R&J+Essential+Questions

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1.
Jonathan, Nikita, Cat, Allyson Friar Lawrence
 * Who is to blame for the tragic events of the play? **
 * Married Romeo and Juliet
 * Didn’t send message in time to Romeo
 * "Miscarried by my fault, let my old life/be sacrificed, some hour before his time," (5.3.267) -Friar blaming himself for what he's done
 * When the Friar realizes that the message hasn't been sent to Romeo, he was still too late to reach the tomb. "Saint Fancis be my speed! how oft tonight have my old feet stumbled at graves!" (5.3.121) -If Friar reached the tomb earlier, Romeo might not have died.
 * Friar Lawrence didn't tell Friar John the true purpose of the letter so Friar John didn't find it as important. "Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, the letter was not nice but full of charge." (5.2.17)

Friar John
 * In Act 3 Scene 1 when Mercutio dies, he says “A plague a both your houses.” There is foreshadowing here because the reason why Friar John is to be blamed is because on his way to send Romeo the letter, he was held up because the town of Mantua was under quarantine for the plague. Here we can see foreshadowing being used, and how fate comes into play.
 * “Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Sealed up the doors, and would not let us forth, So that my speed to Mantua there was stayed” (5.2.10-13)
 * If Friar John had made it in time, Romeo would have gotten the correct news and would never have bought the potion.
 * He makes no further effort to communicate with Romeo.
 * Friar John doesn’t realize the impact of his actions and it could unintentionally be his fault because of his neglect: //“//The letter was not nice but full of charge, Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger” (5.2.18-20)

Lady and Lord Capulet
 * Juliet’s parents are half the reason the Montagues and Capulets hate each other.
 * Tried forcing her to marry Paris, but she wanted Romeo.
 * Juliet wouldn’t have considered killing herself if her dad didn’t threaten her, saying she has to marry Paris “Get thee to church a’Thursday, Or never after look me in the face.” (3.5.161). If she wasn’t being forced to marry Paris she would’ve figured out a smarter way to be with Romeo that didn’t involve fake death which lead to real death.

Romeo and Juliet
 * Romeo and Juliet’s relationship was so rushed
 * They killed themselves because they could not live without each other, but they’ve only met a few times.
 * Caused so much trouble for themselves because they knew that their families hated each other.
 * Juliet faking her death caused Romeo to overreact and come too quickly.
 * Romeo’s impetuousness after finding out that Juliet is dead causes him to kill himself, then for Juliet to kill herself.
 * Neither of them ever considered living without the other.
 * Juliet: “Be not so long to speak, I long to die,/If what thou speak’st speak not of remedy” (4.1.66).
 * Romeo: “Here’s to my love! O true apothecary!/Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die (5.3.119).

Word Count: 500

Sebastian, Russell, Zo Were Romeo and Juliet fated from the start?

- Yes: >> Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, So fearful were they of infection.” (5.2.14-16) >> They have made worms’ meat of me. I have it, >> And soundly too. Your houses!” (3.1.96-98)
 * o Their families were already feuding
 * § “From ancient grudge break new mutiny, / where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.” (Prologue.4-5)
 * o Friar’s plan went so wrong
 * § “I could not send it – here it is again-
 * § The plague hit, causing the message to be late
 * o Mercutio’s curse upon both houses
 * § “A plague a’both your houses!
 * o Shakespeare calls them “star-crossed lovers”
 * § “A pair of star-crossed loves take their life”
 * § Foreshadows, yet gives a sense of fate.
 * o Romeo killed himself right before Juliet awoke.
 * § Romeo’s horrible timing can be blamed upon fate.
 * o Romeo met the servant and was invited to the party
 * § Leads to him meeting Juliet and falling and love and marrying her etc.
 * o Romeo hears Juliet talking about how she loves him, leading to a fast marriage.

