In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet? Essay Shakespeare introduces dramatic tension at the very beginning of the play in the prologue. This introductory verse is very important as it has to be quite powerful to keep the audience hooked and want to watch the rest of the play. The prologue is written in a Shakespearean sonnet, which is a fourteen line poem with ten syllables in each line and five of them stressed. All of this turns out to be rather effective as it gives the prologue a rhythm to it. It includes iambic pentameter which was very traditional and popular in those times as a love poem. This is also the very beginning introductory paragraph on love. Shakespeare then begins to tell us about the long feud between the Montagues and Capulets, but not why it has started. This creates an effective atmosphere as the audience cannot judge either household or who is right in the feud so they stay open-minded throughout the play. Next he introduces both households, Montagues and Capulets and then tells us about Romeo and Juliet. He talks about them as Star crossd lovers which makes us think about fate and that was how they met. The prologue talks a great deal about violence and death due to all the fighting throughout the play, and the deaths of some of the main characters including Romeo and Juliet. We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Sampson and Gregory in Act 1 Scene 1 use bawdy language and puns in their speech to create a humorous atmosphere. This way they can relax the audience and make them feel calmer and not as tense before any major fights occur. My naked weapon is out. Quarrel. I will back thee. This is one of their many humorous quotes. Shakespeare begins the play like this to give the audience a light hearted view of whats going on before the seriousness of it all takes place. The first scene begins in a jovial way ready to build up tension before the fight. Sampson and Gregory include a large amount of punctuation in their speech as we come across a comma or a full-stop around every three words. This breaks up sentences so they become rather choppy. A good example of this would be No, marry! I fear thee! By using language and punctuation like this it splits up sentences and makes a dramatic difference for when the Prince enters the scene. This is because the audience will suddenly pay more attention to what the Prince has to say as his speech and sentence structure is vastly differently to Sampsons and Gregorys. The Prince uses long flowing sentences with not as much punctuation and he is also speaking in verse. He talks to the audience from line 79-101 without the use of lots of punctuation whereas if this were Sampson or Gregory, they would have split up the sentences more often and probably added in extra unnecessary commas and bawdy language or puns somewhere. The impact that this has on the audience is that an Elizabethan audience would have understood the humour a great deal better unlike a modern day audience. For example, if the play was shown in a theatre today, probably not all the audience would understand I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them if they b are it. This is a Sampson making a rude gesture to Abram, which is not recognised nowadays. This is also due to the fact that humour has changed significantly since Shakespearean times in the 16th Century. There are many gestures made in the play, but a significant one is when Sampson bites his thumb at Abram. This builds up a substantial amount of dramatic tension as it is a key theme for fighting. During or before fighting there would also be gestures with swords acting as if they were stabbing each other. A gesture is a way of acting out the thoughts of the characters and giving the audience an insight into their mind. A different, but extremely important theme in the play is love. Love takes place throughout the entire play by all different characters. For Romeo and Juliet, they both want to be married for love alone, and they are not bothered about what their parents have to say about the matter. They are also not worried about the fact that they are on opposite sides of the feud. Juliets mother and father want her to marry Paris as they think that he is the right man for her to live with. They are not fussed that Juliet doesnt like him that much and they also do not know about Juliets secret love for Romeo. Another character involved is the Friar. He would like Romeo and Juliet to marry as he knows that would end the feud and fighting between each household, and that they do really love each other. Romeo starts off at the beginning having everlasting feelings for Rosaline, who he thinks is his soul partner for life. After meeting Juliet all of this changes and he suddenly changes his mind to hav ing undying love for her instead. Romeo becomes extremely confused over his feelings for people. He uses oxymorons to express his confusion over love Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health. Another key theme in the play is fighting. This is a rather important theme as it takes place a large number of times throughout the play including a few times in Act 1 Scene 1. For instance a fight was started when Sampson bites his thumb and Abram thinks it was bitten at him. Sampson must check if the law is to his side otherwise they would get the blame for starting the fight. Later on, after Mercutio was killed, Romeo takes revenge and kills Tybalt. This way, in their eyes both of the households are fair as they have each lost one of their own through a murder and a fight. The fighting is all due to the feud that had begun in Act 1 scene 1 and carried on throughout the rest of the play. Overall the feud plays a crucial role and in the end it drives the only heirs of each household to commit suicide. Due to Romeos and Juliets death the feud ended. It took a very long time for it to finally be finished with, but once it had, each family understood the importance that it had as they each had a vital loss which was their children. The audience still would not have known about how the feud had begun, even at the very end of the play as it was never discussed. This means that they still will not be able to judge the Montagues or Capulets. Overall Shakespeare introduced dramatic tension through many different themes beginning from Act 1 Scene 1. This was one of the most important roles of the play as each key theme was introduced and would be expanded on later in the play. If these themes were not introduced to the play as early as they were, then they might not have been as effective as they turned out to be. In my opinion, the play became incredibly tense and effective with all themes building up to the final catastrophic scene of Romeos and Juliets death.

