Review Major Themes/Elements in R & J

1/ Group Activity -each group assigned a question to respond to

Group #1
LOVE: Look at the types of love in the play. What is Shakespeare saying about love?

• Romantic Love -between Romeo and Juliet, willing to die for each other
• Friendshiop -Mercutio and Romeo, Romeo and Benvolio, care about each other, Romeo killed Tybalt to avenge Mercutio's death
• Infatuation -Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline at the beginning of the play, Romeo more in love with being in love at this point in the play
• Parental Love -Nurse and Juliet, Montagues and Romeo -Juliet's parents more concerned with her obedience than her opinions and wishes, Montagues deeply concerned about Romeo's sorrow when he is infatuated with Rosaline, the Nurse is very maternal toward Juliet, Nurse helps Juliet be with Romeo

Group #2
FATE: What role does Fate play in Romeo and Juliet? Is fate responsible for the tragedy?

• Fate is treated like a character in the play
• All characters believe in fate except for Mercutio
• "I am fortune's fool" says Romeo after killing Tybal
• "I defy you stars" says Romeo after Juliet dies
• Romeo believes in fate but tries to go against it, doesn't see himself as responsible for what happens
• Mercutio believes more in free will, making your own choices, only character who blames the ancient feud for his death -"A plague on both your houses."
• Don't believe fate is responsible for the tragedy, Romeo and Juliet were responsible for their own actions
• If fate was a factor, then perhaps Romeo and Juliet were meant to die in order to end their parents' feud

Group #3
CONFLICT: What are the major conflicts in the play? What are the consequences of these conflicts?

• 3 major conflicts are: the ancient feud, forbidden love and control (Capulets control over Juliet)
• Conflict leads to tragedies including death, banishment and Juliet's parents threatening to disown her

Group #4
OPPOSITES/CONTRAST: Who or what is in opposition in the play? What types of contrast occur? Why does Shakespeare do this?

• Light and Dark imagery throughout play, Juliet is the sun, Romeo inconstant like the moon
• Romeo attempts to make night out of day when he must leave Juliet and travel to Mantua
• Juliet is content in the daylight
• Lover versus Hate -Juliet and Romeo love one another despite family name, Montagues versus Capulets, Parents versus Young Love
• Love is bittersweet -produces sweetness and sorrow, is bad and good all at the same time, their love is forbidden and yet is still happening
• Life and Death -references to life and death throughout play, play begins with life/love and ends with death
• Old versus Young -parents believe they are wise and know what's best for their children while the teenagers are young and naive, their love overpowers everything else for them and they act without thinking
• teenagers believe that everything will fall into place and work itself out but Friar Lawrence reminds them that those who run fast, often stumble

2/ Monday, May 11th will be an ISU Work Period, come prepared.