Got an essay or assignment due on Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet? Use these free essays to inspire your own writing. Click here for more Romeo and Juliet / Shakespeare essays or scroll down for a guide to the play and advice on writing Romeo and Juliet essays.
Shakespeare’s plays contain at minimum the base story line for hundreds of films, from original text adaptations such as William Dieterle’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to animation adaptations like Disney’s Gnomeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s work is universal as it has been translated into dozens of languages, but more importantly, because it reaches every person and … Read more
Introduction William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is a timeless tragedy that explores the themes of love, fate, and the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations. Among the many factors contributing to the tragic outcome of the play, the impulsiveness of the central characters, particularly Romeo, stands out as a critical element. This essay examines … Read more
Introduction The timeless appeal of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” has inspired countless adaptations across different media. Among these adaptations, “West Side Story” stands out for its innovative reimagining of the classic tale set in mid-20th century New York City. This essay explores the similarities and differences between “Romeo and Juliet” and “West Side Story,” … Read more
Dissenting voices offers challenges to existing values and beliefs. Part of being a dissenting voice is the refusal to conform to society. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet from the play by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (1597) and Holden Caulfield from Catcher and the Rye by J. D. Salinger (1951), all go through the harsh … Read more
Guns, gangs and violence in Verona beach? Has Baz Luhrmann bitten off more than he could chew with his ‘modernised’ take on the romantic tragedy of Shakespeare’s classic ‘Romeo & Juliet’? By Larna Milton I’ve seen Richard III as a Nazi. I’ve seen prince Hal and Falstaff as homosexuals in Portland and ‘Macbeth’ as a … Read more
What is love? Many people say that love is a set of emotions and beliefs associated with strong feelings for another person. This emotion runs deep, and as such, is a strong sentiment that individuals are willing to sacrifice themselves all in the name of love. The play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, … Read more
Romeo And Juliet is a tragedy showing the descent from comedy and love, to death. However, during the Prologue the audience is foretold the outcome of the play. This confuses us as a modern audience and makes the play seem like a challenge to place the blame of the outcome on to one character. Throughout … Read more
Alex Castro Cruz 3-26-19 English Period 5 Romeo and Juliet was a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around the years 1594-1597. First performed at the Global Theater in 1595, it became an overnight sensation around London and then across the entirety of England, showing enough drama, action, and comedy for everyone to enjoy. Soon, it … Read more
Young lover’s views on love never remain stagnant and develops over time as well as past experiences. The romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet prove this idea of the development of their views on love. Romeo and Juliet is about two young children, sixteen and thirteen respectively, finding love in … Read more
Romeo and Juliet: the renown, star-crossed lovers who exemplify what it means to find one’s true love. But does their story of feuding families, secret meetings, and apothecary poisonings really show what true love is like? Starting at a supposedly-Montague-free party, Romeo, a teenager that was, moments ago, pining over Rosaline, fell into a deep … Read more
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a fantastic story about love with many twists and turns that, ultimately, shows that emotions can lead you in a dangerous path. In both Baz Luhrmann (1997) and Franco Zeffirelli’s (1968) version of Shakespeare’s play we are shown that, as a result of complications involved in falling in love, … Read more
In William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet there are many different themes. Mercutio, Tybalt , and Nurse all relate to the theme of the play because they influence Romeo and Juliet in various ways.When Tybalt and Mercutio die it inspires Juliuet to take intimate notice in Romeo and Romeo wants to avenge Tybalt after being … Read more
Mercutio, a kinsman to Prince Escales and friend to Romeo, uses iniquitous language and shrewd wordplay to show how he is finally glad that Romeo has conquered his infatuation and uses visual imagery and words to portray his honour, loyalty, his wittiness, and the derisive aspect of his character. Even though Mercutio is not the … Read more
William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy that depicts the story of two feuding families and their children who fall in love. At the end of the play when the two children die, the parents come together and end the feud. Shakespeare utilises contrast to add dramatic effect and contribute greatly to the tragic … Read more
Romeo and Juliet’s love is heavily influenced by outside forces, as are many feelings, actions, and other relationships in and out of Romeo and Juliet, a play by Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is a story about two teens in love who are separated by the generations long feud between their families, the Montagues and Capulets. … Read more
