemical, something completely inexplicable? Love is blind.
The power of "love," especially a first love, or puppy love, is something which stays with a person forever. Ask your parents to remember back to the first person they fell "head over heels" in love with; ask them what it felt like. Almost everyone has experienced this at one time.
Romeo and Juliet were young and in love. But they were also placed in an unusual set of circumstances by the real-life city-state of Verona and by Shakespeare in his play: Their two families (mostly for political reasons) hated each other, so Romeo and Juliet were forced to keep their feelings a secret. It is hard to say how their paths would have been different had this hatred not been present. But, that is not the plot, so we'll never know. Romeo and Juliet fell in love, maybe exhibiting more passion than wisdom, but that is what young people do. Many times older people forget the power of love. Romeo and Juliet's encounter on the balcony should remind everyone of how powerful, how wonderful first love can be. But the play's end also should remind us of the consequences that can be suffered by acting too hastily and in secret.
Re-read the scenes where Romeo and Juliet first see one another; also re-read the balcony scene and the scene in Act III where Romeo and Juliet, fresh from their first (and only) night together, must say good-bye. After reading these parts of the play, explain how Shakespeare's words create the excitement, beauty and tenderness of young love, of a love that is one which happened literally at first sight. If you use specific lines from the play, you know the drill.
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