English and Juliet Spring Term Assessment For the assessment, you ll need to revise: Year 9 Revision Guide The plot of and Juliet The features of a tragedy/tragic hero The characters of the play The context of when the play was written and set Complete all the questions and tasks in green.
Plot and Juliet is a play written by Shakespeare. It is a tragic love story where the two main characters, and Juliet, are supposed to be sworn enemies but fall in love. Due to their families' ongoing conflict, they cannot be together, so they kill themselves because they cannot cope with being separated from one another. and Juliet is a Shakespearean tragedy. Use the images on the left to answer these questions in full sentences: Which 2 events occur in the exposition of the play? 1. 2. Which 3 events occur in the rising tension of the play? 1. 2. 3. What events makes up the catastrophe of the play? 1. How is the play finally resolved? 1. 1. Two wealthy families, the Montagues and the Capulets, have another brawl in the city of Verona. The Prince and the townspeople cannot cope with the constant fighting so the Prince declares that the next person to break the peace will be killed. 2. Montague and his friends gatecrash a Capulet party and meets Juliet Capulet. He falls in love with her instantly. They are shocked to discover they are sworn enemies due to their feuding families. Friar Laurence marries and Juliet. 3. goes to celebrate his marriage with his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, but gets into a fight with Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. Tybalt kills Mercutio and avenges his death by killing Tybalt. 4. The Prince banishes because he killed Tybalt. Both and Juliet are heartbroken. 5. Capulet, Juliet's father, decides she should marry Paris. Juliet refuses and goes to Friar Laurence where they come up with a plan for and Juliet to be together. 6. Juliet fakes her death and lies in a tomb waiting for to come so they can run away together. doesn't receive the message about the plan, so thinks Juliet has actually died. He goes to Verona and sees Juliet in her tomb, 'dead'. 7. drinks poison so he can be with Juliet in death. She wakes up to discover is dead. Juliet kills herself with his dagger. 8. The Capulet and Montague families vow never to argue again.
Plot Summary An ancient grudge The play opens with a prologue that highlights to the audience the conflict between the two families: the Montagues and the Capulets. It is described to be an 'ancient grudge'. The families' servants have an argument, which quickly turns into something more violent and draws the families into the conflict. 's cousin, Benvolio, and Juliet's cousin, the fiery Tybalt, get involved in the fray. The heads of the families, Capulet and Montague, also get involved but are quickly stopped when Prince Escalus arrives and puts a stop to the brawling. He declares that anybody fighting on the streets of Verona will be killed. He hopes to put a stop to the fighting and have peace in his city once again. meets Juliet Mercutio, 's best friend, decides it would be a good idea to gatecrash a Capulet party., Mercutio and Benvolio ('s cousin) all go and have a good time. Whilst dancing, meets Juliet and is struck by her beauty. He speaks with her and they kiss, declaring their love for one another. As he leaves, asks Juliet's nurse for Juliet's name. The nurse tells him and he is shocked to discover they are sworn enemies and that she is the daughter of Capulet. Juliet feels the same way about when she discovers his real identity. sneaks into the Capulet mansion where he meets Juliet and they decide to get married. The next day, Friar Laurence marries and Juliet in secret. He secretly hopes that it will end the conflict. Tybalt kills Mercutio meets with Mercutio and Benvolio to tell them about his marriage to Juliet. However, he is soon stopped when he sees Tybalt Capulet there arguing with Mercutio. Tybalt challenges to fight, but declines, saying that he loves Tybalt like family. Tybalt is confused and angry at his response and repeats his demand. When declines again, Mercutio loses his temper and cannot believe will not fight like a man. He takes 's place and Tybalt and Mercutio fight. tries to stop the fighting. Tybalt, trying to injure, accidentally stabs Mercutio. Mercutio dies a slow, painful death. He curses the Montague and Capulet houses, blaming them for his death. kills Tybalt and is banished, angered by Mercutio's death, goes searching for Tybalt. They find each other and fight. The fight ends when kills Tybalt. Realising what he has done, he flees. The Prince arrives on the scene and declares that must be banished and must leave Verona immediately. Juliet finds out the news of her cousin's death and 's banishment and cannot cope with the sadness. She is heartbroken and confused. Before leaves Verona forever, he and Juliet spend the night together and consummate their marriage. leaves in the morning and they are both heartbroken. Juliet refuses to marry Paris Capulet decides Juliet should marry Paris, as this will make her feel better following her cousin's death. He relays this news to his daughter and she is furious. Juliet defies her father and tells him she won't marry Paris and she will not be at the church as arranged. He is horrified with her response and tells her she must be married to Paris or else he will disown her forever. Juliet flees to Friar Laurence where she tells him this news. Friar Laurence and Juliet come up with a plan where she will fake her own death.