Shakespeare presents romantic love in various ways through ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Initially, Romeo is shown to be madly in love Rosaline for her appearance, and it is not genuine love. When Romeo and Juliet meet, Shakespeare shows their love as true love. However, the strength of their love causes them to die. In some ways, … Read more
In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Romeo and Juliet, marriage is depicted as a status symbol, a source of security and stability, and being sweet/romantic. Firstly, marriage is presented as a status symbol by Juliet’s mother, Lady Capulet in particular. In the first act, Lady Capulet attempts to persuade Juliet to marry Paris with “The fish … Read more
Shakespeare highlights brotherly love throughout Romeo and Juliet and there are five examples of it. Romeos two main best friends are Benvolio and Montague. Benvolio represents a peace-maker and Mercutio a volatile, provocative man and has a language that includes sexual innuendos. In the Baz Luhrmann film, Luhrmann depicts Montague as a sexually ambiguous character … Read more
Romeo and Juliet’s: Movie vs Play William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,” set in 16th century Verona, Italy shares differences with Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet,” set in modern day Verona Beach. These stories contain the same characters and conflict, however major and minor discrepancies are galore in the story lines of both … Read more
Kaleab Tekle Mrs. Lloyd Literature/Writing, Period 1 May 27, 2022 Comparing and Contrasting William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is similar to the animated film Gnomeo & Juliet in that both stories feature the feuding Capulets and the Montagues, the fight between Tybalt and Romeo/Gnomeo and both main characters fall in love at first sight. In … Read more
The Destruction Respective to Love in Romeo and Juliet Love is typically associated with a positive connotation, bringing people together; this is seen in William Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet which is a world wide famous love story. But, ironically, love within Romeo and Juliet usually leads to destruction: ending lives; ruining friendship and families; and … Read more
Family conflict is presented strongly through Lady Capulet’s line, “I would the fool were married to her grave”. Women of this era would marry suitable bachelors, highlighting the strict rule for them at this time to do as they were instructed by their fathers. Paris would have fit this criteria, as he was a nobleman … Read more
Albert Nguyen Ms. Wham Joyce English I Pre-AP 1st Prd 2/20/18 The Rope When a length of rope is taut, it is tightened with no slack. By straining the fibers on the rope, it toughens– hardens. With every additional strand intertwined into another, the line strengthens. Similar to rope, friendships are formed through intricately weaved … Read more
Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare is a very popular play about a pair of young star-crossed lovers from two very different very powerful families who are in a long-lasting feud that goes back generations and generations. Two very important characters in the play are Nurse and Friar Laurence. Both characters had a personal … Read more
Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968), a remake of William Shakespeare’s play, and other movies like it including Randall Kleiser’s Grease(1978) and Robert Wise’s West Side Story (1961) impacted the society that we live in today and modern relationships with the way they romanticized the main characters relationship. Where better to begin than with Franco … Read more
Abbasi 1 Muhammad Abbasi Ms. Khouri ENG1D1- 19 April 29, 2019 The Relation between Romeo and Juliet and their Parents Children are afraid to tell parents their secrets. In the play, Romeo and Juliet both the protagonist, Romeo, and Juliet are afraid to tell parents their secrets. The parents were not understanding their kid’s emotions, … Read more
Romeo and Juliet is set in Renaissance Verona during the Elizabethan era. The play is about two families, the Montague’s and the Capulet’s, who are in an ongoing feud over an “ancient grudge”. Throughout the play, Shakespeare shows how the Italians loved the Renaissance era, which brings together Romeo and Juliet, son and daughter of … Read more
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is considered a great, timeless love story, however, it actually explores the impulsive actions of a misguided teenager and kills six people in the process. The star-crossed lovers were so obsessed with the idea of each other to simply escape from their current situation that they went through drastic measures resulting … Read more
Benvolio, the Friend You Always Wanted In most plays, books, and stories the minor characters seem to be overlooked. Some minor characters should have the spotlight instead of not being noticed because they can play an important role in the theme of writings. The minor character is usually the ‘glue’ that holds together the main … Read more
Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Test Constructed Response 51. The pamphlet The Teen Brain:Still Under Construction outlines and explains the reasoning behind many of the key decisions that are shown to be made throughout The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. One such claim that The Teen Brain:Still Under Construction makes that … Read more
