9 English Language Arts

Test outline

Part A

How does Romeo and Juliet fit the definition of Tragedy?

Part B

What role does Fate have in Romeo and Juliet? or What part does Character and Choices have to play in this drama piece of literature?

Introductory and concluding sentence with two body paragraphs of discussion.
Grammar, Spelling and Organization will be scored heavily.

open book

50 points for the test

Date: Wednesday, May 16th

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tragedy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespearean_tragedy

http://www.lcurve.org/writings/Tragedy.htm

Tragedy elements are that a protagonist has to suffer some kind of separation from his society ,e.g., Romeo's banishment); he also has to make some kind of mistake or show bad judgment ,e.g. ,Macbeth listening to the wife!). There are usually deaths which more often than not occur at the end of the play in the same way that comedies typically can end in a marriage or a feast.


The Elements:
1-supernatural elements (witches,ghosts)
2-tragic hero : person with noble qualities and a flaw in his character
3-tragic error: some disorder that has been committed against the laws of nature and needs to be corrected.
4-conflict ...with country or with the hero himself
5-revenge ...the hero is usually often revenge or he is being avenged
6-sad ending: the death, downfall or destruction
7-comic relief : some light scenes to relieve the stress of tragic events
8-isolation of main characters

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Tragedy

Tragedy (like epic ) depicts serious incidents in which protagonists undergo a change from

happiness to suffering, often involving the death of others as well as the main characters, and

resulting from both the protagonists' actions and the inescapable limits of the human condition.

The specific emphasis and character of tragedy has changed in different periods. In classical

tragedy, the protagonist usually suffers through fate interwoven with human interests and

passions (as in Sophocles' Oedipus the King [ca. 428 B.C.]). (See Catharsis and Hamartia for

details on Aristotle's theory of tragedy.)

In the Middle Ages, tragedy was associated with the downfall of eminent people through the

inevitable turning of Fortune's wheel; their fall exemplifies the inconstancy of Fortune and the

folly of placing trust in worldly goods rather than God's will (Chaucer's "The Monk's Tale" [ca.

1387] lists several such exempla).

Renaissance tragedy in England was flexible both in its willingness to combine tragic and comic

modes, and in the attributes of the tragic protagonist. Thus it was criticized by Aristotelian critics

such as Sir Philip Sidney for "mingling kings and clowns" and arousing laughter at "sinful

things" (An Apology for Poetry [1583]); for instance, the fallen King Lear has a Fool for his

companion, and the sinister Iago invites laughter at the ease with which he deceives Othello.

English dramatists and their audiences were fascinated by sympathetic or admirable villains

(contrary to Aristotelian principles of tragedy), and one of the most popular dramatic forms was

the revenge tragedy, such as Hamlet (1600).

Since the eighteenth century, most tragedy has dealt with characters from the middle or lower

classes ("domestic" or "bourgeois tragedy"). The protagonists suffer from commonplace

misfortunes or their own inescapable mediocrity (like Salieri in Peter Shaffer's Amadeus [1980]).

In Eugene O'Neil's The Iceman Cometh (1939), the characters are all social failures consoling

themselves with whisky in Harry Hope's bar. They illustrate the need for illusions to make life

bearable when one cannot succeed by the competitive and materialistic values of capitalist

society.

Character Profiles

Romeo: A Montague. He meets the daughter of his family's enemy and

falls madly in love with her, forgetting his previous love for a girl named

Rosaline. He is quick to action and slow to reasoning, which may seal his

fate. He marries Juliet but is provoked into a fight and kills her cousin Tybalt. He is

exiled to Mantua. He kills himself in Juliet's tomb when he believes her to be dead.

Juliet: A Capulet. She finds strength in her love for Romeo and hatches a plan with

the Friar to help her escape her planned marriage to Paris for the arms of her

husband, Romeo. When she awakens from her induced sleep, she finds Romeo

dead in her family vault. She refuses to be parted from her lover and stabs herself

with his dagger. Her death is the last installment in the tragic penalty paid for the

inability of the Capulets and Montagues to live in peace.

Tybalt: Cousin to Juliet. He is referred to as the Prince of Cats as he is a skillful

fencer and kills all the mice he encounters. Tybalt is unwilling to tolerate Romeo's

presence at the Capulet party and seeks revenge. When he finally meets Romeo in

the street, Romeo refuses to fight. Tybalt does not know Romeo is now his

kinsman. Tybalt instead fights Mercutio and takes a cheap shot under Romeo's arm

when he tries to break up the fight. Romeo finally fights Tybalt to avenge Mercutio.

Tybalt is killed by Romeo, which causes Romeo's banishment.

Nurse: Juliet's nursemaid. She helped raise Juliet and assists her in her plan to

marry Romeo. She carries messages between the lovers. Her ideas of love are

much different than Juliet's and communicated through her vulgar language. She

remains Juliet's confidant until after the wedding night. She advises Juliet to follow

her father's order and marry Paris, and to forget Romeo.

Mercutio: Kinsman to the Prince. He is horrified by what he perceives as womanish

behavior on Romeo's part. His ideas of love are similar to the Nurse's. He is a hot-

tempered man and jumps into battle with Tybalt when Romeo refuses. Tybalt

mortally wounds him and Mercutio blames his death on the feud between the two

families.