Juliet fakes her death Juliet drinks a sleeping potion the night before her marriage to Paris. In the morning, she does not wake and she is pronounced dead. They take her to the Capulet tomb where she will wait for. Friar Laurence writes a letter to informing him of their plan, however, the letter doesn't get delivered to and he is told that Juliet is dead. takes poison Distraught, buys some deadly poison and heads to the Capulet vault. On seeing Juliet, he drinks the poison so he can be with her in heaven. Juliet finally awakens to see there with her - however, she quickly realises he has drunk poison. She kisses his lips to try and taste the poison herself, but it doesn't work. So, instead, she kills herself with 's dagger. Capulet and Montague repent Realising that their two children have died because of their conflict, Capulet and Montague are mortified and declare they will honour their children's names for ever more. They vow never to argue again. The features of a Tragedy Complete this table with quotations form the play. 1: Exposition Montagues and Capulets are at war Lord Capulet has promised his daughter to Paris and Juliet fall in love 2: Development/ Rising Tension Obstacle A: and Juliet are from feuding families Obstacle B: Juliet has already been promised to another man 3: Catastrophe The story ends in the death of the main character The tragic plot The Tragic Hero The characters are high-status they are important people Juliet The tragic hero acts: they try to do things. They don t just let things happen to them Juliet Whatever they try to do, it always puts them in a worse situation Juliet They are exceptional there is something that makes them special Juliet
Characters Montague is a young, passionate and headstrong teenager who thinks and acts with his emotions. When the audience first meets, he declares that he is in love with Rosaline. He states that he is heartbroken because Rosaline doesn't love him back. However, his emotions are changeable, as that very night, meets Juliet and falls in love with her instantly. He vows to marry her and they marry the next day, unbeknown to their feuding families. As the play progresses, illustrates how passionate he is by avenging his best friend Mercutio's, death. He kills Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, and is forced to leave the city of Verona. thinks he cannot live without Juliet and is devastated when he hears of Juliet's 'death'. Here, he takes his own life so he can be with his one true love in heaven. What makes a tragic hero? What is s hamartia (tragic flaw)? Write 9 PEE paragraphs about using each row of the table below: Point is moody is sad and lonely fears for the future is not sincere at first falls in love instantly will do anything for her tries to do the right thing can be immature will not listen to reason is passionate about Juliet Evidence His family thinks is behaving strangely His father has seen him with 'tears', and stays in his bedroom on his own Before the ball, he talks about something 'hanging in the stars' (as if he realises fate will destroy his future) He forgets all about Rosaline as soon as he meets Juliet He asks 'Did my heart love till now?' when he sees Juliet. He says: 'Call me but love, and I'll be new baptised.' He refuses to fight Tybalt, even if he seems a coward Even the Nurse tells him to stand up and 'be a man' He says, 'I defy you, stars!', as if he does not care what will happen He kills himself in order to be with her
