Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Juliet Essay Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story about two children whose families are feuding. It was written in about 1596 when Shakespeare was about 26 years of age. The play is set in Verona, Italy. It was set abroad because Shakespeare didnt want to offend anyone through the script, if they were to relate themselves to someone in it. Shakespeare got his inspiration from many sources. Romeo and Juliet gained its inspiration from an Arthur Brooke poem written in 1562, called The tragical history of Romeous and Juliet. At the time of writing, Shakespeare had been called a magpie because his ideas were not original. Another source of inspiration for the script could be his personal experience of young love. He was 18 when he got married to a 26 yr old woman called Anne Hathaway. Romeo and Juliet is still a popular play because of its theme. The theme of love which people can still relate to today. Also, the theme revolves around family honour and standing up for your beliefs, which people can also still relate to today. At the time that the play was set, the society was known as a patriarchal society. This meant that men were more in charge and had a higher status than women. Young girls from well-to-do families were expected to be married at a very young age, and they had very little choice in the matter. In Act 1 Scene 2, Lord Capulet is presented as a fair, liberal and generous man. In the scene he is speaking to Paris, and Paris keeps asking for Juliets hand in marriage. However, Lord Capulet disagrees, which would be unusual in those days. She hath not seen the change of 14 years, Let 2 more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride Here he is saying that she is only thirteen years old, and that if Paris comes back for her hand in marriage in two years, only then will Lord Capulet agree or consider wedding them both. Lord Capulet uses poetic language in this scene to show that he is a bit of a hero. It makes him look sophisticated and well mannered; therefore the audience has a positive view of him. Lord Capulet talks about Juliet in a very optimistic way. He says, She is the hopeful lady of my earth. This demonstrates to the audience that he is respectful and that Juliet means a lot to him. Juliet is also his only child, meaning that she is very precious to him. He also uses metaphors, for example he describes some women as earth treading stars. This is an example of natural imagery, which shows that Lord Capulet is quite light hearted. Another idea of the fact that he is light-hearted would be that he uses puns. An example of this is when he says the word marrd. At that moment he is talking about Juliets marriage, therefore the audience know straight away that he is referring to the word married. In old English, marrd meant spoilt. In the time that the play was set, Lord Capulet actions would have been quite unusual, and suggest that he values Juliets happiness aswel as his desire to see her married. Throughout the scene, Shakespeare gives us a positive view of Lord Capulet. He shows us that Lord Capulet is understanding and very considerate for a parent in that society. Fathers were usually not this liberal in those days therefore the audience find Lord Capulets actions and choices rather unusual. A lot happens between Act 1 Scene 2 and Act 3 Scene 4. Romeo and Juliet have met and fallen in love. They have secretly married. The only people who know this are the Friar and the nurse. Romeo kills Tybalt because Tybalt killed Romeos best friend Mercutio. Romeo has been banished to Mantua. During Act 3 Scene 4, Paris and Lord Capulet meet up again to discuss the marriage of Paris and Juliet. Lord Capulet re-assures Paris that Juliet will get married to Paris. Lord Capulet has seems to have changed his mind about the marriage. Before, in Act 1 Scene 2, he was trying to put Paris off, whereas now he wants the wedding to take place. The reason I think he has changed his mind is because Tybalt has died and he is now thinking about his own death. If Juliet was to marry Paris, she would have the security and protection that she needs. The Capulets have lost a dear member of their family therefore Lord Capulet doesnt feel as strong or confident anymore. He is grief-stricken and wants some level of protection for Juliet. I think that Lord Capulet is not being reasonable because one minute he intends to let Juliet choose who she marries, whereas now he is planning her wedding without even informing her. Lord Capulet is not confident about Juliet agreeing to the marriage. .. Of my childs love: I think she will be ruled In all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not. Here Lord Capulet is saying that he thinks that Juliet will agree. But then he re-assures himself that she will definitely agree. This is also a use of dramatic irony because the audience knows that Juliet has already disobeyed her father and secretly got married to Romeo. In this scene, Lord Capulet speaks in a hesitant and jerky manner. We know this because he makes a lot of references to time. He also uses very short sentences which shows his mind is breaking down too because he is also no longer using poetic language. In Act 3 Scene 5, Romeo has spent the night with Juliet and shortly after, she finds out shes going to be married to Paris. Juliet is shocked and upset, and refuses to agree. However, when Lord Capulet enters he believes that Juliet is upset because of Tybalts death. We know this because he compares her tears to a sea of grief. For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, Do ebb and flow with tears This extended metaphor suggests that Lord Capulet is back in control because he uses poetic language. When Lord Capulet enters Juliets room he is back in control. He speaks in iambic pentameter. This gives his speeches rhythm, control and pace. However, this rhythm will break down later in the scene. He seems to be in a good mood and tries to comfort her because he thinks she is upset because of Tybalts death. Juliet replies to her father in a respectful way. She speaks her mind but at the same time stays respectful. She tries her best to stand up for herself but at the same time knows her place as his daughter. Proud can I never be of what I hate, but thankful even for hate, that is meant love. This shows that she tries to explain her decision without revealing too much. However Lord Capulet dramatically changes and starts using some extremely abusive terms. He is now describing Juliet as a mistress minion and a baggage. This means that she is worthless and slave-like. The reason Lord Capulet responds like this is because he is astounded that Juliet is refusing to marry Paris. He enters the scene in a confident and happy mood, thinking that once he tells her about the marriage she will be happy. However this backfires because he finds out she is refusing and this makes him angry. He goes from being a poetic hero to someone who is quite insulting. He also tells Juliet he will drag her to the wedding even if she isnt ready. He says, or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither, out, you green-sickness carrion! He describes her as a green-sickness carrion which means she is a diseased, rotting piece of animal meat. In the earlier scenes he was using a lot of positive natural imagery, whereas now his speech has broken down and he is insulting his only child in a very bad way. His description of Juliet shows that he is very angry at her he has turned into a typical patriarchal father. In the scene, Lord Capulet has control over Juliets life because he is deciding her future for her. Juliet is different to other girls of her time because at first she did have the choice of marrying whoever she wanted to. Also, she is disobeying her fathers wishes, which would have been unusual because girls in those days didnt tend to argue with their parents decisions, and agreed with their wishes. In conclusion, Lord Capulet language, style and tone changes dramatically throughout the 3 scenes. The overall impression that we get of Lord Capulet is that he totally unfair. The fact that he is being considerate to her at the start makes his change more dramatic and shocking. Lord Capulet does want to see Juliet happy, but in the later scenes (act 3 scene 5), he is more demanding than he was before. In the time the play was set, the society was a patriarchal society. This could explain why Lord Capulet is forcing Juliet to get married. He is starting to think along the same lines as every other patriarchal father, whereas before he was putting his daughters feelings first. Juliet is shocked at her fathers behavior. She wasnt expecting him to force her to get married. This leads to Juliet going to see Friar Lawrence about the situation because she is already married to Romeo, and if she was to marry Paris, she would be committing bigamy. If Lord Capulet was to have been a bit more understanding then Juliet may have not gone to see the Friar. Shakespeare included these scenes into his play for many reasons. The scenes move the plot quickly to its tragic end. Juliet doesnt get a chance to make a choice about her life. The scenes make the audience empathise and sympathise with Juliet, and also raise dramatic tension. Lord Capulets speech changes dramatically throughout the scenes aswel. He goes from being a poetic hero, and talking in an elequent way.. to someone who is insulting and doesnt care about what he says.