Benvolio: Cousin to Romeo. He suggests that Romeo go to the Capulet party to

save him from his lovesickness for Rosaline. He is not quick to seek out trouble with

the Capulets but is unable to stop Mercutio. Benvolio is the sole witness left to

report the events leading to the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt.

Friar Lawrence: Romeo enlists him to perform his wedding to Juliet. The Friar

assists Romeo in his escape to Mantua when he is banished. He also mixes the

potion Juliet uses to fake her death. When his message fails to reach Romeo, the

Friar goes to the Capulet tomb. Unfortunately, he arrives too late and finds Romeo

and Paris dead. Juliet refuses to leave with him and so he runs off without her when

noise is heard outside, giving her the opportunity to kill herself. Friar Lawrence

relates the story of Romeo and Juliet to their families and the Prince.

Prince Escalus: Kinsman to both Mercutio and Paris. He threatens death to

anyone who disturbs the peace in Verona's streets. He banishes Romeo for

avenging Mercutio's death by killing Tybalt. When Friar Lawrence reveals the

events that lead to Romeo, Juliet, and Paris being found dead, the Prince partially

blames himself for neglecting to squash the feud before it had a chance to get out of

hand.

County Paris: Kinsman to the Prince. He wishes to marry Juliet and presses

Capulet into agreement. Juliet kills herself to avoid having to marry him. He blames

Romeo for Juliet's death and determines to capture him when he spots him in the

churchyard. The men get into a fight and Romeo kills Paris.

Lord Montague: Head of the Montague family and father to Romeo. He is an aging

man but this does not stop him from maintaining the argument between the two

families. When the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is revealed, he vows to end the

feud and erect a golden statue of Juliet.

Lord Capulet: Head of the Capulet family and father to Juliet. He shifts moods

easily (saying no one minute and yes the next) and is quick to try to jump into battle.

He is furious when Juliet defies his decision that she and Paris be married. He is

not to be topped by Montague, even after their feud is declared over. He responds

to Montagues plan for a Juliet statue with a memorial to Romeo as well.

Lady Capulet: Wife to Capulet and mother to Juliet. She demands Romeo's blood

when Tybalt is killed. When she thinks Juliet is grief-stricken over Tybalt's death,

she suggests hiring someone to murder Romeo in Mantua. She tries to calm her

enraged husband when Juliet refuses Paris but does not stay to comfort her

daughter.

Lady Montague: Wife to Montague, mother to Romeo. She dies of a broken heart

when her son is banished from Verona.

Balthasar: Servant to Romeo. He brings Romeo the news of Juliet's death and

accompanies him to the churchyard. Romeo entrusts him with a letter to his father

and threatens him with death if he does not leave. Balthasar remains in the

churchyard but refuses to go near the tomb when discovered by Friar Lawrence.

When Romeo is found to be dead, he admits his part in the events and hands

Romeo's letter over to the Prince as proof.

Friar John:The messenger sent by Friar Lawrence to tell Romeo of the plan to save

Juliet from her marriage to Paris. He is suspected of having the plague and is

unable to deliver the message so when Romeo hears of Juliet's death, he believes it

is the real thing.

Peter : Servant to the Nurse.

Abram: Servant to Montague.

Gregory and Sampson: Servants to Capulet.

Act I, Prologue?Act I, Scene 1

Act I, Prologue: The prologue to Act I is written in the form of a sonnet and

provides a clear, concise summary of the play. Romeo and Juliet will fall in love

but their fate is death. The feuding of their families is at fault. Only the deaths

of their children will bring peace and cleanse Verona of its sin.

Act I, Scene 1: The scene opens in the streets of Verona. Gregory and Sampson,

servants of the house of Capulet, are discussing their enemies, the Montagues,

when two of the Montague servants, Abram and Balthasar, enter. The four

servants promptly begin to quarrel. Benvolio, of the house of Montague, enters

and is attempting to break up the fight when Tybalt, a Capulet, enters. Tybalt

mistakenly assumes that Benvolio has drawn his sword on the Capulet servants and

challenges him to a duel. Benvolio tries to resist but is drawn into the fight. The

Capulets and Montagues are drawn into the streets by the noise. Capulet calls for

his sword to join in the fray but is instead taunted by his wife because of his old

age. The Prince Escalus is also drawn to the scene. The Prince is angry, as the

feuding families have previously disturbed the peace in the streets. He threatens

death to anyone who creates a problem again. Everyone exits except for

Montague, his wife, and Benvolio. Montague questions Benvolio as to the cause of

the fight. His wife then asks about the whereabouts of their son, Romeo. Benvolio

reports that he has seen Romeo walking around alone and unwilling to socialize

with anyone. Montague confirms this and Benvolio asks what the cause is of

Romeo's melancholy attitude. Montague says that Romeo refuses to discuss his

problem. Just then, Romeo enters and Benvolio determines to find out what is

wrong. He discovers that Romeo is in love with a girl who will not respond to his

advances. Benvolio advises him to forget her and to look elsewhere for someone

better but Romeo swears that no one will surpass her in beauty and his favor.