Juliet Juliet is 13 and the daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet. Her character at first appears to be quiet, obedient and innocent. She then meets and shows she is not as shy as we think. She speaks as much as him and in the same style, and they kiss twice. She then tells the audience of her love for, knowing his family is hated by hers. She later announces her love for him again, not knowing he can hear. Her thoughts are complex, showing her intelligence, and that her love of is sincere. When she realises he is there, her thoughts are immediately for his safety. She asks him to say he loves her, yet seems very practical about it, not wanting any proof - just his word. Juliet shows her independence by proposing marriage. She also says she will follow 'throughout the world'. Juliet does not doubt her husband, even when she learns he has killed her cousin. She is prepared to commit suicide for him, then bravely carries out the Friar's plan, meaning she disobeys her parents and takes a huge risk. Finally, she commits suicide when she discovers dead beside her. What makes Juliet a tragic hero? What is Juliet s hamartia (tragic flaw)? Write 9 PEE paragraphs about Juliet using each row of the table below: Point Evidence Juliet is quiet She says very little in Act 1, Scene 3 Juliet is innocent Juliet is not shy Juliet speaks directly Juliet is in love Juliet commits herself to Juliet believes in Juliet disobeys her mother Juliet is brave We are told she is not quite 14 several times She lets kiss her at their first meeting She tells he kisses 'by th'book' (that he kisses well or without any real feeling) She says is her 'only love' She says: 'All my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay' She asks: 'Shall I speak ill of my husband?' and later gives her 'ring to my true knight' She tells her 'I will not marry', and that she will marry rather than Paris She says 'Tell me not of fear', and is quick to commit suicide, saying 'I'll be brief'
How do each of these characters contribute to the tragic end of the play? Answer in full sentences. The Nurse Friar Lawrence Benvolio The Nurse is like a mother to Juliet. She takes a great risk in helping her, and seems completely devoted to her. She makes fun of her, too, and is rude - but means only the best for Juliet. The Nurse talks a lot, often in a rambling way, but appears to be genuinely nice and caring. However, she advises Juliet to marry Paris and does not seem to appreciate how much Juliet loves. The Friar is like a father to. He often offers advice and clearly knows very well. He also seems to be wise, and is trusted by everyone. He knows a lot and appears to be practical. However, he takes a huge risk when he secretly marries and Juliet. His plan to save her does not work either. And his actions lead to the deaths of the couple. Benvolio is another of 's friends, and makes a good contrast to both Mercutio and Tybalt. His name can be understood as 'good wishes', and he is determined to do all he can to stop the fights between the two families. Lord Capulet Capulet, Juliet's father, is ready to fight Montague, but then appears to be friendly and welcoming, inviting people to his party. And he stops Tybalt from fighting in his house. However, Capulet is a very traditional father. He arranges Juliet's marriage to Paris and is furious when she does not obey him. Mercutio Tybalt Mercutio is one of 's best friends who loves entertaining people and making fun of them. He plays around with language and is full of imagination in his speeches. He is also very coarse, linking many things with sex, and seems keen to pick a fight with almost anyone he meets. Mercutio, whose loyalty to his best friend, combined with his confrontational attitude, results in his death. Tybalt is Juliet s cousin. Tybalt is also a very aggressive character. He only seems interested in fighting 's family, and everything he says is full of anger and hatred. Lady Capulet Lady Capulet is not very close to her daughter, Juliet. She has little to do with her, and will not take Juliet's side against her husband. She would have married Lord Capulet when she was about Juliet s age and would have had Juliet at a young age too..
