Aims for Today: Complete example final question Continue/Complete‘Romeo and Juliet’ Essay Review of folio and Cover Sheets Tuesday: ‘The Horses’

Choose a play in which there is a scene which provides a clear turning point in the action. Explain why this is a turning point and go on to discuss the importance of the scene to your appreciation of the text as a whole.

Shakespeare’s great tragedy ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a play in which the central character of Romeo makes a crucial error when he kills Tybalt in retaliation following the murder of his dear friend Mercutio in Act 3 Scene 1. Widely considered to be the greatest love story of all time, the play describes how Romeo and Juliet struggle to maintain their relationship against the backdrop of the bitter feud between their families. In killing Tybalt, Romeo effectively destroys any chance of being able to sustain a relationship with his new wife Juliet.

Point 1: Shakespeare opens the play with a description of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. This feud is what drives the play and ultimately leads to the violent confrontation between Romeo and Tybalt in Act 3 Scene 1. Remember! For a point… Where in the play are you discussing? What is happening? Why is it important?

Point 1: Shakespeare opens the play with a description of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. This feud is what drives the play and ultimately leads to the violent confrontation between Romeo and Tybalt in Act 3 Scene 1. Quote: From ancient grudge breaks to new mutiny A pair of star cross’d lovers

Evaluation The prologue to the play introduces the conflict between the Capulet family and the Montagues. This conflict is key to the tragedy of the play as it divides the characters along purely tribal lines. The description of the ‘ancient grudge’ emphasises just how long standing the feud between the families has lasted, and how difficult it will be for Romeo and Juliet to overcome it. There is also a suggestion that it has intensified in recent times through the use of the description ‘new mutiny’. This tense conflict leads Juliet to suggest that the Montague family are her ‘only hate’, all of which emphasises the intense conflict between the two families. This conflict fuels the violent confrontation between Romeo and Tybalt.

Point 2: As the play develops, the audience become aware of Romeo’s tempestuous nature. It is clear that he is fickle and changeable and that he often acts rashly. These rash actions lead to his violent actions when confronted by Tybalt. Remember! For a point… Where in the play are you discussing? What is happening? Why is it important?

Point 2: As the play develops, the audience become aware of Romeo’s tempestuous nature. It is clear that he is fickle and changeable and that he often acts rashly. These rash actions lead to his violent actions when confronted by Tybalt. Quote: Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For my heart never knew true love till this night!

Evaluation In this paragraph, you are trying to prove that there is a weakness in Romeo’s character: he is too impulsive and rash. He follows his desires and does not pause to consider the consequences. In the quote he is discussing his reaction to Juliet. Was he not supposed to be in love with Rosaline? Likewise, Juliet herself sees his desire to marry her as ‘too rash, too sudden, too unadvised’. All of this builds an impression of Romeo as an impetuous and rash character…this is seen perfectly in our key scene where he kills Tybalt.

Point 3: Our key scene occurs in Act 3 Scene 1. Following the marriage of Romeo and Juliet, the audience are once again reminded of the tension between the Capulets and the Montagues when Shakespeare depicts a fatal battle in which Mercutio loses his life at the hands of Tybalt. Remember! For a point… Where in the play are you discussing? What is happening? Why is it important?

Point 3: Shakespeare opens the play with a description of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. This feud is what drives the play and ultimately leads to the violent confrontation between Romeo and Tybalt in Act 3 Scene 1. Quote: The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl, Thou art a villain Villain am I none A plague on both your houses

Evaluation In this paragraph you are attempting to evaluate the circumstances of Tybalt’s death. You need to consider the way in which Shakespeare sets the atmosphere. Benvolio’s words highlight the heat and the tension. Tybalt greets Romeo as a villain…in line with their conflict. Explain why Romeo disagrees (but cannot explain why) The resulting struggle results in the needless death of Mercutio. Although of the House of Montague, he highlights his despair in death by saying ‘a plague on both your houses’. Evaluate why this is so significant.

Point 4: As the key scene develops, Romeo makes a crucial error. In retaliation at the brutal murder of his dear friend Mercutio, Romeo kills Tybalt. In doing this he is punished by the Prince and is banished from Verona. Remember! For a point… Where in the play are you discussing? What is happening? Why is it important?

Point 4: As the key scene develops, Romeo makes a crucial error. In retaliation at the brutal murder of his dear friend Mercutio, Romeo kills Tybalt. In doing this he is punished by the Prince and is banished from Verona. Quote… ‘Fire eye’d fury be my conduct now’ (Romeo) ‘Oh I am fortune’s fool’ ‘Ha, banishment! Be merciful, say “death,”’

Evaluation In this paragraph, you are examining where Romeo makes his big mistake. Explain that he allows ‘fire eyed fury’ to take over his mind and he loses sight of reason and logic. Romeo shows his tempestuous and rash character once more as he fails to act sensibly. He seeks revenge on Tybalt. When he kills Tybalt, he claims to be ‘fortune’s fool’, however the audience are aware that this is not quite the case. The consequences of Romeo’s rash actions are that he is banished but spared death), thus ruining his chances with Juliet forever.

Point 5: By the end of the play, the consequences of Romeo’s tragic decision are fully revealed. Unable to be together thanks to his banishment, Romeo and Juliet set upon an ill advised plan to be reunited. This ultimately leads to their tragic deaths. Remember! For a point… Where in the play are you discussing? What is happening? Why is it important?

Point 5: By the end of the play, the consequences of Romeo’s tragic decision are fully revealed. Unable to be together thanks to his banishment, Romeo and Juliet set upon an ill advised plan to be reunited. This ultimately leads to their tragic deaths. Quote… ‘ All are punished. ‘ Poor sacrifices of our enmity. ‘ For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.’

Evaluation In this paragraph, you should discuss the ending of the play and the desperate lengths that the young couple went to be together. Mention the fact that they both died as part of a complex and flawed plan as Juliet attempted to avoid marrying Paris. Examine the real tragedy of the tale…that Romeo and Juliet’s deaths were what was needed for the two families to finally set aside their differences.