Act I, Scene 2?Act I, Scene 3

Act I, Scene 2: Capulet discusses the Prince's proclamation with Paris, saying that

he doubts that old men such as himself and Montague will have trouble refraining

from fighting (though he was quick to jump to fighting just moments before). Paris

agrees quickly and turns the subject to the young daughter of Capulet, Juliet. Paris

hopes to marry Juliet though Capulet feels that she is too young. He is reluctant to

give up his only living child. Juliet is Capulet's sole inheritor and responsible for

carrying on his bloodline. If she is harmed by marriage (having children too young),

Capulet will have no one to continue the family. Eventually, displaying the

inconsistent mood shifting that he continues throughout the play, he gives Paris

permission to attempt to win the consent of Juliet herself. He then instructs a

servant to take a list of names and invite those people to a gathering at the Capulet

house. Capulet and Paris exit, leaving the poor illiterate servant alone, wondering

how he will decipher the list. Romeo and Benvolio happen upon the servant as

they continue to discuss Romeo's plight. The servant, not recognizing the

Montagues, enlists Romeo's help to read his list. On the list is the name of

Rosaline, the girl for whom Romeo pines. Benvolio advises Romeo to go to

Capulet's dinner and let him compare Rosaline to other women so he can see that

she is not all that he had built her up to be. Romeo agrees to attend but maintains

that no one will outshine Rosaline.

Act I, Scene 3: Scene 3 opens in a room in the Capulet house. Capulet's wife has

the Nurse call for Juliet. The Nurse reminisces about Juliet's childhood. The

Nurse's own daughter, Susan, shared a birthday with Juliet but died. The Nurse

speculates that Susan was too good for her, much as Juliet will prove to be too

good for the Capulets (losing her life because the families will not reconcile).

Juliet's mother wishes to discuss marriage with Juliet, priming her for Paris' suit.

Juliet has not thought of marriage, being only 13. Her mother tells her that she was

a mother by the time she was Juliet's age and then alerts her to Paris' interest.

Juliet replies that she will behave in accordance with her parents' wishes. If they

are happy with Paris as the choice for her husband, she will marry him, but does

not express personal acceptance of the man.

Act I, Scene 4?Act I, Scene 5

Act I, Scene 4: Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio, and others make their way to the

Capulet house. They determine that they will not apologize for attending uninvited

yet plan to stay only briefly. Romeo is still going on about Rosaline, prompting

Mercutio to deliver a speech about Queen Mab. Mercutio had been trying to

lighten the mood with vulgar jokes and jests and finally launches into this speech

full of vulgar imagery (making them women of good carriage means good child

bearers or good in bed?the woman carries the weight of the man in bed). Mercutio

believes dreams to be simple fantasy, though Romeo believes them to be

prophetic. Romeo expresses a premonition that fate has an untimely death in

store for him as a result of attending the Capulet party. He believes that his life is

now moving in an uncontrollable direction and so he is not afraid. Unfortunately,

his premonition will prove to be accurate.

Act I, Scene 5: The party. Capulet welcomes his guests and bids them to dance,

teasing the women that if they do not, he will proclaim that they have corns.

Romeo spots Juliet and falls instantly in love (forgetting Rosaline). The party is a

masquerade but Tybalt recognizes the voice of Romeo and instantly jumps to

attack. He is stopped, much to his dismay, by Capulet who says that Romeo is

causing no trouble and will therefore be tolerated. Romeo and Juliet talk, and

Romeo kisses her. They continue to talk until the Nurse comes to bring Juliet to

talk with her mother. The Nurse informs Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet. After

Romeo has departed with Benvolio, the Nurse tells Juliet that he is a Montague.

Juliet laments the situation, as she has already fallen in love with Romeo.

Act II, Prologue?Act II, Scene 1

Act II, Prologue: The prologue summarizes the events of Act I. Romeo's love for

Rosaline is dead and his love for Juliet is born. The feud between their families will

make it very difficult for the lovers to be together but their love will help them find

a way.

Act II, Scene 1: Romeo is alone outside Capulet's orchard wall. When Mercutio and

Benvolio enter, trying to find him, he leaps over the wall. Mercutio mocks Romeo's

lovesickness for Rosaline. Neither Mercutio nor Benvolio know of Romeo's

newfound love for Juliet. They do see Romeo's obsession with the ideal of love, not

with Rosaline herself. Mercutio, in his typical style, refers to Rosaline in vulgar

terms, which make Juliet seem pure in comparison. Benvolio worries that Mercutio

is going to anger Romeo with his vulgarity but Mercutio feels his position is fair and

honest.

Act II, Scene 2?Act II, Scene 3

Act II, Scene 2: Romeo finds himself in Capulet's orchard and sees Juliet at her

window. He compares her to the sun, a light in his nighttime world. She speaks,

not knowing he is there, and expresses her love for him. She realizes that it is

simply his name that is her enemy. The name Montague does not define Romeo

but it does impact his social relationship with others, specifically her family. If

Romeo gave up his name, the problem with her family would not exist and she

would have her love. At this, Romeo steps from the shadows and declares his lover

for her. He will do anything for her love. Juliet fears that her family will discover

and harm him. She also asks that he pledge his love to her again, though she

realizes that he may be lying to her. She admits that she is smitten with him,

perhaps more than is proper, but she vows that she will prove herself to be as

serious as she hopes he is. They exchange vows of love until the Nurse interrupts

them, calling for her charge. Juliet exits briefly but quickly returns to Romeo. The

Nurse instantly begins to holler for her again so the lovers quickly make plans to

marry. They part at the break of dawn, expressing their longing for the moment

when they can next be together.