President Bill Clintons Impeachment :: William Jefferson Clinton Essays

Clinton's Impeachment A fake. A liar. A cheat. Is this what should be said about the President? He has committed perjury, obstructed justice, and continues to lie to America about his actions. Bill Clinton is an embarrassment to America and should be impeached. How can his actions be explained to the children? Can parents tell their children that the leader of the free world is a liar, a cheat, and a pervert? Impeachment out of office or resignation would be the best for the country. The President has been dodging everything that has been thrown at him, it is about time he is pinned with something and this affair is the best opportunity. Taking him out of office is necessary and this can not be a better time for the impeachment to take place. Through the history of America there have been many impeachments but never a full impeachment for a president. The closest ever was Andrew Jackson who was impeached by the house but not by the senate (O,Brien 973). Clinton went through the same that he did being impeached by the house but not the senate. Andrew Jackson was impeached for high crimes against the United States. Clinton has committed several high crimes yet he is not going to be impeached. He has been given to many chances and forgiven too many times. A person can only be given so many chances before a stop has to be put on it. This is the best time to stop the lying and cheating going on in the White House. The point that he is the President of the United States should not give the President any leeway whatsoever. The President has engaged in conduct that is against his constitutional duty to execute the laws (Starr). The President committed the crimes and just like any other common criminal he should have to pay for what he has done. If a doctor or a teacher participated in sexual activities with a patient or student would he or she not be forced to resign or be fired? How is the President's case different from this except for the fact that he is the President and he has also committed other crimes besides having sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky? All men are created equal isn't that what the constitution says, why is the Presidents case so different.

