Is Love Enough?

William Shakespeare’s plays explore life and examine the human condition. In Romeo and Juliet, we witness the unraveling of two young lovers who have sacrificed everything to be together. Unfortunately their happiness does not last. Romeo has been exiled for killing Tybalt. In addition, Juliet’s parents are determined to see their young daughter marry Paris. The wedding has been scheduled to take place in three days’time. In spite of this, Friar Laurence believes that the Capulet and Montague families will end their long lasting feud through the love that Romeo and Juliet share. Can the love of two people mend generations of family conflict? Post your opinion.

Pose a Question:

Reading literature calls for the reader to analyze, evaluate, formulate ideas,and hopefully question the larger message the author is presenting. What questions/statements do you have about Romeo and Juliet?  Post a question/statement that you, the reader, may have about Shakespeare's literary work.  

Friar Laurence

Friar Laurence plays an integral part in Romeo and Juliet. What is a friar?  What are the duties of a friar, particularly around the Elizabethan Era?

Donati and Cerchi - Inspiration for Romeo and Juliet?

Around the year 1300, a feud broke out between the Cerchi and Donati families in Florence, Italy.The cause was never recorded.The Cerchi headed the Ghibelline faction (Whites, who supported an Italian empire), and the Donati headed the Guelph faction (Blacks, who favored independent city-states). Fighting between families extended to friends and other citizens.Soon everyone was somehow entangled in this 50-year brawl, which split the city-state of Florence. Citizens would line up on opposite sides of the street.Then they would meet in the middle to fight one another in the name of Cerchi or Donati. Please research both families and post your findings. Do not forget to cite your sources.

Romeo's Character

Romeo is given a reprieve and rather than executed he is exiled.  He is directly responsible for Tybalt's death and by law should be killed.  What is his reaction when he learns of his punishment?  What is your opinion of how he acts? Should he be grateful?  Does he have the right to be so upset?  Is this a man who is simply in love with his wife, or is this the behavior of an immature individual? Use evidence from text to support your opinion.

Giffords' Stance

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/a-senate-in-the-gun-lobbys-grip.html?_r=0

Open the link and read the article.  What is your opinion regarding Giffords' stance on gun control?  What message is she giving?  Do you think her experiences make her a good or poor voice regarding gun control?  Is she using ethos, pathos, logos, all, or none of the three devices?   

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I is a very important historical figure.  She reigned over England for 44 years.  Research her life as Queen and note the important acts, milestones and influences she had on her era.  Post your findings in a biographical format. (Use MLA citation)

Honor

Maintaining one's honor was a driving force that dictated how men behaved in the Elizabethan era. Research the concept of honor and dueling. What did men find as dishonorable? What about the practice of honor and dueling. Research and post your findings.

Master and Servant

The relationship between master and servant was interesting. Research "the day in the life" of a servant in the Elizabethan era. What type of jobs did a servant do?  Were they paid well for their service?  Post your findings. 

Crime and Punishment

In Romeo and Juliet, the punishment for inciting a riot is death. The Capulet and Montague clans have been warned to not instigate any violent arguments. Please research the justice system and possible punishment during the Elizabethan period and post your findings.

Religious Customs

When Elizabeth became Queen in the November of 1558, it was widely believed that she would restore the Protestant faith in England. Mary's persecution of Protestants had done much damage to the standing of Catholicism in England, and the number of Protestants in the country was steadily increasing. Although Elizabeth had adhered to the Catholic faith during her sister's reign, she had been raised a Protestant, and was committed to that faith. Elizabeth's religious views were remarkably tolerant for the age in which she lived. Research religious customs and post your findings.

Romantic Language

While most of us cannot imagine getting married in our early teens like Romeo and Juliet, one of the most enjoyable aspects of this play is its beautiful portrayal of romance, love, and marriage.  With that as your inspiration, post an excerpt from the text, that you find exceptionally beautiful and or romantic.  In addition, interpret what your posted text means

Elizabethan Medicine

Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) brought the restoration of general charity, and there were many types of professionals and individuals to turn to for seeking medical attention. As a result of this broad spectrum of medical choices, a mixture of the theory of Humors, the Doctrine of Signatures, astrology, tradition, chemical science, and magic became the basis for popular medicine in Elizabethan England. Research what type of medicine was used to treat illness and post your findings.

Love or Infactuation?

At the beginning of the play, we find Romeo in love with love.  When he meets Juliet, however, he is convinced that he loves her, not merely the abstract emotion.  Juliet, also, believes she loves Romeo, the person.  How do we know that Juliet is indeed in love with Romeo, and not merely experiencing her first infatuation?