Act II, Scene 3: The Friar Lawrence is in his cell philosophizing to himself and

tending to his garden when Romeo rushes in. He tells the Friar that he and Juliet

have fallen in love and begs to be married. The Friar is surprised at how quickly

Romeo has forgotten Rosaline and worries that his love for Juliet is just as

superficial. Despite his misgivings, he agrees to marry the lovers in the hope that it

will ease the tensions between the feuding families.

Act II, Scene 4?Act II, Scene 5

Act II, Scene 4: Benvolio and Mercutio discuss Romeo. Tybalt has sent a challenge

to Romeo's house. Mercutio says that he has already been slain by his love for

Rosaline and is in no condition to confront Tybalt. As they discuss Tybalt, Romeo

enters. They all joke about Romeo's disappearance the night before and Romeo

apologizes, seemingly cured of the affliction that plagued him the night before.

The Nurse enters with her servant, Peter. Mercutio makes fun of the Nurse though

she is able to match him verbally. After Benvolio and Mercutio exit, the Nurse

warns Romeo that his intentions toward Juliet had better be serious. He assures

her and tells her to have Juliet come to Friar Lawrence's cell that afternoon. He

also tells her that he will send a rope ladder to be placed outside Juliet's window so

that he may sneak into her room and consummate their marriage that night. The

Nurse agrees but then tells Romeo of Paris' suit for Juliet. She assures him that

Juliet has no interest in Paris though she herself believes him to be the better man.

Act II, Scene 5: Juliet is impatiently awaiting the return of the Nurse. When she

finally arrives, Juliet asks her to send Peter away and give her Romeo's message.

The Nurse proceeds to torture Juliet with rambling complaints about her aching

bones, delaying giving her news. The Nurse continues to playfully tease Juliet until

she is completely frustrated. Finally, she gives her Romeo's instructions to be at

Friar Lawrence's. She also tells Juliet that during the wedding, she will be fetching a

rope ladder to ensure the possibility of their wedding night. She teases Juliet

saying that she will soon bear the burden meaning Juliet will bear Romeo's weight

in bed. Juliet hurries to her wedding.

Act II, Scene 6?Act III, Scene 1

Act II, Scene 6: Romeo waits impatiently in Friar Lawrence's cell, barely able to

contain his excitement. Friar Lawrence fears that the marriage will result in a

violent end though Romeo is so sure of himself that he challenges death to do its

worst. The Friar cautions Romeo to control his impetuosity. Juliet arrives and is

unimpressed by Romeo's over?the ?top proclamations of love. She believes that

true love cannot be expressed in words. They then go with the Friar to be married.

Act III, Scene 1: Benvolio and Mercutio are in the public square. Benvolio tries to

compel Mercutio to leave as the Capulet's are around and he fears that they will

not be able to escape a fight should they meet. Mercutio isn't convinced and

teases Benvolio for being quick to anger for inconsequential reasons himself.

Tybalt and other Capulet's enter and Tybalt confronts the Montague crowd.

Mercutio is antagonistic but Tybalt does not draw his sword. Romeo enters and

Tybalt immediately turns his attention to him, wanting revenge for his attendance

at the Capulet party. Romeo refuses to fight (as he is now married to Tybalt's

cousin) but Tybalt will not back down. Mercutio is horrified at Romeo's refusal to

fight; taking it as a sign of the damage love has caused him. Mercutio draws his

own sword to fight in Romeo's stead. Romeo steps between the two men in order

to stop the fight but Tybalt simply takes the opportunity to stab Mercutio under

Romeo's arm. The Capulet's run off. Mercutio is mortally wounded and curses

both families (ignoring his own fault for jumping into battle). He does manage to

keep a sense of humor, even as he dies. Tybalt returns and Romeo, now feeling

that he must avenge Mercutio's death, fights him. Tybalt is killed and Romeo, at

Benvolio's urging, runs away. The citizens of Verona, including the Prince, Capulets,

and Montagues, arrive on the scene having heard of Mercutio's death. Benvolio

tells the Prince what has taken place, though he blames Tybalt completely. He tells

the Prince that Romeo had attempted to stop the fight. Capulet's wife is furious

and demands Romeo be executed for killing Tybalt. Mercutio was a member of the

Prince's family. The Prince chooses to banish Romeo from Verona with death as

the punishment for returning. He also commands the feuding families to pay a fine

to compensate him for his loss.

Act III, Scene 2?Act III, Scene 3

Act III, Scene 2: Juliet is anxiously awaiting Romeo's arrival for their wedding night.