The idea of star-crossed lovers and that love conquers all is a popular idea in the pop culture of this time. With the popularization of movies such as Frozen and Beauty and the Beast many have fallen into the void of thinking that love truly is an almighty power. The idea that the “stars” can … Read more
David Opening statement Our argument is that Tybalt is the most at fault for the eventual death of Romeo and Juliet. First, let’s start off by saying that Shakespeare portrays Tybalt as the villainous character that causes several deaths and misfortunes. Tybalt is known for causing the turning point in the story which is known … Read more
The tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare as a creative way of expression the author’s opinion on some of life’s tragedies and loves in the fifteen hundreds. One of his opinions was a warning against rashly making the wrong decisions. All of the hastily made decisions in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ … Read more
Ian Czerkis Mrs. Holevar/Mrs. Millard Honors Language Arts 9 5th Hour 4 March 2018 Star-Crossed Vulnerabilities In Kelly Clarkson’s song, “Love So Soft”, she talks about how both members of a relationship should be vulnerable, so they can have a lasting relationship. In her song, she says “If you want this love, gotta hold it … Read more
“According to Pat Benatar, love is a battlefield. ‘Love’, as encountered in William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. is no exception. Beginning with the grave animosity displayed between the Montagues and Capulets, through to the internal struggle torturing each young sweetheart, culminating in the disastrous, tragic consequences, the reader notes very little joy in the notion … Read more
How Love and Hate will lead to Romeo and Juliet’s fate William Shakespeare once said, “Love me or hate me, both are in my favour. If you love me, I’ll always be in your heart… If you hate me, I’ll always be in your mind.” William Shakespeare’s novel, Romeo and Juliet, introduces an in depth … Read more
Shakespeare uses his perspective on situations, e.g. the way minor characters are used in Romeo & Juliet and Othello to illustrate the way in which these characters behave and what role they have on the play overall and how Shakespeare has used them to portray a message. This essay will focus on comparing the different … Read more
When would a parent rethink their position on a plan for their child if the child did not accept it? Give an example of conflicting plans between a child and a parent. When would a parent decide not to press the issue any longer and relent to the child’s wishes? An example of conflicting plans … Read more
Statement of Intent: The purpose of writing this piece is to unravel the mysterious character of Tybalt and elucidate his under-recognized impact on the play. Many argue the cause of the demise of the lovers, some blame the friar and some blame the nurse, but this piece proves the true culprit to be held accountable … Read more
Was it fate, a feud between two rival families, love at first sight, a dangerous plan, or just bad luck that led to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Ending with two tragic suicides, the classic story of “Romeo and Juliet” written by William Shakespeare, depicts the lives of two star crossed lovers who try … Read more
It is proven that humans do indeed change over time without a detailed notice or even with basic foreshadowing. This causes humans to be very unpredictable. The play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is about two star-crossed lovers who must hide their relationship due to an on-going family feud which makes the two family … Read more
“More fiasco results from indecision than wrong practices”. This concise quote aptly encapsulates one of the most pivotal themes present in the acclaimed play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The play, which focuses on the journey of two star-crossed lovers from rival families, has an ever-increasing number of underlying themes emerging as the play … Read more
Shakespeare includes chaos causing agents and antagonists in his plays as a way of representing problems with both the protagonist as well as the current societal foundations in which he was living. By setting up each play with the tragic ruin or failure of our main character he depicts the correlation between what is fiction … Read more
Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, follows the two eponymous characters as they navigate the destruction and devastation true love can bring. Juliet begins as a wide-eyed, innocent young girl, merely 13 years old, yet throughout the course of the play, Shakespeare portrays the development of Juliet’s character indirectly through the language she uses, the language … Read more
Explore Shakespeare’s presentation of the relationship between Lord and Lady Capulet and Juliet in Act 1 Scene 2, Act 3 Scene 5 and Act 4 Scene 5 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. In Act 1 Scene 2 Lord Capulet is seen to be very understanding and takes a modern approach to Juliet’s love life, which was … Read more
Introduction For this essay, I have selected the final scene between Romeo and Juliet in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996) in which both characters die. I decided to choose this scene as I felt there was a lot of analysis that could be taken from things like the lighting, decorations/ props, and the costumes. … Read more
