Romeo and Juliet Question C Examples

Who am I? I call Juliet a disobedient wretch I advise Romeo to examine other beauties. I tell Romeo not to swear by the inconstant moon. I refer to myself in the third person to show that I am controlled by my emotions. I tell Juliet to do as she wills as ‘I am done with thee’. I refer to myself in the third person to show that I am controlled by my emotions. I show the true strength in my personality when I criticise the nurse.

Who?

ALL

MOST

SOME

What will I know and/or demonstrate by the end of the lesson?

What are my key terms?

What is my target level/grade ?

Identify events that relate to theme and explain how they relate.

Explain

D

Explain in detail how themes are explored in sections of the novel.

Detail

C

Explore the relationship between language, theme and historical context in and extract of the novel.

Explore

B

Task: • Use the sheets about each of the scenes to complete your mind maps. • You can add to the mind map using your own observations.

1. Act 2 Scene 2 – Romeo and Juliet 2. Act 2 Scene 3 – Romeo and the Friar

3. Act 2 Scene 5 – Juliet and the Nurse 4. Act 3 Scene 5 – Capulet, Lord Capulet, Nurse and Juliet

Act 2 Scene 2: The Balcony Scene • Romeo describes Juliet as the sun. This suggests that he views her as beautiful, the source of light and hope for the future. The sun represents certainty as it rises everyday, suggesting his love for Juliet is certain. • Romeo refers to Juliet as ‘my lady’ and ‘my love’. The use of possessive pronoun suggests that he assumes he owns Juliet, reflecting the position of women. The soft alliteration makes Romeo sound poetic and caring, contrasting Lord Capulet’s treatment of her. • Romeo refers to Juliet as a bright angel and a saint, suggesting that he idolises her beauty and considers her prefect and flawless. • Juliet states that she doesn’t think that names are important suggesting that her love for Romeo is stronger than family loyalty. • Romeo states that he would rather risk death than not speak to her suggesting that his love makes him reckless. • Juliet is concerned that she is too quickly won, highlighting the importance of remaining chaste for women at the time. • Juliet asks Romeo not to swear by the moon as the moon symbolises something changeable and fickle. This shows that Juliet is concerned that she has sworn her love too soon and that Romeo will change his mind, leaving her reputation ruined. • Juliet calls Romeo a ‘god’ highlighting her idolisation of him and also implies a power balance between them as saints and angels serve gods. • Juliet uses imagery of the sea to explain her love. This shows the extent of her love. • Juliet uses imperatives at the end of the scene to show that she is taking control of the situation. This shows that she is aware of her vulnerability by declaring her love.

Act 2 Scene 3: Romeo and Friar Laurence

• Friar Laurence asks Romeo where he has been all night which shows fatherly concern. • Friar Laurence asks Romeo whether he has been with Rosaline which reminds the audience how suddenly Romeo has changed his mind and declared his love for another woman. • Romeo uses a rhyming couplet to confirm that he has not been with Rosaline. This creates a tone of certainty emphasising that he has completely changed his mind and no longer cares for Rosaline. • Romeo refers to falling in love with Juliet as being wounded which foreshadows the painful consequences of his love for her. • Friar Laurence asks Romeo to be clear about what he is saying and get to the point which shows the Friars anxiety and care for Romeo. • Romeo uses another rhyming couplet to declare his love for Juliet which suggests a tone of certainty. • Romeo asks for Friar Laurence to marry him ‘today’ highlighting his hurry to marry Juliet reminding the audience that they are having to make plans in secret. • Friar Laurence is extremely reluctant to agree to marry them stating this his love lies in his eyes and not his heart as he has changed his mind so quickly. This shows that the Friar is against the sudden plans. • Against his better judgment Friar Laurence agrees to marry him, and this time uses a half rhyming couplet. This creates a tone of uncertainty and a tone of foreboding.

Act 2 Scene 5: The Nurse and Juliet • • • • • • • • •

At the start of the scene Juliet repeatedly mentions time, which shows her impatience for news and desperation to marry Romeo. Juliet refers to the nurse’s age disrespectfully which highlights her impatience. When the nurse returns, Juliet uses flattering language which shows that she wants to persuade the nurse to tell her the news. The contrasting language shows that Juliet is a spirited character with her own views and opinions. Juliet repeatedly uses imperatives which emphasises her frustration and the power she has over the nurse who is her servant. This suggests that the nurse is not a good mother figure for Juliet as she is ultimately ruled by her. The nurse teases Juliet by withholding the nurse, which suggests that she doesn’t understand the extent of Juliet’s emotions. The Nurse passes judgment on Romeo’s appearance and character stating that Juliet has not picked well but claiming that Romeo is as gently as a lamb, which emphasises how out of character it is when Romeo kills Tybalt. Juliet uses repeated questions when speaking to the nurse emphasising her increasing frustration and hurry to marry Romeo. The nurse uses sexual innuendo throughout her conversation with Juliet. This shows that Shakespeare wants to portray the reality that women are not really different to men in their attitudes towards sex despite society’s expectations. At the end of the scene Juliet says ‘farewell’ to the nurse. This is significant as Juliet is saying goodbye to her childhood as she moves into another period of her life. It also hints at this moment being the start of the end of her life.

Act 3 Scene 5: Lord Capulet, Lady Capulet, Nurse and Juliet

• When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lord Capulet calls her ‘unworthy’ and refers to Paris as ‘worthy’, which shows that he has no respect for his daughter or her wishes. • Lord Capulet repeatedly insults his daughter. This is shocking, particularly for a modern audience as this is not how fathers are expected to talk to their daughters. • Lord Capulet states that he has worked hard to ‘have her matched’, which shows the position of women and the lack of choice they have over their own future. • The nurse tries to stick up for Juliet, which highlights her mother’s failure to stick up for her showing Juliet’s lack of parental love. • Lady Capulet speaks in monosyllabic statements telling her ‘I have done with thee’ showing her lack of concern for her feelings. • Lady Capulet refers to her as ‘thee’ the formal form of you, which shows the detachment between her and her own daughter. • The nurse advises Juliet to agree to marry Romeo, which highlights the lack of sensible guidance in Juliet’s life and her limited options. • Juliet uses a sarcastic tone when telling the nurse that she has comforted her, which shows that she is now on her own with no parental guidance, foreshadowing her desperation to turn to Friar Laurence as her last remaining hope.

When ____(scene)______Shakespeare explores _____(theme/character).

When ____(events/character says…/Shakespeare uses…) it shows…… Furthermore . . . . This highlights/reflects (historical context) This links to/foreshadows (another moment in the play)