Language Anthisesis Opposites are used frequently in and Juliet. They highlight the conflicts in the story. So we can find lots of references to light and darkness, or love and hatred. The technical term for this is antithesis, when words are deliberately chosen to contrast with one another. For instance, as the day breaks after her marriage, Juliet realises must leave her and says 'More light and light, more dark and dark our woes!' Just compare that with: 'It's morning,, and I'm worried about things.' Hopefully you will see that Shakespeare's version has a far stronger effect, even 400 years after he wrote it. Oxymoron An Oxymoron is when words with opposing meanings are put together, like 'sweet sorrow', 'deafening silence', 'alone together' and 'bitter sweet'. Sometimes it might not be clear what a character means, for instance, when talks of 'sick health'. However, using a technique like this shows the audience just how confused is at this point in the play. Pun Another technique Shakespeare uses is the pun. A lot of jokes are puns - a play on words using words that sound similar but have different meanings. So when Mercutio is dying he says that tomorrow he will be a 'grave man' - 'grave' as in 'serious', but also as in 'dead and buried'. Simile A simile is when a direct comparison is made using 'as' or 'like' - so love moves 'as schoolboys from their books'. This comparison allows us our own ideas about being in love. Why does say that he moves to Juliet as a schoolboy leaves his books? Do schoolboys enjoy studying? Are they grateful when they have finished? Are they quick to stop and put their books down? That should help us to understand just how powerful love can be. Metaphors A metaphor is when one thing is described in terms of something else. So Juliet becomes 'the sun', and then 'an angel', for. Think about the qualities of the Sun: it provides warmth, lightness and life to everything on Earth. Then think about just how important Juliet is to. Now think about the qualities of an angel - how does this help us to see Juliet through 's eyes? Personification Personification is where something is described as if it is human. So 'April' can be well-dressed and 'tread' on other things, or Death can be ready to marry Juliet. How does this foreshadow her tragic end? Verse structure Another way of looking at the language of and Juliet is to examine the lines. Many of them are written in blank verse, so they have ten syllables which are organised in five pairs. The first syllable is weak, the second stronger. If we look at a typical line, we traditionally show the weak or unstressed syllable with an 'x' above it, and the stressed syllable with a '/' above it. In this example, the word 'never' is split in two, because it has two syllables. x / x / x / x / x / He jests at scars that nev - er felt a wound Reading it like this, we can hear an obvious beat. We can also see that the key words tend to be stronger. Just by hearing these, we can still make some sense of the line (jests - scars - nev - felt - wound). If we only have the unstressed syllables, there is very little we can understand (he - at - that - er - a). Using this technique, you can sometimes see what Shakespeare might be trying to emphasise. It also provides a structure to the play - it holds things together. We can even anticipate where an actor will finish speaking.
It also means that when the pattern changes there might be a reason for this. For instance, when Mercutio is dying, he does not use blank verse making him seem sincerer now, as if he is speaking from the heart. In the extract you will receive for your assessment, consider if there is a break from blank verse and why Shakespeare might have done this? How to work language into your PEE answer: If your question was: 'How does Juliet change during the course of and Juliet?' You could write: When we see Juliet in Act 2, Scene 2, it is clear she is totally in love with. She declares it not knowing he is there, and, despite all the obstacles in their path, only asks him to pronounce his love for her 'faithfully', calling him 'gentle '. Her trust is complete, just as it is later in the scene when she promises she will put all her 'fortunes' at his feet and follow him' throughout the world'. Juliet describes her love using conventional similes, so her bounty is 'as boundless as the sea' and her love 'as deep' (as the sea). However, Juliet is also capable of quite astonishing language. The oxymoron of 'sweet sorrow' illustrates perfectly her passion and devotion to. This is a very different Juliet to the one we meet with her mother and the Nurse back in Act 1 Scene 3. Women in a patriarchal society Context (Answer these questions in full sentences) Women were often dependent on the men to support them with everything; women had no rights legally they could not own property or money! Why was it important for Juliet s family for her to marry Paris? Family Women s lives often consisted of arranged (by their parents) and loveless marriages. How does Juliet break from this tradition? If a woman s father made a request, the woman was expected to obey it without question. Does Juliet obey her father without question? Children were considered as property of the father (like an object to be given). How is Juliet affected by this patriarchal society? Family honour was strongly believed in; any damage against it was considered very bad and unusual. How strong must and Juliet s love be then to go against their family? It was unthinkable for a teenager to go against the wishes of their family. How would an Elizabethan audience react to and Juliet s actions? Verona was a small town and so every family knew one another; news travelled fast, and if you did something wrong, your family would find out for sure.. Religion In high society (high status), children were often raised by a nurse and therefore did not have a strong relationship with their parents. Which character does this apply to in and Juliet? Many Shakespeare plays (like The Tempest) show conflict between parents and their children. Which character experiences conflict with their parent? Religion was extremely important and people believed strongly in God. Religious language therefore was used as a sign of holiness and a connection with God. What examples can you find from Act 1 Scene 5? God was on everyone s minds; it was believed that if you sinned, you would go to Hell. Are and Juliet sinning? Suicide was considered to be a mortal sin which means you would go to Hell. How strong must and Juliet s love be then to commit suicide?