The Nurse arrives in mourning and brings news of death. Juliet initially fears that it

is Romeo who has been slain and then, learning that Tybalt is dead, thinks that she

has lost her cousin and her lover. The Nurse finally tells her what actually

happened. Juliet jumps to attack Romeo but when the Nurse joins in, she catches

herself and is ashamed of her disloyalty to her husband. She is distraught over the

idea that she will not ever see her husband again. The Nurse tells her that she

knows where Romeo is hiding and she will go to him and ensure the marriage is

consummated. Juliet gives the Nurse a ring for Romeo as a token of her love.

Act III, Scene 3: Romeo waits in Friar Lawrence's cell for news of his punishment.

When he learns of the banishment, he wishes it had been death. Banishment

means he will be separated from Juliet and he asks the Friar for poison. The Friar is

attempting to talk some sense into him when the Nurse arrives. She, like the Friar,

disapproves of Romeo's attitude. Friar Lawrence advises Romeo to go to Juliet that

night and then go to Mantua. He will wait in Mantua until the situation can be

straightened out. Romeo's youth is shown in his childish behavior. Juliet has found

strength to handle the situation in her love for Romeo but he only sees despair as

he will not be able to be near her. The Nurse presents Romeo with Juliet's ring and

he is comforted.

Act III, Scene 4?Act III, Scene 5

Act III, Scene 4: Paris tries to discuss his proposal of marriage with the Capulets.

They feel that Tybalt's death makes the timing difficult. Capulet changes his mind

suddenly and tells his wife to tell Juliet of the proposal. He says he will do his best

to convince her to marry, believing she will be obedient. Paris and Capulet set the

wedding date, which Paris eagerly anticipates.

Act III, Scene 5: Romeo and Juliet are in her bedroom, having shared their wedding

night together. The Friar had previously instructed Romeo to leave by dawn so as

to avoid being spotted. The lovers do not want to believe the time has come and

attempt to deny that fact. When Juliet realizes her husband will die if he doesn't

go, she urges him to do so. The Nurse arrives to warn Juliet that the Lady Capulet is

on her way. Romeo escapes down the rope ladder and says that they will be

together again. Juliet fears that it will be only in death. She begins to weep and

her mother enters. Lady Capulet believes her daughter is still weeping for the

death of Tybalt and proposes a plan to have Romeo poisoned. Juliet tries to

answer as she should without giving away her true feelings. She says that her heart

will be dead until she sees Romeo but her mother takes her statement to mean she

wishes to see Romeo dead. Lady Capulet then tries to cheer her up by telling her of

the planned marriage with Paris. Juliet says that she will not marry Paris, as he has

not courted her. She tells her mother that she would rather marry Romeo (whom

her mother thinks she hates). Capulet enters to share in the celebration of the

news and is informed that Juliet will not comply. He flies into a rage and threatens

to disown her if she will not follow his orders. His wife and the Nurse try to calm

him down a bit but he is completely enraged. He storms away. Lady Capulet will

not comfort her daughter and leaves as well. The Nurse advises Juliet to forget

Romeo now that he is banished and to marry Paris. The Nurse is a Capulet servant

and must support their wishes. She believes that everything will be fine if Juliet

simply follows her parents' directive. Juliet pretends to agree (though she feels

betrayed) and tells her to inform her parents that she has gone to Friar Lawrence's

cell for confession. She really plans to ask him for his help. If he cannot or will not

help her, she plans to kill herself.

Act IV, Scene 1-Act IV, Scene 2

Act IV, Scene 1: Paris is at the Friar Lawrence's cell

arranging his wedding. The Friar expresses concern over the

date being so soon and Paris' lack of consent from Juliet

herself. Paris attributes her lack of enthusiasm to Tybalt's

death and says that Capulet hopes the speedy wedding will

help her overcome her grief. Juliet arrives and meets Paris for

the first time. He asks her to admit she loves him but she

skillfully avoids giving a direct answer. As soon as he is

gone, Juliet expresses her desperation. She would rather kill

herself than marry another man. She is still true to Romeo

and hopes the Friar will have a solution. He advises her to go

home and pretend to give her consent to marry Paris. He

gives her a potion that will cause her to fall into a deep sleep

resembling death. He tells her to drink it the night before her

wedding. The Capulets will find her dead and place her in the

family tomb. Meanwhile, he will send word to Romeo.

Romeo will be in the tomb when she awakens and will take

her away to Mantua. Juliet leaves the Friar's cell feeling

strong and confident.

Act IV, Scene 2: The Capulets are planning Juliet's wedding.

Her father is still angry about her rebellious refusal to marry

Paris. Juliet arrives and makes a show of begging forgiveness

and agreeing to follow his wishes. Capulet responds by

moving the wedding to the very next day. He is ecstatic that

Juliet has come around and prepares to stay up all night

arranging everything himself.

Act IV, Scene 3-Act IV, Scene 4

Act IV, Scene 3: Lady Capulet, the Nurse, and Juliet are

preparing for the wedding. Juliet begs them to leave her

alone that night (so she can drink the potion). Once alone,

Juliet expresses her fear of drinking the potion. She worries

that it may not work, or perhaps the Friar has given her

poison. She thinks he may have decided to kill her to prevent

himself from being dishonored for marrying her and Romeo.

Then, she fears that if Romeo is not in the tomb when she

awakens, she will suffocate and manages to work herself into

a frenzy picturing the horrors of the vault. She calms down

only when she pictures the ghost of Tybalt coming for

Romeo. She drinks the potion, though her fears are all

justified, as it is the only way to her love.

