Romeo and Juliet Themes and the Literary Analysis Paragraph

Paragraph Components Clear topic sentence.

At least two arguments in support of the topic sentence

Evidence

Connect any evidence to your arguments

Conclusion sentence

Transitions – What are those?

General Requirements No longer than one page in length

Double-spaced

Word Processed

Present Tense

Third Person

Cite in MLA Documentation

Citing Shakespeare* Play titles in italics: Romeo and Juliet

How should writers quote a source when writing a paragraph or essay? Is there a format?

When Romeo swears by the moon, Juliet responds, “O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon, / That monthly changes in her circled orb, / Lest that thy love prove likewise variable” (2.2.114-116).

Format: (Act.Scene.Lines).

Verse versus Prose

Themes – Life as a Paradox

What is a paradox? par·a·dox  [par-uh-doks]

noun 1. a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

2. a self-contradictory and false proposition.

3. any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature.

4. an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion.

Examples of Paradox in Romeo and Juliet

Two houses alike in dignity are fighting.

Two children of feuding houses find true love with each other.

Romeo trying to stop a fight results in death.

A friar suggests poison to escape problems.

True love results in death.

Death unites two feuding families.

Themes- Individuals vs. Society

What do we know about society during this time?

Great Chain of Being

Nobility

Marriage Primary Source

Examples of Individuals vs. Society

Feuding Families vs. Citizens of Verona

Friar Lawrence vs. Tradition of the Church

Romeo and Juliet vs. Parents’ Feud

Juliet vs. Parents

Romeo vs. Banishment by Society

Themes - Love

Courtly Love

Profane Love

Sacred Love

Examples of Love

Romeo & Rosaline

“She’ll not be hit / With Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit” (1.1.216-217).

Mercutio & the Nurse

“If love be rough with you, be rough with love; / Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” (1.4.27-28).

Romeo & Juliet

“If that thy bent of love be honorable, / Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow” (2.2.150-151).

Themes – Inevitability of Fate

Inevitability: Unable to avoid Fate: Predetermined events beyond a person’s

control

What do we know about the belief of fate during this time?

Examples of Fate

Romeo just happens to meet the servingman who cannot read and Rosaline is on the guest list.

Romeo and Juliet fall in love “at first sight.”

Romeo sneaks into Juliet’s courtyard just as she happens to be declaring her love for him.

Romeo trying to prevent a fight causes death.

Friar John is unable to deliver Friar Lawrence’s letter.

Juliet wakes up minutes after Romeo’s death.

Themes – Effects of Rash Behavior

Rash: Lacking careful consideration of the consequences

Behavior: The way one conducts his or her self.

Do hasty decisions play a role in Romeo and Juliet?

Examples of Rash Behavior

Romeo decides to go to Capulet’s feast.

Friar marries Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo cries about being banished and nearly kills himself.

Juliet talks about killing herself if not with Romeo

Friar devises this “fail safe” plan and Juliet goes through with it.

Romeo kicks the dirt before waiting around for Juliet to say hello.