- No: >>> In what vile part of this anatomy Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack The hateful mansion.” (3.3.105-108)
 * o The unwise choices of the characters
 * § Juliet was overly dramatic and overly emotional, clouding her judgment.
 * “Come weep with me, past hope, past cure, past help!” (4.1.45)
 * She’s too emotional to understand how bad the Friar’s plan is.
 * § Romeo chose to kill himself instead of living on
 * This comes from Romeo’s tendencies to be rash
 * When Romeo kills Tybalt and when he tries to kill himself in Friar Lawrence’s cell.
 * “Oh tell me, Friar, tell me,
 * § People CHOSE to fight instead of being calm
 * Romeo blamed it upon fate
 * Mercutio blamed it on Romeo
 * “Romeo, away, be gone!
 * § Mercutio’s anger
 * Mercutio was clouded by anger and he couldn’t think logically, leading to his death.
 * Mercutio caused Romeo to be banished.
 * § The parents of Juliet
 * For making Juliet marry Paris unreasonably
 * Giving Juliet the “choice” to marry Paris or not
 * For rushing the marriage, gave no time for Juliet to think.
 * § Friar’s plan
 * The Friar’s messenger was too slow
 * Being too slow to arrive at the tomb before Romeo
 * Agreed to marry them too quickly
 * o
 * o


 * 3. What is love (in the world of the play)?**
 * Wendy, Jady, Alisa, Seungmin**
 * Fate/romantic love: Romeo and Juliet
 * “Star-crossed lovers” (act 1 prologue)
 * Romeo and Juliet are fated to be together, but they are cursed from the beginning.
 * “A plague a’both your houses!” (3.1.97) – Mercutio
 * In the end, the plague stops Friar John from delivering the letter and that directly led to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. It shows their fated love.
 * Idealized love (superficial)
 * Romeo loves Rosaline because of her beauty. One day, he says she is the most beautiful women in history, the next day, he is falling in love with Juliet at first sight. “Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” (2.3.66-68) –Friar Lawrence
 * Traditional love: Paris and Juliet
 * Paris wants to marry Juliet because he thinks she is from a well-known family and is a decent candidate for a wife. It is for either actual love or his own benefit.
 * Sexual: Mercutio and Nurse
 * By reducing love to mere sexuality, the Nurse is unable to understand the strength of Juliet’s feelings for Romeo. Her betrayal is rooted in this misunderstanding.
 * Likewise, Mercutio also reduces love to sex. He contrasts Romeo’s passionate, romantic love, making watchers sympathize more with Romeo.
 * Love between friends:
 * Mercutio fights Tybalt because Romeo refuses to fight.
 * Romeo kills Tybalt because Tybalt kills Mercutio.
 * Love is blind
 * “If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark” (2.1.33) – Mercutio
 * Cupid is blind, so he shoots arrows at people randomly.
 * Reference to Cupid:
 * “We’ll have no cupid hoodwinked with a scarf, bearing a tartar’s painted bow of lath, scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper, nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke after the prompter, for our entrance, but let them measure us by what they will, we’ll measure them a measure and be gone.” (1.4.4) Benvolio
 * Family Love
 * Lord Capulet and Juliet
 * “Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she; / She’s the hopeful lady of my earth.” (1.2.14-15) – Lord Capulet
 * Juliet is the only child of Lord Capulet, so Lord Capulet really cares about what he thinks.
 * Perhaps one of the reasons Juliet had to pretend she was dead instead of just escaping because she didn’t want her parents to find out.
 * Nurse and Juliet
 * The Nurse takes care of Juliet since she was young, so Juliet really cares about her opinions. The Nurse is the last person who abandons Juliet. When she betrays her, Juliet feels hurt and starts doing stupid things.
 * Unrequited love: Romeo towards Rosaline
 * Passionate Love: Romeo and Juliet
 * Balcony Scene

**What is love in Romeo and Juliet? Dan, Lucas, Amy, Max**

__Relationships:__ **Romeo/Benvolio/Mercutio** These characters show in the play this type of love. These characters defend each other throughout the play. For example, Romeo kills Tybalt after he kills Mercutio. || **Parent and Child** **Capulet/Juliet - Nurse/Juliet** Love between parent and child is seen between these characters. These characters care for each other, and will look out for them if they need to. || Lover and Lover Romeo/Juliet This is probably the most obvious type of love in the play. These characters believe they love each other, but one might ask if this love is true or not? Multiple blind Cupid references are seen in the play, which hints that this love may not be true. __Types of Love:__ “shot through the ear with a love-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy’s butt-shaft” (2.4.15) This quote shows that the love between Romeo and Juliet may not be true. Since Cupid is blind, people have little control over whom they love. || **Obsession** “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” (1.5.52) This quote shows that they’re obsessed with each other. Some people though will think that this love unconditional. || “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (1.5.137) This quote shows that love and hate are different sides of the same coin. They are just two sides of one thing. || Unconditional “Which is the god of my idolatry”(2.2.114) This quote shows that Juliet is really in love with Romeo. She claims that he is her god. ||
 * **Friend and Friend**
 * **Fate**
 * Hate


