Themes in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

Themes in Romeo and Juliet EssayThe story of Romeo and Juliet continues to interest and engage viewers and readers to the present day. One of the reasons for this may be that it explores universal themes which atomic number 18 still of interest and concern to everyday people. The crop makes us think most issues, such as love, loyalty to ones family and friends, representation, and fate. Each of these themes is discussed infra in relation to the play.LoyaltyRomeo and Juliet contains many an(prenominal) examples of loyalty of one person or group to another person or group. Loyal actions in the play do not always fall in positive results and cannot always be seen to have been the best course of action. At times, as we see in the go-ahead of the play, loyalty can lead to violence and people behaving dishonestly or wrongly. educatee Tasks1. In your groups, discuss and decide on a definition of loyalty. In your answer consider the following What is loyalty and how does a loya l person behave? Where does loyalty start and stop?2. Think of at least tether examples of when a person or group shows loyalty in Romeo and Juliet. preserve downa. Who was loyal to whom?b. How they were loyalwhat did they do that showed loyalty? c. What the result of their actionsdid their loyalty have positive or negative outcomes in the end?3. U intrudeg the scenes of Romeo and Juliet that we have studied in class, find three quotations that show that a character is facial expression torn or pulled in two directions by their loyalties. Write down the quotation and explain what it shows about the character and to whom they are loyal.AuthorityAuthority is illustrated and explored in Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeares time, authority was very closely linked in peoples minds to the naturalorder of the world and to the will of God. For example, the authority of the pouf or queen was believed to be given to them by God. Therefore, anyone who went against the authority of the king or queen would be considered to be committing a crime or sin against the wishes of God. People who went against authority were seen as going against the natural order and many people believed that this could only end in disaster.Student Tasks4. There are many other words related to the word authority. For example authoritarian, authorize, authoritative. Look up each of these words and find out what form of word that they are, for example, noun, adjective, adverb. Write a brief definition for each of the words including the word authority.5. Find and write down three examples from the play where one person or group has authority over another group.6. Describe three situations in the play when a person or group disobeys authority. What is the end result in each situation? Which of these examples of disobedience are the most serious ones in your opinion?7. Are there any situations in Romeo and Juliet where people in authority do not do their jobs properly? For example, do the people in a uthority always carry out their jobs as carefully and as closely as they should?8. What message or idea do you think Shakespeare might have wanted to say in Romeo and Juliet about the nature of authority and about obeying authority?LoveLove in Romeo and Juliet is presented almost as a disease that makes you physically ill and that makes you behave in a foolish way.Student Tasks9. Read the two statements about the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet. Asa group, choose the statement that you agree with more and find quotations and examples from the play to view as your opinion. Be prepared to contribute your ideas to a class discussion. a. Romeo and Juliet is one of the greatest love stories of all times. b. Romeo and Juliet is more about passion, hate, and the importance of obedience than it is about love. exigency versus free willIn Shakespeares time, fate was seen as your personal fortune or destiny that was predetermined by God. You could escape or distract it. Your fate was said to be aligned with the stars (that is why astrologers have such importance for some people). On the other hand, there is free will. This is where a person takes control and makes his or her own destiny thereby changing the will of God. This was seen as a sin.Student Tasks10. Write down three examples of fate or free will from Romeo and Juliet.11. What message was Shakespeare trying to convey about fate and free will?