READING

ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

USING WHAT? HOW? WHY?

WHAT?

WHAT? Link to the big ideas or themes or ideas in the text Link to the overall meaning in the text Link to what the author was saying Link to what the text is telling us

WHAT? 1) Shakespeare explores the love in the play, Romeo and Juliet, in a variety of ways. We have unrequited love with Romeo and Rosaline in Act 1 Scene 1, which beautifully highlights Romeo’s emotional side and shows us that he is willing to take a risk and feel pain and suffering in the name of love. Despite Romeo knowing that his love is not reciprocated by Rosaline. 2) Later in the play, in Act 1 Scene 5, Shakespeare repeats the idea of Romeo as a romantic soul, who is able to fall in love easily. He meets Juliet and immediately professes his love for her.

HOW?

HOW? Link to the quotations or phrases or specific examples or moments in the text Link to the terminology used (the language/structure) Link to the method in the text – the construction of the text

HOW? Link to the quotations or phrases or specific examples or moments in the text Link to the terminology used (the language/structure) Link to the method in the text – the construction of the text

HOW? 1) This unreciprocated love is shown in the repeated sighs and exclamations Romeo makes about his pain versus his joy at being in love. The oxymoronic use by Romeo off “o brawling love” and “feather of lead” and “o loving hate” suggests… 2 - Shakespeare deliberately presents Romeo expressing his emotions in a soliloquy about Juliet, even before he has met her. Again, Romeo is hyperbolic in the language he uses using metaphors and light imagery “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright…”

WHY?

WHY? Link to the effect Link to why you feel or think a particular emotion Link to the meaning Link to the analytical verbs to show why it means something Link to the author’s intention

Why? 1) Suggests that Romeo is conflicted in his emotions at this point. He understands that love is painful but also joyous too and he ricochets between the two emotions, showing that he is capable of deep feelings of both despair and depression but also of love and happiness. Shakespeare could be implying that Romeo is unlike other men, who would have stereotypically been unemotional and that it is okay to wear your heart on your sleeve and feel deeply as Romeo does. 2) This implies that Romeo can be naïve, too quick to fall in love and that he has a romantic soul. He is instantly in love with Juliet, upon first seeing her and this could be seen to be lust as opposed to real love as they have not even spoken to each other. In many ways this could be seen as an immature reaction as he has no idea of her personality and has been dazzled by the first impression of her physical beauty. Shakespeare may have shown how quick to love Romeo is, to reinforce his fickle nature and show that this is a tragic tale, that could have been avoided if both Romeo and Juliet had acted with more maturity. Love is presented here in an idealised and romanticised way.

WHAT? - HOW? – WHY? FULL EXAMPLE Shakespeare explores the love in the play, Romeo and Juliet, in a variety of ways. We have unrequited love with Romeo and Rosaline in Act 1 Scene 1, which beautifully highlights Romeo’s emotional side and shows us that he is willing to take a risk and feel pain and suffering in the name of love. Despite Romeo knowing that his love is not reciprocated by Rosaline. This unreciprocated love is shown in the repeated sighs and exclamations Romeo makes about his pain versus his joy at being in love. The oxymoronic use by Romeo off “o brawling love” and “feather of lead” and “o loving hate” suggests that Romeo is conflicted in his emotions at this point. He understands that love is painful but also joyous too and he ricochets between the two emotions, showing that he is capable of deep feelings of both despair and depression but also of love and happiness. Shakespeare could be implying that Romeo is unlike other men, who would have stereotypically been unemotional and that it is okay to wear your heart on your sleeve and feel deeply as Romeo does.

WHAT? - HOW? – WHY? FULL EXAMPLE - 2 Later in the play, in Act 1 Scene 5, Shakespeare repeats the idea of Romeo as a romantic soul, who is able to fall in love easily. He meets Juliet and immediately professes his love for her. Shakespeare deliberately presents Romeo expressing his emotions in a soliloquy about Juliet, even before he has met her. Again, Romeo is hyperbolic in the language he uses using metaphors and light imagery “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright…” This implies that Romeo can be naïve, too quick to fall in love and that he has a romantic soul. He is instantly in love with Juliet, upon first seeing her and this could be seen to be lust as opposed to real love as they have not even spoken to each other. In many ways this could be seen as an immature reaction as he has no idea of her personality and has been dazzled by the first impression of her physical beauty. Shakespeare may have shown how quick to love Romeo is, to reinforce his fickle nature and show that this is a tragic tale, that could have been avoided if both Romeo and Juliet had acted with more maturity. Love is presented here in an idealised and romanticised way.