Persuasive essay Week 3-4

If Juliet had told her parents that she had married Romeo, Juliet would most likely have been murdered by her father. A simple nice long talk would not have cured the feuding families problems but in fact it would have most likely made the problems worse. In the novel, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's father is seen to be quite violent when he does not get his way. An example of this is when Juliet refuses to marry Paris and her father slaps her multiple times, calls her garbage and threatens to disown her which essentially means she will die of starvation anyway. Can you imagine his anger if he found out that Juliet had married the enemy. Her father would be furious. He would probably beat her to death. The problems between Juliet and her parents could not be solved by sitting down and having a nice long chat because that would most likely end in the death of Juliet.

The Sun, the moon, the stars

Imagery helps the audience to a great extent to understand the characters and central themes. Shakespeare was very clever in using imagery that relates to the sky to further introduce his characters and central themes. An example of when Shakespeare used imagery related to the sky to further introduce a character is in act 2 scene 2 when Romeo has just meet Juliet at the Capulet's party and has run back to her window waiting for her to appear. Romeo says tenderly, "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon." This example shows when Shakespeare was using imagery relating back to the sky to further introduce Romeo. This quote shows Romeo to be romantic and very spiritual. Romeo is saying that Juliet is his sun and without her the sky would be dark. Another example of when Shakespeare uses imagery relating to the sky is again in act 2 scene 2 when Juliet is telling Romeo not to swear his love to the moon. Juliet says, "O swear not by the moon, th'inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb." In this quote Juliet tells Romeo not to swear his love for her to the moon as it changes every month. This shows Juliet as being romantic, quite unsure and wanting so desperately for Romeo to love her as much as she loves him. She begins to become anxious and this becomes apparent through Shakespeare's imagery relation to the sky. Shakespeare also used imagery relating to the sky to create certain themes. One of the themes that became evident was fate. In the play Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare uses the idea of star cross lovers which means that Romeo and Juliet had been brought together as their stars had aligned. They were basically destined to be doomed. He refers to the fact that Romeo and Juliet had no control over their fates as it was all planned out in the stars. Without Shakespeare using imagery relating to the sky audiences all over the world would not have as greater insight into the characters and themes in Shakespeare's plays as they do today.

Romeo is an impulsive character and his actions are influenced by his emotions...

Romeo Montague is a very impulsive character and his actions are greatly influenced by his emotions. Romeo's actions are influenced by his emotions many times for example when Romeo is to leave the party that the Capulet's are holding he can't control himself and runs to see Juliet outside her bedroom window. This shows that Romeo, instead of leaving, risks his life by his actions which was influenced by his feelings for Juliet. Another example of when Romeo lets his feelings for Juliet lead into a sudden action is again when he is standing out the front of Juliet's window and asks her to marry him. This action was very greatly influenced by his emotions/ feelings towards Juliet. He is very impulsive asking Juliet to marry him,which is a decision for life, before he even got to know her. Romeo is a very impulsive character that lets his emotions rule his actions, probably a little to much. Emotion means everything to Romeo and therefore he does not mind risking his life for love.

Respect your Elders!

In the Capulet household respect for elders is paramount and this is shown through out the novel. For example in Act 1 scene 5 Tybalt recognises the sound of Romeo's voice and is outraged. He can't believe that a Montague would have the nerve to show up at a Capulet party. Tybalt tells Lord Capulet to fetch him his sword so that he can kill Romeo only to find Capulet tell him not to. Tybalt is disgusted with Lord Capulet but when Capulet threatens Tybalt to be taken off his will, Tybalt calms down. This shows that Tybalt, Capulet's nephew, respects his elder and listens to him despite his anger towards Romeo. Another example of respecting elders in the Capulet family is between Juliet and her father, Lord Capulet. Juliet is expected to listen to her father as he is older than her. An example of this is when Capulet is arranging Juliet to marry Paris. Although Juliet does not know about this at the time it is apparent that she would not argue with her father as she holds the greatest respect for him and her mother. This is confirmed later on when Juliet's mother tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris and asks her what she thinks of that. Juliet replies to her mother respectfully that she will do what ever she is told to do even though she may not love Paris. In the Capulet household respect for elders is paramount and this is shown in the way that Juliet listens to and respects her mother and father and by the way Tybalt responds to Lord Capulet's instructions.

Character Profile

Romeo

• Romeo is handsome, passionate, impulsive, intelligent and sensitive.
• Romeo is hated by the Capulets (exception for Juliet) and loved by Juliet.
• Romeo is son of Lady Montague and Lord Montague. Mercutio & Benvolio are Romeo's closet friends and Benvolio is also Romeo's cousin. Balthasar is Romeo's dedicated servant. Rosaline is Romeo's past love. Last but not least Juliet is Romeo's true love.
• Romeo Montagues main role is to fight past all the hatred between the two families (Capulets and Montagues) to be with Juliet.
• Romeo links to the theme of love, destiny and courage.

Benvolio

• Benvolio is caring and always very peaceful often trying to stop conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues.
• Benvolio is hated by the Capulets as he is a Montague and he is admired as a friend and cousin by Romeo.
• Benvolio is Lord Montagues nephew and he is Romeo's close friend and cousin.
• Benvolio's main role seems to be to help Romeo through his tough time of getting over his love for Rosaline.
• Benvolio links to the theme of courage, love and friendship.

Juliet

• Juliet is beautiful, very obedient and very impatient. In act 1 scene 3 when Juliet is asked by her mother, Lady Capulet, what she thinks of marrying Paris. Juliet replies that she will never love Paris but she will marry him if it is what her father and mother want form her. This shows that Juliet is very obedient to her parents and agrees to marry Paris even though she does not want to. In act 2 scene 5 when Juliet's nurse returns from meeting with Romeo, Juliet is very impatient when the nurse takes a while to answer her. She begins to get very annoyed with the nurse and the audience then learns that she is not patient.
• Juliet is viewed by Romeo as his other half... his soul mate. Juliet is also viewed by her father and mother as a beautiful young lady that is yet to see the world. Juliet is seen by her nurse as a daughter.
• Juliet has a very close relationship with her nurse. Her nurse mothered her ever since she was born. To start with her nurse was her wet nurse which meant she breast feed Juliet as a baby and then progressed with Juliet to the stage they are at. The nurse is like Juliet's mother. Juliet is in love with Romeo, which she admits in Act 2 scene 2 to Romeo without even knowing he was listening to her. She is very obedient to her mother and father as explained before when Lady Capulet asks Juliet what she thinks about marrying Paris to which he replies with she will never love Paris but will marry him to make her mother and father happy.
• Juliet's main role in the play seems to be to fight past the two families (Capulet's & Montague's) differences to be with her true love, Romeo.
• Juliet seems to be linked in the theme of love at first sight because in the play Act 1 scene 4 when Juliet and Romeo first meet Juliet instantly falls in love with Romeo just by looking at him even though she has no idea who he is, she later discovers he is her enemy.

"Love Story"

Discussion Questions:
1. Outline the subject matter of the poem?
Taylor Swift was explaining a “love story” in this song.
2. Why is the poem entitled “Love Story”? Use evidence from the lyrics to support the titles significance and relevance.
The song is entitled “Love Story” because in the song Taylor is explaining a love story in which “Romeo” is coming to take her away so they can be alone and they get a happy ending.
3. Describe the relationship between the two characters. Who are they?
They two characters are named Romeo and Juliet and they are two young people who fell in love and are forbidden to see each other. They have a strong relationship where they love and trust each other very much.
4. What evidence is there to suggest that these lovers have to overcome obstacles in their relationship?
Well in the song she says “And my daddy said stay away from Juliet”. This indicates one obstacle that would have to be overcome for the two lovers to be together… Romeo would have to win over Juliet’s father.
5. What themes and issues are explored in the lyrics and through the video clip?
Well there is the theme of fantasy and the video clip is set in the olden days. Romance is explored in the lyrics and video clip.
6. How does the “Love story” end for Romeo and Juliet in the song? Is this how it ends for the Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? Why does Taylor Swift end her song this way? What perspective is she writing from and why would they want the story to end this way?
Taylor ends the story differently to Shakespeare. In Taylor’s version Romeo and Juliet end up together and get married. In Shakespeare version Romeo and Juliet ending up committing suicide and there is no happy ending.

Dear Diary,
It was a great week until today! I had finally found my love of my life and well I was happy.
It all started when I was sitting in my room day dreaming about my beautiful Antwon and all of a sudden my father and mother burst into my room. My mother was crying and holding my fathers arm. My father looked outraged and I was... scared. I stood up anxiously. Father kept on repeating over and over again "WE WILL DISOWN YOU! WE WILL DISOWN YOU! IF YOU DONT STOP SEEING ANTWON!" I was shocked and can you imagine my surprise when fathers firm cold hand slapped me across the face. I fell to the ground and started to cry. How could he do this to me! I knew the tension had been building in our household but he hit me! Father stormed out of the room leaving mother and I in the room. I felt a soft cold hand on my shoulder and when I looked up I found my caring mother standing over me. She took my hand and helped me stand up. I was shaking so I quickly took a seat on my bed. Mother took my hands in hers and sat next to me on the bed. "Karla, you know that your father is very strict". I looked up from my feet to meet my mothers warm eyes.
How could a women so kind and caring be married to my monster of a father?
"Karla, father is serious when he threatens to disown you. Its all I have been hearing for the past week. You have to listen to me because as soon as father makes his mind up I cant do anyhting to stop him. OK,Karla you need to stop all contact with Antwon and his family. Do you understand honey?" Mother said softly. I looked away from her warm eyes and out into the streets. They were so busy. How did my parents expect this from me? I love Antwon! Mother softly turned my face to meet hers " Karla! I love you and I dont want to loose you! Please do it for me!"
I wanted mother out of my room so I said, "Yes mother. I understand."
She stood up gave me a gentle hug and whispered thank you into my ear. She walked out of the room swiftly. I sat on the bed for a while staring at my pillow thinking of a solution. Then I took out my journal and well... Here I am.
What am I to do? I think I should run away with Antwon! But I cant leave mother here by herself under the Taliban laws. What is it about Antwon that they don't like anyway? They don't even know him! The only excuse they have is that his father stole off my father when he first opened his first store.
I...I... have never been so uncertain in my life.
I mean the fact that father even thought of hitting me is absurd! Antwon would never touch me like that!
But I know what I have to do...I have to stay. I cant leave my mother. The only thing I have to do is keep Antwon and I a secret. ITS PEREFCT! Mother and father will never have to know about any of this. We can date in secret... Late nights... Early mornings! Wait till I tell Antwon!

Until next time
Yours truly Karla Xxx