 * Is it true that the old people are wise and the young are impetuous? –Kevin, Simon, Bobby, and Alex **

__ We agree that not all adults are wise, but not all youth are impetuous, and there is a middle ground for all. __

// Nurse: A caretaker for Juliet and one of Juliet’s closest confidents //
 * __ Reasonable Adults: __**
 * Flexible and adaptable to the changes around her, such as she switches suggestions for Juliet when Capulets wanted her to marry Paris
 * Cautions Juliet from falling in love too rapidly, as the Nurse is a reasonable person, but still supports her love for Romeo since it brings Juliet joy.
 * Empathetic: the Nurse relates to the actions of Juliet and supports her despite knowing that it may not be the best thing for Juliet
 * Understands the Capulet family values and urges Juliet to conform to her father’s wishes and marry Paris, as the tides has changed and Romeo has fallen out of favor.

// Prince: Ruler of Verona and upholds the law //
 * Just: The Prince upholds the law that he set and he believes that any violations must be punished regardless of the status of the person
 * Flexible and adaptable to different circumstances, such as he exiles Romeo instead of executing him for his crimes as the Prince understood the circumstances that the crime was committed
 * Responsible and humility: The Prince takes responsibility for allowing the feud between the Montague-Capulet go too far as to result in deaths

// Friar Lawrence: //
 * __ Unreasonable Adults: __**
 * Questionable plans: His plans for the marriage seemed as if he wanted to be the hero that united the two families instead of making them happy. His plan for Juliet’s death can also be disputed as it seemed very risky and unlikely that it would work out
 * Rash: he makes up the plans on the spot and aren’t very well thought out
 * Has some knowledge but isn’t very wise

// Lord and Lady Capulet: //
 * Highly educated but is unwise
 * Doesn’t understand other’s feelings
 * Not flexible and susceptible to anger and rage
 * Doesn’t support Juliet and her endeavor to be happy


 * __ Reasonable Youth: __**
 * Romeo**
 * In page 93 line 61- 65 he did not fight in the summer heat when Tybalt was willing to fight.
 * Juliet**
 * On page 45 from lines 127-146 she hides her feelings from her surrounding peers.
 * Benvolio**
 * Tries to keep peace with Mercutio and Tybalt
 * Trustworthy friend and suggests that Romeo leave Rosaline and be happy
 * Peacemaker when Montagues and Capulets fight

**Romeo**
 * __ Impetuous Youth: __**
 * Mercutio: **
 * Fights Tybalt
 * Jokes about Romeo’s love life every time, and doesn’t know when to stop
 * Constantly presses the limit
 * In page 175 he buys poison to kill himself next to Juliet, so he can be with her in death.
 * On page 85 He wants to hurry up the union of two.
 * Juliet**
 * In page 57 from lines 85-106 Juliet reasons that if Romeo’s love is true he will marry her.
 * Tybalt **
 * • From the beginning of scene Act 3 Scene 1 (3.1.32)
 * • If Tybalt did not purposely continue the conversation between him and Mercutio, both of them would never encountered each other and precautions would of been held.
 * • This shows how Tybalt is impetuous since he intentionally made contact with Mercutio which eventually led to many death

//Who is to blame for the tragic deaths in the play?//

Samantha Li, Emily Niu, and Georgia Dodd (1B)

Deaths in play

• Romeo

• the feud between two families

• "I could not sent it - here it is again" (5.2.14)

- Friar Lawrence is to blame for Romeo's death because he didn't send the letter in time. If Romeo got the letter he wouldn't have killed herself.