Act IV, Scene 4: The Capulets rush to finish up their wedding

preparations. They hear music and Capulet announces that it

is Paris. He sends the Nurse to awaken Juliet while he goes to

meet his future son-in-law.

Act IV, Scene 5-Act V, Scene 1

Act IV, Scene 5: The Nurse goes to Juliet's bedroom and tries

to awaken her. When she finds that her charge is

unresponsive, she assumes Juliet is dead and calls for help.

The Capulets come in and are horrified to find their daughter

in such a state. Friar Lawrence and the County Paris enter

soon after. Paris joins the Capulets in mourning Juliet. The

Friar advises them to calm down for if they truly loved Juliet,

they would be joyful that she had gone to heaven. Capulet

orders the wedding preparations be changed to funeral

arrangements. Peter asks the musicians to play a particular

song to ease his woe. They refuse and begin bantering. Their

lighthearted conversation is a start contrast to the grave

situation at hand. It serves as a reminder of the suddenness of

Juliet's death.

Act V, Scene 1: Balthasar, one of Romeo's men, brings news

to him of Juliet's death. Romeo is inconsolable. He had not

yet received the letter from Friar Lawrence and so he believes

Juliet is actually dead. He sends Balthasar away and plans to

visit an apothecary he remembers. He knows the man is poor

and knows he will be able to buy an illegal poison to take his

own life. He convinces the apothecary to sell him the deadly

poison and leaves to join Juliet in her tomb.

Act V, Scene 2-Act V, Scene 3

Act V, Scene 2: Friar John, the messenger sent by Friar

Lawrence, returns to Friar Lawrence's cell and reports that he

was unable to deliver the message to Romeo. He was delayed

in Mantua because he was suspected of having the plague.

Nobody was willing to deliver the message for him because

they were afraid of contracting the disease. Friar Lawrence

realizes that Juliet will soon awaken. He plans to hide Juliet

in his cell until he can send another letter to Romeo.

Act V, Scene 3: Paris is at the Capulet's tomb to mourn

Juliet. When he spots Romeo, he sees the man who killed

Juliet's cousin and threw her into the state of despair that

killed her. He thinks Romeo has come to desecrate the bodies

and determines to capture him. Romeo refuses to go with

Paris. Paris tells him he must die and Romeo agrees; though

he intends to do it his own way. Paris will not back down and

so he and Romeo fight. Romeo mortally wounds Paris and

Paris' page, seeing this, runs to call for help. Paris asks to be

laid in the tomb with Juliet. Romeo takes Paris' body into the

tomb with him. Romeo marvels at how lifelike Juliet appears

to be and the way she seems to light up the tomb. He drinks

the poison, kisses her once more, and dies. Friar Lawrence

arrives at the churchyard and encounters Balthasar. He learns

that Romeo is present and asks Balthasar to accompany him

to the tomb. Balthasar refuses as Romeo had threatened him

with death if he didn't leave the churchyard and he doesn't

want to risk his disobedience being discovered. Friar

Lawrence enters the tomb and discovers the bodies of Romeo

and Paris. Juliet awakens and asks for Romeo. The Friar tells

her that both Romeo and Paris are dead and tells her to come

quickly and he will take her to a convent. He hears noise

suggesting the watchman is approaching. Juliet refuses to

leave the tomb so he hurries off without her. Juliet kisses

Romeo, hoping to find enough poison on his lips to kill her as

well. When she finds none, she snatches his dagger and stabs

herself to death. Paris' page and the watchman arrive and

discover the bodies. Another watchman has apprehended the

Friar. The Prince and the Capulets arrive and discover Juliet

newly dead with Romeo's dagger buried in her bosom.

The town is in an uproar. The Montague arrives with the

news that Lady Montague died of grief over Romeo's

banishment. The Prince decides to discover what has

happened before anyone enters the tomb. The Friar comes

forward and tells of Romeo and Juliet's love and the events

that had transpired. Balthasar presents the letter Romeo had

given him for Montague. The Prince reads it and discovers

the Friar to be truthful. He scolds the feuding families for

having brought this tragedy upon themselves. He also

recognizes his own fault for not forcing an end to the feud

before so many people died. Capulet and Montague vow

reconciliation. Romeo and Juliet's deaths have reunited

Verona and brought peace to its streets. The Prince calls

everyone to leave the churchyard to deal with the matter

further.

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Themes-

- Hastiness- Romeo is hasty to fall in and out of love. The two are too hasty to get

married; they never thought about what could go wrong.

- Infatuation- Romeo and Juliet, in all probability, were not really in love. They were

infatuated with each other. They were in love with the idea that they were in love. They

could not have fallen so deeply in love with only one conversation.

- Selfishness- Everyone in this play (except Benvolio) acts selfishly. Juliet never told her

parents about Romeo and did the selfish act of faking her death, which greatly upset

them. The Capulets were selfish for making Juliet marry a man that she did not love.

Both of the families were selfish for continuing the fighting. Friar Lawrence ran away

when they saw the two families go into the tomb. He wanted to prevent himself from

getting in trouble. Tybalt was selfish for killing Mercutio. Romeo was not thinking of

Juliet as he killed her cousin.

