Homework Week 5:

Friendship: Romeo’s friend, Mercutio, causes his banishment. His other friend, Friar Lawrence, causes his death. Juliet’s friend, the nurse, abandons her in her time of need. What is Shakespeare saying about friends and friendship?

Shakespeare is saying that the people whom you think you can trust are the ones that will hurt you the most. Juliet and Romeo both have people who they thought would be there for them at their most vulnerable state and yet they didn't do anything. Friar Lawrence causes Romeo’s death, as he was deceitful and knew that he was the one who made Romeo kill himself. Friar Lawrence states, “…my fault, let my old life be sacrificed, some hour before this time, unto the rigour of severest law.” (Act V, scene iii, line 267-269) These people are rather your acquaintances, not their friends. As, the one, who is there for you in your time of need, is a true friend. Shakespeare is merely saying that you need to keep your eyes open otherwise you might be the one who will get hurt. Romeo and Juliet loved each other so much that they killed themselves and all Montague’s and Capulet’s were oblivious to the whole thing, which was taking place. 

Homework Week 4:

Prejudice: The feuding families in Romeo and Juliet create tension and conflict, not unlike feuding cultures in today's society.

This is essentially a statement that requires you to compare and contrast what you see in the play with what you know of the world today. In opening and closing your discussion it may help to indicate that this type of theme/plot element is what helps modern audiences engage with the story despite its age.

The feuding families in Romeo and Juliet create tension and conflict, not unlike feuding cultures in today’s society. Romeo and Juliet is renowned for having the two enemy families the Montague’s and the Capulet’s in which a female and male fall in love with each other. Even after Romeo and Juliet find out about their background and knowing about their families feud, they continue to see and in the end marry each other. In Act I, scene i, line 66-70 Capulet says, “My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, and flourishes his blade in spite of me.” Montague enters and replies “Thou villain Capulet! – Hold me not, let me go.” These two feuding families are at wars with each other and their members are violent and always up for a fight. However, in today’s society family feuding is just as vigorous as to what it was in Romeo and Juliet. Today families can feud to the extent of violence and death. The bikie gangs, The hells angels and banditos are all fighting for dominance. However, the difference is that members then do not fall in love from rivalries like in Romeo and Juliet. Therefore, family feuds in Romeo and Juliet can be just as vigorous in today’s society. However, there is no romantic element in today’s society against rivalries. 

Homework Task Week 3:

How significant is Romeo's belief in fate and fortune when it comes to the audience's understanding of the events leading up to Act III, scene ii?

Romeo believes in fate and fortune and makes clear references to that of certain scenarios that he is placed in. Shakespeare has used positioning techniques to show that Romeo is a high believer in the role of fate clearly seen in the play. As the audience’s understanding it can be interpreted that the actions he makes, clearly come with consequences and he contributes this idea to fate and fortune. In Act I, scene v, line 106-110 Romeo states, “ I fear too early, for my mind misgives some consequences yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels, and expire the term of a despised life closed in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death.” Romeo has been talking with Mercutio and Benvolio and fears that something bad is going to develop. Shakespeare has used the technique of foreshadowing, which can contribute to the role of fate, this indicated that something bad will happen and knows that it will soon be coming. This representation is continued throughout the entirety of the play up to Act III scene ii. Shakespeare keeps linking back to love and the role that fate has on Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.

Homework for the weekend:

Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is lust. They are acting impulsively and not using their heart but their head. Romeo is physically attracted to Juliet and vise versa however; this is not real love that comes from the heart. Romeo was in love with Rosaline so much that he was depressed. He then goes to Capulet’s party and he instantaneously catches Juliet’s eyes and is love at first sight. In Act II Scene iii line 65-70 Friar Lawrence is describing Romeo’s love towards Rosaline and that it isn’t real, but lust. “Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.” Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, is set during a short amount of time. It starts with Romeo being depressed and then the next day he has proposed to Juliet. Their love cannot be true, but rather in impulsive and based on physical attraction. This in time can develop into true love, but at this point in time the audience would not believe their love. 

HWK Week 1 T4

Romeo is highly confused with regards to love and is depressed by his thoughts of what he thinks love is. Shakespeare has used Romeo’s character, which is one who is confused with what love is and what it may mean. His misrepresentations lead to depression and his metaphor with the sun is a clear example.  In Act I, Scene i, line 105-110 Romeo uses personification and imagery about the sun one of his great mysteries. Montague, Romeo’s father states “Away from the light steals home my heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself, Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out.” Montague clearly refers to that of Romeo and his depression. He will go for walks however, when the light starts to appear he immediately leaves and goes back indoors, locking himself in his room. Romeo in Act I, Scene i, line 170 talks about love and his thoughts about how he feels towards Rosaline.  Romeo states, “…Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!” Shakespeare has used oxymoron’s to represent how Romeo feels towards love and his affections. The viewer can sense chaos and it is clear that Romeo sees love as being distressing and is hard to face. Shakespeare has clearly shaped Romeo to be a character of mystery and is very deep and lost when it comes to love. 

Letter: Vietnam War (Freddie Lee Jones)

Dear Son,

It is hard to believe that I have been conscripted to the Vietnam War. The fact that I may not return home is very bloodcurdling and distressing. It is an agonizing time for me as there are people lying dead on the floor and knowing that I could be next is petrifying. My rank is utility chief, which means electrician, water air condition camp maintenance. Everyday my job is to check the two out of three camps to make sure everything is working sufficiently. My transportation to the camps is by helicopters. For support, I drink beer to calm myself down in the time of need.

It is extremely concerning when I hear that there are over hundreds of men who are fighting for our country and are lying face down on the ground, dead.  They are well respected and we make the most of out time when we get back from the days work, knowing that we survived. One night, there was a raid where our enemy found our campsite and bombs were set off. That night many of my colleagues and friends died and as a result I feel no sense of security and dying feels better rather than living in fear of my life. I wish I was able to return home and I just hope that the war ends soon, as I don't know how much longer I can cope.

I hear gunshots going off everywhere; riffles firing and then you see men bleeding out on the floor either severely injured or dead. It is hard when I see men who are only 18 or 19 and they had a whole life ahead of them and it just ended. It has a horrible atmosphere over here. It is not clean, helicopters are everywhere, it is not calm and it is not peaceful here at all. We have been taught to be on the ball and be prepared for raids and roadside bombs. It is not like the city life, I want to feel safe and not so panicked. I have developed much anxiety and have several panic attacks, as I do not feel that I was prepared to have left your mother and you, son.

I miss you all very much and we’ll talk soon, hopefully. I have to leave now for the night shift however, I hope all is well at home and tell your mother that I love her dearly and it shant be too much longer before I’m home. I pray everyday for my safety, and to return home safely to get to see all of you again in one piece. Till next time, love you and talk soon.

Yours truly, Freddie, your father xx