•"Cone, cordial and not poison, go with me To Juliet's grave, for there must I use thee"(5.1.85-86)

- The apothecary is to blame for Romeo's death because he is the one who sold Romeo the poison that he used to kill himself (relates to corrupting money theme)

• Fate (see bottom)

• Juliet

• Fate (see bottom)

• Friar Lawrence

"Wisely and slow, they stumble that run fast." (2.3.94)

Friar Lawrence's plan was greatly flawed and he was an adult so he should've been able to come up with another plan.

"Come go, good Juliet, I dare no longer stay." (5.3.159)

Friar Lawrence could've stayed and tried harder to convince Juliet to stay but instead he abandoned her to protect himself.

• Nurse

"Romeo is banished, and all the world to nothing that he dares ne'er come back to challenge you; or if he do, it needs must be by stealth…I think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first, or if it did not, your first is dead, or twerp, as good as he were as living here and you no use of him." (3.5.213)

When Juliet asks for comfort from the Nurse after being forced to marry Paris, Nurse betrays here and urges her to marry Paris. Having no hope, this causes Juliet to go to the Friar where he concocts a foolish plan that leads her to her ultimate demise.

• Capulet&Lady Capulet

"I tell thee what; get thee to church a'Thursday, or never after look me in the face. Speak not, reply not, do not answer me! My fingers itch." (3.5.161-164)

Because Capulet forced Juliet to marry Paris, this lead Juliet to feel very desperate and she agreed to the idiotic plan the Friar made which eventually killed her.

"Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. //Exit//" (3.5.202-203)

When Juliet asks for pity from her mother, she asks her to delay the wedding and to help to which Lady Capulet refuses. (possibly because of fear of Capulet)

• Tybalt

- It was Tybalt's own fault that he died because if he had not challenged Romeo to a fight to prove his manliness he would not have got killed

- Romeo is also to blame for the death of Tybalt because he became very suborned and stated Tybalt.

• Mercutio

• two feuding families

"A plague a'both your houses! They have made worm's meat of me! I have it, and soundly too and soundly too. Your houses!" (3.1.97-100)

- He said a plague on both your houses because he died between the two family's fight. So the two feuding family are to blame for tragic. The two families also caused the death of Tybalt, Mercutio, Lady Capulet, Romeo and Juliet. Because of their fights, the hate between the two families build up and causing many deaths on both of their families.

• his pride

"O calm, dishonorable, vile submission! 'Alla staccato' carries it away. //[Draw]// Tybalt, you rat-chatcher, will you walk?" (3.1.66-68)

- Mercutio is to blame for the tragic deaths because if he didn't want to prove his manliness or be so protective of his pride the fight would not have happened and it would not rage Romeo to kill Tybalt causing Romeo to be banished which caused Romeo and Juliet to kill each other to be together.

• Paris

• Friar Lawrence

• Love for Juliet

" O, I am slain! [Falls.] If thou be merciful, open the tomb, lay me with Juliet [Dies.]" (5.3.72)

- Because of Paris' love for Juliet, Romeo killed him in order to get inside the tomb to be with Juliet

- Also because Romeo wanted to go into the tomb with Juliet, he killed Paris.

"For here lies Juliet and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of light. Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred." (5.3.85)

• Lady Montague

• Romeo

"Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight; Grief of my son's exile hath stopped her breath." (5.3.210)

When Romeo was banished he left his loving mother to grieve and instead of visiting her when he came back to Verona he visited his Juliet.

• Fate

• "A plague a'both your houses!" (3.1.97) Mercutio's last words were a curse on the fate for Romeo and Juliet. From later text, we can see that their fate was, in fact, cursed.

• 'I could not send it - here it is again - Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, So fearful were they of infection' (5.2.14-16) In the dialogue between Friar Lawrence and Friar John, we can tell that Mercutio's curse worked, proving that fate was one of the reasons that caused the tragic events

• Another example of fate is when Romeo runs into the servant with the letter to the party.

because of this accident or coincident, Romeo goes to the party and meets Juliet. This is an example of

• Friar Lawrence

- Friar Lawrence is to blame for the death of Romeo, Juliet and Paris because if he didn't give the potion to Juliet Romeo would not think that she was dead and kill Paris and himself. He is also to blame for the death of Juliet because after she saw that Romeo was dead she killed herself.