William Shakespeare as one of the greatest writers in English Language addresses many different problems which have only been exposed as major societal problems since the emergence of sociology. Sociological problems such as sexism and anti-Semitism are evident, common topics through Shakespeare’s plays. With specific reference to ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’, … Read more
Introduction According to the classic definition given by Aristotle, “Tragedy is, then, an imitation of a noble and complete action, having the proper magnitude; it employs language that has been artistically enhanced by each of the kinds of linguistic adornment, applied separately in the various parts of the play; it is presented in dramatic, not … Read more
Question 1) Romeo and Juliet, text, context and ideas. [Time] Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, was expounded on 1594– 96 and first distributed in an unapproved quarto in 1597. An approved quarto showed up in 1599, significantly more and more solid. A third quarto, in view of the second, was utilized by the … Read more
We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet. The story of two destined lovers who were killed by their own doing. But what if they weren’t two destined lovers who got unlucky, but doomed partners that were never going to have a good-life to begin with. William Shakespeare gives us a view of early … Read more
I believe that all four suspect the young lovers, the family, the state and the church all can be blamed for the death of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare has betrayed Friar Lawrence is a caring, loved by many and wise character that did whatever he could to help Romeo and Juliet. However, if you interrogate … Read more
When Romeo and Juliet meet, they are oblivious that they are from different families, but when they find out, they are hesitant to continue with their relationship. Two devices used in this passage are metaphor and religious imagery. Metaphor is used to express love in this passage, and occasionally hate. When Juliet finds out that … Read more
Shakespeare’s work has always been one to influence and touch people around the world for years. The themes behind each of his writings are known for their deep meanings and applicability to a persons life. For instance, Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest both have themes and messages within them that are meaningful. The story … Read more
Time slips in the blink of an eye(clock/blink/eye) * Towards the end of Romeo and Juliet, the reader sees a glimpse of hope in a story with an obvious fate. Friar Laurence and Juliet form the plan that relies on timing and it falls flat. When Juliet agrees to marry Paris her father is so … Read more
Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack Assignment: “The Heart Wants What it Wants” by Selena Gomez Prologue: because this song sums up the story of the play, when only the heart can control actions, not minds. “Everybody was Kung Fighting” by Carl Douglas Act 1 Scene 1 when everyone starts to fight in the streets. “Don’t … Read more
Romeo and Juliet Talk Show Screenplay (Jimmy Kimmel Live Parody) Transition to an Intro Screen saying Announcer (Orlando) From Verona, Italy it’s a special episode of JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!! Tonight, we have Romeo and Juliet a couple who recently wrote a book about their love, an exclusive interview with the amazing parent, Lady Capulet, and … Read more
The structure of society occasionally forbids people from certain acts and regulations that if gone against, can lead to dispute. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the incredible notion of love becomes destroyed by the patriarchal societies idea of what is acceptable and what is not. Shakespeare represents a society that frequently makes all the … Read more
“Romeo and Juliet / A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare’s interpretation of love”; William Shakespeare, is arguably the most influential writer in history. With his tremendous word play and thought process, William Shakespeare was able to bring many creative works to life. His thought process lives on through his works to this day featuring … Read more
‘What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?’ (John Steinbeck). John Steinbeck talks about how for a summer to be something special you need a winter to give summer its character. Oppositions give stories more emotion and character like winter gives summer its special quality that differs … Read more
Newton’s third law states that every action must have an equal and opposite reaction, and while this statement references physics, it is a statement that can be applied to infinite situations and subjects, and rings particularly true in the case of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The passionate teenage lovers end tragically as a result of … Read more
The murder of Mercutio and Tybalt (Act III, Scene i) which follows the secret marriage of Rome and Juliet and crystallises the battle between good and evil in the play.
“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo,” said the prince. The story of Romeo and Juliet is indeed surrounded by sorrow and distress. The tragedy is driven by blindness love to each other. Romeo and Juliet both knew their role in their families, they knew their love for each other will never be approved by their families, they are told to see each other as enemies, but yet they still fell into a trap which they created for themselves. Is this their ultimate fate or it is something that they can change? There are certainly some decisions that are made to fail, and also some characters other than Romeo and Juliet, which failed to do what they are called to do.
