Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Romeo and Juliet Discussion

Hello everyone,

Because of the marked intrest in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it has been decided to have an open discussion about it. In order to allow our followers time to read it, our discussion will begin on Saturday, March 6th. The time- TBA. Maybe we won't restrict it to a specific time, because of possible time differences? While you read, here are some questions to think about:

1. What effect does the accelerated time scheme have on the play’s development? Is it plausible that a love story of this magnitude could take place so quickly? Does the play seem to take place over as little time as it actually occupies?

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Romeo and Juliet. How do they develop throughout the play? What makes them fall in love with one another?

3. Compare and contrast the characters of Tybalt and Mercutio. Why does Mercutio hate Tybalt?

4. Apart from clashing with Tybalt, what role does Mercutio play in the story? Is he merely a colorful supporting character and brilliant source of comic relief, or does he serve a more serious purpose?

5. How does Shakespeare treat death in Romeo and Juliet? Frame your answer in terms of legal, moral, familial, and personal issues. Bearing these issues in mind, compare the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Mercutio, and Mercutio and Tybalt.

So, of course these don't have to be answered by each person individually, but it should hopefully give a direction to our discussion. If you'd like, here is a quiz about Romeo and Juliet that I found. It's a good way to see how much you know!

SparkNotes: Romeo and Juliet: Quiz

Anyway, talk to you all on the 6th!

~DC Team

15 comments:

  1. Some of those questions are hard! They remind me of essay questions on an English test!

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  2. The DC board would appreciate it if you'd let us know if you will be participating in the discussion. If enough people want to change the date, perhaps we can arrange for that. We want as many people as possible to participate! Hopefully we will get a good discussion rolling.

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  3. C'mon people!! We want this to happen! Pweeaase comment.

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  4. Heyyy guys :) I don't know if I will be able to participate, but I will try really hard! It seems like it will be interesting.

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  5. I will definatly read you peoples discussion, but might not comment depending on if I get the book read or not.

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  6. Sweet. Haven't heard from you in a while, Dodge.

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  7. This sounds like an interesting idea! I will try to join the discussion, but I am afraid that there is not too much time but I do have tomorrow off from my studies with my tutor, so I shall try and read it!

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  8. Hello, Maid Marian! I absolutely love the Robin Hood series your profile picture is from! I have seen it all the way through the 3rd season. I really like Lucy Griffiths as Marian.

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  9. I will participate in the discussion just as long as I get the book read.
    ~Rosie Cotton

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  10. That will be fine. I can't guarantee an exact time, but I'll comment sometime. Sorry that I haven't been on in a while. Crazy school week last week, and my family went to Tahoe for the weekend. So, yeah, I'm back in action now.

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  11. I think everyone will be fine because the date of the 6th won't restrict the discussion to that day only. It will just start on that day. So, read up!

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  12. I dont think that i will be able to join the discusion because school is pretty intense right now but have fun yawl :) I love the robin hood series though i am only on the first episode of the second season .

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  13. Ok! But if enough people are close to getting it done, but not quite by that date, maybe we can postpone a week or two. We'll see.

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  14. Yes Lady A I had to take a brake, but I will try to keep up to date.

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