Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Questions to explore following a close reading of the play


The following questions should be considered following a complete reading of Romeo and Juliet.

You need to answer the questions in as much depth as possible, making direct
reference to the play. For those who wish to practise their essay writing, you could aim to answer the questions using essay format.

1. Love is one of the primary themes in the play. Consider the following:
What different types of love does Shakespeare represent in the play?
Which characters are associated with which types of love?
How does Mercutio’s notion of love compare with the Nurse’s?
How does it compare with Romeo’s or Juliet’s?
What differences can you find between Paris and Romeo in their descriptions of love?
What kind of love do you think Shakespeare is saying is best? Explain.

2. Compare and contrast the women of the play.
What do you think Shakespeare is saying through his representations of these
specific types of women?
For example, what differences do you see between Juliet and Rosaline?
How does Juliet differ from her mother and her nurse?
What negative views of women can you find in the play?
What positive views can you find?

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