One of the crucial things that contributed to this tragic event is Romeo’s character. Throughout the story, there are a lot of places which show his impulsiveness. One example of this early in the play. Romeo reacts emotionally when he hears his beloved Rosaline is going to a convent. But in a few scenes later, he sees Juliet the first time and instantly forgets about Rosaline. “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night. Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” (1.5.43-45) Although he knows clearly that Juliet is a Capulet and he should not have any relationship with her, he still finds a chance to speak with her, and later even asks if he can kiss her. This is a great example of Romeo’s impulsiveness. If Romeo thinks about the consequences they both need to bear before taking action, they would have never met and the tragic ending will not happen.
Friar Lawrence’s failure to do what he is called to do by making two big mistakes also impacted the tragic ending. Firstly, although he had a good intention to end the feud between the Montagues and the Capulet’s through marrying Romeo and Juliet when he said: “For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancour to pure love.”(2.3.91-92) He makes his decisions too quickly without thinking Romeo and Juliet are still teenagers who are blinded by love. They should spend more time knowing each other first before determining they are right for each other. In the end, the two families indeed meet at one point and end the feud, but is there a better way to solve the problem without the tragic ending? Secondly, when Juliet awakes from the tomb, Friar Lawrence arrives and he attempts to bring Juliet away from the tomb, he says, “Stay not to question, for the Watch is coming; come, go, good Juliet. I dare no longer stay.”(5.3.158-159) Juliet, of course, does not listen because she just woke from sleeping, she asks Friar Lawrence what happened, but because he is afraid that he will get caught so he runs away leaving Juliet behind. His selfishness made Juliet commit suicide. Friar Lawrence runs away when Juliet needed her the most, and the consequence of that is Juliet killing herself because she thinks that she has no point living anymore due to the death of her beloved.
Finally, Romeo and Juliet’s “love” to each other is the most crucial thing which leads to the tragic ending. They both claim to fall in love within seconds when they see each other the first time. They didn’t get to know each other first like normal people would, instead they both jumped into conclusion that they need to get married as soon as possible. In reality, they are just attracted to each other’s appearance and they are not truly in love. One reason supporting that is throughout the story, Romeo and Juliet are just teenagers who are trying to seek distraction from reality. Romeo isn’t in love with Juliet because he is still in love with Rosaline. He is trying hard to get over her after Rosaline rejected him. This quote by Romeo, “I’ll go along, no such sight to be shown, but to rejoice in splendour of mine own”, (1.3.33) proves that Romeo is attending the ball just to see Rosaline. Romeo is heartbroken because Rosaline is not returning his love, so he immediately shows his “love“ to Juliet just to escape from reality. Juliet, on the other hand, is also not in love with Romeo. She is trying to escape the reality of marrying Paris. Juliet’s unwillingness to marry Paris makes her think that by marrying Romeo, she will not need to be with a man she is not interested in. Romeo and Juliet are using each other’s love to escape from their unpleasant realities.
In conclusion, the tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet is not only the result of them both. It is also caused by other characters such as Lord Capulet, The Nurse, and Friar Lawrence. If Lord Capulet asks Juliet’s opinion on marrying Paris instead of forcing her, Juliet will not come out as impulsive and desperate. If The Nurse does not blindly encourage Romeo and Juliet to do whatever it takes to be together, they may rethink their love to each other. If Friar Lawrence thinks about the consequences they all will bear if his plans fail, the ending of Romeo and Juliet may not be tragic. Even though Romeo and Juliet could escape reality, but they will never be able to escape their fate. The opening lines of “Romeo and Juliet” tells us they will eventually die and the ending is set. “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes. A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life.” (Prologue) It is possible that a series of coincidences, bad decisions, and bad luck altar the tragic ending, but no matter what the characters do to defy fate, the outcome will not be a happy one. They are chosen to die, they are chosen to be the ones who will bring change into Verona through their deaths, they are fated to love and die for the greater good of Verona. In the end, no one can defy fate. Is fate will be what it will be, no matter what?
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Here are some key points, themes and topics for discussion:
