Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

emiliew49
emiliew49
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What events predict the future tragedy in Romeo and Juliet?

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Posted by emiliew49 on Tuesday October 21, 2008 at 9:54 AM and tagged with events, plot, romeo and juliet, tragedy.

Answers:

  1. jclarketown
    jclarketown

    This is an extensive question, as you are asking for events, characters, and themes.
    The ending is first laid out for the audience in the prologue, "a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their lives." Why did Shakespeare choose to give away the ending? Consider how many movies and books use this device to keep the audience engaged.
    Romeo and Juliet's "misadventured and piteous overthrows," also mentioned in the prologue is the subject of the rest of your question.

    Here are some quotes and events that should set you on your way:
    Romeo: "O me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love..." (Act I:i)
    Romeo knows about the feud with the Capulets, and realizes that it isn't so much hate between the Capulets and Montagues, but each family's love for their own that cause them to take up arms in defense and honor.

    Look at Romeo's last speech in Act 1:iv where he predicts future tragedy ("I fear too early...some consequence left hanging in the stars").
    In Act 1:v, Romeo: "Is she a Capulet? O dear account! my life is my foe's debt."
    After Romeo and Juliet secretly marry, Tybalt wants to fight, but Romeo will not as they are now members of the same household. When Mercutio fights instead and is fatally stabbed, he curses both houses (Act 3:i). The events for the tragedy are set in motion when Romeo kills Tybalt.

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    Posted by jclarketown on Friday October 24, 2008 at 2:16 PM