- Fate – Romeo and Juliet seem to unable to avoid the fated “star-crossed lovers”

prediction of their demise as foretold in the Prologue. At every turn, when the reader

believes they make it out of this “ill-fate” they fall further into the tragic situation.

Key Issues

- Feuding- The feuding of the families was the whole reason for the tragedy. They should

have reconciled their differences years ago. They didn't even know what they were

fighting about.

- Stereotypes-Some members of the Capulets and Montagues have never even met and yet

they hate each other. Why? Because of a person's last name.

- Dreams- The whole story had occurred in a dream which foretold their fate . This was a

warning for Romeo yet he chose to ignore it.

- Decisions- Many difficult decisions had to be made. Friar's decision to marry them was

difficult. He could have told their parents. He risked taking the responsibility for

marrying them knowing it might cause upheaval. Juliet had the difficult decision of how

to get out of marrying Paris. She was also confronted with the dilemma of whether to

appease her parents and follow their wishes which would mean marrying Paris or follow

her heart and marry Romeo.The families made the decision to end their feud to prevent

any more unnecessary deaths.

- Sacrifices- Romeo and Juliet were willing to sacrifice their relationship with their

families in order to be together.

Fate- It was considered fate that they would meet and fall in love and then die for each

other. Fate brought them together as well as ended their lives. It was in the stars.

Moral lessons

- There is more to love than lust. Romeo and Juliet did not take the time to get to know

each other and form a deep intimate relationship. They rushed into their relationship.

They were also very young to be experiencing love . Even people much older than them

do not know what love means. It may have really been true love that was mutually felt by

both of them though.

- Labels mean nothing- Their last name was a label. Their names were what almost kept

them apart. . But love saw through that. They saw each other in secrecy and soon fell

madly in love. Love sees no barriers.

- Listen to advice-If the families had listened to the Prince of Verona and made peace,

then Mercutio and Tybalt would not have died. If Romeo and Juliet would have listened

to the advice given to them by the Friar then they would not have died so young. The

Friar cautioned them about acting hasty and irrational. But instead the star-crossed lovers

meet the fate of death.

- Don't seek revenge-The families sought revenge for things that did not even involve

them and happened years ago. They needed to forgive and forget. Yet when both parties

are stubborn it takes the death of two young lovers for them to realize that their actions

were wrong. . Tybalt called Romeo a villain and dared him to fight. With his refusal

Mercutio began to fight Tybalt to defend the family name. Romeo tries to stop them, but

it is too late when Tybalt kills Mercutio. In anger and guilt Romeo than retaliates and

catches Tybalt. In Romeo's rashness Tybalt dies .

- Don't act hastily- This involves the manner in which Romeo and Juliet acted . They

should have thought things through first before they jumped into matrimony. Matrimony

is a lifetime thing and not just a teenage phase.

Students are to read Act Three of Romeo and Juliet over Easter Break.

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Newspaper - Verona Times
1. Advertisements from Time Period approximately 1500 C.E. in Italy
2. Cover Story dealing with some local issue following the Inverted Pyramid Structure
3. Editorial Covering an opinion on events from the play e.g. the family feud, rise in violence, etc...
4. Obituary of Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio, Tybalt, and Lady Montague
5. Neatness and Grammar/Conventions of Language


Marks break down:
1. Advertisements /5
2. Cover Story   /10
3. Editorial     /20
4. Obituary      /10
5. Neatness and Grammar/Conventions of Language  /5


Total = /50

Due Date: May 4th, 2012

Act Two Journal Entry

Compare the play to the film and discuss similarities and differences.

Two paragraphs in length

Due: April 23rd, 2012

Journal Entry on Act One of Play and Film

Write a two paragraph response providing the similarities and differences between the play and the film for ACT ONE.

Due: Tuesday, March 27th

Act One Assignment

1. Re-read Act One
2. Find three examples of each of the following devices:

Simile
Metaphor
Allusion
Personification
Irony
Pun
Alliteration
Rhyme

3. Find one example of each of the following: Conceit and Oxymoron

4. Explain what is being compared in the examples:
- Explaing what is being compared TWO Similes and/or Metaphors and its purpose/function in the scene
- Select ONE of the allusions and explain the reference and its purpose/function in the scene
- Explain the purpose of ONE pun

Read Act One, Scene One and Two

Outline for Personal Essay on Gender

Intro with Thesis
Gender in both “The Brute” and “The Fighting Days” and a personal opinion

Body 1
“The Brute” and Gender

Body 2
“The Fighting Days” and Gender

Body 3
Personal Opinion on Gender
family culture, media, etc...

Conclusion
closing by return
summary
Interesting note or point

Consider the issues of Gender discussed in "The Brute" by Anton Chekhov and "The Fighting Days" by Wendy Lill.

How are these plays similar and different?

How have attitudes changed or not changed since these plays were published for men and women in today's world?