What did it mean for a man in Ancient Greece to lead a good life Essay

In Ancient Greece, leading a good life is rather more complex than it is in today’s society. It is evidenced in Plato’s four dialogs in The Trial and Death of Socrates. Through the dialogues of Socrates we can learn that in Ancient Greece education, religion, society in general, law and values played a major role on a person’s way of living a good life. In the dialogues of The Trial and Death of Socrates, society condemned those such as Socrates for changing or questioning their way of life. A person in Ancient Greece must be a pious man who conforms to the laws and values of the society. We can learn how a man should lead a good life in Ancient Greece through the dialogues of Socrates in his trial. In order for a man to lead a good life, he must have a good education. In ancient Greek society it is stated that a man shouldn’t think about having kids if he doesn’t plan on giving a good education to them (Plato 45). This signifies that education is the first thing in a man’s life that will make him a good person. In the dialogues of Crito, we can see that music and gymnastics played a major role in education because Socrates’s father trained him in those fields (Plato 51). Education also plays a major role in a man’s life because it not only helps in this life but also the after life. According to Socrates, education and nurture are the only things that you can take with you to the underworld (Plato 106). Your knowledge and education will help you in your next life not your material wealth. Asides from having a good education, a man in Ancient Greece should value and ignore certain actions. As I have stated earlier a man should value education, but asides from that he must be a pious person. We can see in the dialogues between Euthyphro and Socrates that piety should be valued a lot. In other words a man should value his religion and the gods. Both Socrates and Euthyphro come up with their meaning of piety. Being a pious person according to Socrates and Euthyphro is doing things that is dear to the gods and is agreeable to them. Also making offerings to the gods and looking after them (Plato 6-13). Another thing that a man must value is reputation.  We can see example of how Socrates maintains his reputation by refusing to flee Athens because it would tarnish his family name. In the same example Socrates shows us that Athenian Citizenship is valued a lot because he doesn’t escape prison since it would mean his family would lose their citizenship (Plato 52-54). With the events that occurred to Socrates, it shows us that one should ignore questioning or changing the law or religion. The whole reason Socrates is being put to trial because he was charged with not recognizing the gods and inventing new deities and corrupting the youth (Plato 2,5). During the time of Socrates, religion and law should be respected and followed. In Ancient Greece, men who hold a citizenship of a city-state such as Athens must conform to all their laws and religion. Religion at that time was very important and valued. If anyone tried to change it or question it would be doomed to death. This what happened to Socrates because not only did he question the God but he was also corrupting the younger generation according to the courts (Plato 2 and 4). For a man in Ancient Greece he should be a pious person. As I mention earlier one must submit to the gods and make offering to them. From Socrates’s point of view, a person should always question society. Socrates always questions people because he thin that by doing so he can make the society better. He wants to make people think critically (Plato 31). Also question society can lead to wisdom. In Socrates case, he question different authorities outside of their knowledge because they claim to know every thing and admits to not knowing everything (Plato 23). Asides from religion and society a man must conform to the laws of the city-state. The laws of Athens for example shape the life a person living in it. The laws of Athens for example gave Socrates education, citizenship and the option for him to go in exile (Plato 50-52). Socrates signifies that he accepts the laws of Athens because he defends it and ultimately stays in Athens when he had the chance for exile (Plato 51-53). Since Socrates is a well-known figure in his society we can accept that these are the norms of society. According to Socrates, a man should deal with death with ease. He views death as a gateway to join other souls. In his view, he will get to join should that died before such as Homer Ajax and gets to question them to find out who is the wisest (Plato 40). Socrates  also states that suicide is a bad action. The life and souls belongs to the Gods, by committing suicide you can’t summon yourself to the Gods (Plato 59). Socrates suggests that the soul joins the Gods after death. He believes that you can get a better understand of the worl d (Plato 69). In conclusion, for a man to lead a good life in Ancient Greece he must be pious, well educated, and follow the laws of the society. Since Socrates is viewed as a great philosopher today we can use his actions and views in the Trail and Death of Socrates as an example of how a person should lead his life in Ancient Greece. Through his understandings we learned that education plays a major part in the beginning of a mans life. And also the laws and religion must be adhered to for a man to lead a good life.

The Treatment And Conditioning Of Slaves During The...

Brandon Rodriguez Dr. Roark Atkinson Intro to US History I 13 November 2014 Paper Assignment II: An Essay on Frederick Douglass The treatment and conditioning of slaves in the antebellum south was one of the most inhumane and merciless accounts in human history. Slaves were auctioned, sold and bought as if they were nothing more than livestock. They were fed with monthly rations—eight pounds of pork or fish. They were given one pair of shoes, two shirts, two trousers, and one jacket intended to last for an entire year. Seldom it was to ever hear of a slave whose shoulders and back weren’t mutilated by a cow skin, a popular form of punishment handed out to slaves accused of committing even the slightest misdemeanor. The life of a slave was not treated as a human life at all. The life of a slave was seen as so insignificant, that the murder of one rarely led to any ramifications, legal or otherwise. The worse that was to be expected from the murder of a slave was the expenses; either from the loss of labor, or the debt yet to be paid off from the purchase of the slave. Though, many times slave-o wners would be expunged of even that consequence, for if it was the government that carried out the killing of a slave, they would reimburse the respective slave’s master. And though the international slave trade was outlawed in 1807, slaves were still being produced at a stable rate either through rape, or the use of â€Å"breeder† slaves. However, an account, whatever or whosever it may