500 words
Personal Reflective Essay
five-part essay structure
You must provide a sense of your own understanding of gender in your essay

Due: March 16th, 2012

Drama Quiz 1

Friday, February 24th

Drama Quiz 2

Monday, February 27th

Gender Essay comparing The Brute to The Fighting Days is due March 8th

Drama Club members,

Please read the message under Mr. Parab's Drama Club

Feb 13th (AM)

Laura O'Keefe
Jesse McGann
Stefan Hiscock
Kristen Murray
Sharee Burry
John Lake

Feb 13th (PM)

Eric Hutchings
Jack Hickey
Cameron Youden
Matthew Walker

Sample Speeches:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-ecOk0gWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuAbGJBvIVY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZsDliXzyAY

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Tips for Scoring

Voice

How effectively does the speaker express a sense of engagement in topic? Variation in tones? Sense of conviction behind the words? Compelling personal interest?

Modulation

How effectively does the speaker use inflection, stress or pitch to convey meaning? Do need to adjust and maintain different levels of the above for effect?

Enunciation

Are all words articulated well? Is pronunciation clear and correct?

Pace

Is the rate of delivery controlled? Varied? Does it reveal intention of construction in the writing?

Deportment

How effectively does the speaker conduct him/herself? Are behaviors and mannerisms reflective of the formality required by the topic?

Content

Does the speaker establish purpose clearly? Does the speaker select and integrate ideas and information, events, emotions, opinions or points of view to achieve an overall purpose? Do the speaker include enough detail, evidence, anecdote, examples, descriptions, etc. to support their idea or argument?

Development

How effectively does the speaker create an opening? Does the speaker establish and maintain focus? Does the speaker order and arrange details in a meaningful, logical, coherent way? Does the speaker transition between parts smoothly and necessarily? Are the relationships between parts of the speech clear?

Interest

Is the topic of interest to you? Does the speaker establish and sustain interest?

REVISED MARCH 2011

Essay Writing Resources

http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/essay/

http://essayinfo.com/

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/five_par.htm

http://www.studygs.net/fiveparag.htm

Classroom Oratorical Speeches will commence between the following dates:
January 30^th to February 10^th

*Students should have their speeches memorized with cue cards used mostly for prompting

St. Bonaventure’s College

Oratorical Competition 2011/2012

This year’s Oratorical Competition is now upon us. The final competition is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, March 8, 2012. In-class selections will be completed in the weeks prior for grades 5-12.

The topics for Grades 7-12 for this year are:

1. A world/social justice issue which you believe we need to know more about.

2. What would a food crisis mean for us?

3. To what extent, if any, have overseas wars of recent years made the world a safer place?

4. In light of the nuclear disaster in Japan, what, if any, should be the future of nuclear power in the Canada?

5. The Search for Clean Energy - what does this mean for Newfoundland and its Oil Industry?

6. The Occupy Movement - Social Activism - do social movements mean anything to young people today?  Should they?

7. The Continuing Development of Social Media - examine some aspect of social media

8. Vancouver Riots - is our social order fragile? 

9. Concussions in Sports - what concern should we have for this issue?  Examine the issue is some way.

10. Why should you avoid student debt as you consider university?

11. Should marijuana be legalized?

12. Should advertising be regulated?

13. What can video games teach us?

14. A topic of your choice - you MUST clear this with your teacher in advance.

 

Speeches are to be 3-5 minutes, and while they need not be entirely memorized, cue cards should only serve as a prompt.

We look forward to another year of successful speeches.

English Department

St. Bonaventure’s College

Students are to re-write the tasks from page 98 with greater detail and development fo Wednesday, January 18th. Then, they will have a peer revision and editing class to polish the essays for final copy to be submitted on Monday, January 23rd.

Students are to complete either task 1 or 2 on page 98 of Resourcelines for homework.

Students are also asked to please bring both Resourcelines and Sighlines to class until informed otherwise.

Grade Nine students are to read pages 88-92 in Resourcelines 9/10 and complete the writing activity on page 92 for homework.

Read chapters 10-15
COMPLETE CHAPTER SUMMARIES FOR CHAPTERS 8-9
Chapters 10-11 will be completed in class

REFLECTIVE JOURNAL WILL  BE COMPLETED IN CLASS

Students are to write one paragraph chapter summaries for Chapter 1-4 for homework.

These chapters summaries will be scored for marks.

Stitches

Students are to bring the novel STITCHES to the next class or face a penalty on participation.

"Waiting for the Guide at Terezin" poetry assignment is due Friday, October 28th.

9 LA Poetry Test

Tuesday, November 8th

"The Highway Man" (pages 184-187)

Students are to complete the assignment on a separate sheet of paper.

Students leaving for St. Mary's must submit thei assignment by Wednesday, October 19th or face a 10% penalty.

All other students will have to submit by the end of Thursday, October 20th even though there is no class for that day.

Philip Wayne Pynn Opinion Article is due Monday, October 3rd.

400 Words minimum

12 pt with Times New Roman font

Students must read writing an opinion-piece in Resourcelines 9/10.

Students will have research completed on mock-murder trial of Pynn versus Crown. Students can search information in newspapers and online. 

Search: Wayne Pynn and Nick Winsor or Portugal Cove Road Murder or Attempted Break and Enter.

Compile information and bring it to class on Monday, September 26th for review and analysis.

Students will have access to mock-evidence and testimony for Monday, September 26th.