Critical Thinking 3 Essay Example

Critical Thinking 3 Essay Example Critical Thinking 3 Essay Critical Thinking 3 Essay Essay Topic: Critical Thinking Critical Thinking Questions: Week 3 Name: Course: Date: Critical Thinking Questions: Week 3 Chapter 7 – Designing for Problem Solving1. Describe a Policy Problem that you might assign a learner, using an actual issue that’s being debated in today’s political news. How would you solve the problem? The issue of abortion has been among the most controversial issues around the world given the presence of both opposing and supporting sides of the policy. The solution to this problem would be achieved through the evaluation of the positive and negative attributes of either the opposing or the supporting sides. This is further dependent on individual opinions and beliefs towards the issue. Hence, individuals assume positions based on their beliefs and opinions. The benefits and demerits of a policy determine its acceptance or denial by the students (Reiser, Dempsey, 2002).2. Why does the author state that problem solving is the most natural, complex, and meaningful kind of learning/thinking activity? Do you agree or disagree? Explain I agree with the author’s view that â€Å"problem solving is the most natural, complex, and meaningful kind of learning/thinking activity† because of the ability of learners to use such platforms to develop their rational capacities (Cavanaugh, 2004). This is because ability to make decisions and solve problems results in growth in ability to make similar as well as complex decisions and solutions for such levels of problems. Humans possess cognitive abilities which they use in solving problems. Rationality is based on use of experiences as a means of developing solutions related to such a situation. Hence, a solution to a problem is usually developed based on the use of experiences and the skills for development of solutions gained through problem solving (Newby, 2006).Chapter 8 – Instructional Theory and Technology for a Postindustrial World1.What other characteristics of the learning process and learning environment do can you envision for a postindustrial par adigm of instruction? What are some of the barriers to making this type of instruction a reality? The post-industrial educational system is as a result of the changes or shift from an industrial society to a postindustrial society. This has resulted in new educational systems such as distance learning, home-schooling volunteering and internships. It is an indication of a shift from necessity of physical attendance into institutions (Reiser, Dempsey, 2002). The barriers to the full utilization of the post industrial system are the reluctance to change from the traditional industrial system. This is because the industrial system is considered as providing employment to a sizeable number of individuals both directly and indirectly (Cavanaugh, 2004).2. What are some ways that technology can make post-industrial instruction easier on teachers? Include examples not given in the chapter. In what ways might it make it more difficult? Technology could provide teachers with the ability to make specialized teaching to individual students such as through distance learning. It could also provide teachers and learners with an avenue for interactions on a professional level in issues related to coursework or educational activities. This provides teachers with the ability to cultivate the interests of the students towards educational activities. Hence, this has potency to improve productivity from an educational perspective (Newby, 2006). Technology could also make this more difficult. In a case where training is not done correctly, technology is rendered useless as its use becomes difficult.Chapter 9 – Motivation, Volition, and Performance 1. Compare and contrast motivation with volition. What are some ways that they can interact to support or diminish one another? Motivation is the enthusiasm or drive towards the achievement of set goals and objectives or aspirations, whereas volition is termed as the individual will towards achievement of set goals and objectives. Volition is also termed as a process which transitions form actual intention to behavior towards the achievement of specific goals and objectives. On the other hand, motivation is termed as a process, which enables the development of behavioral intentions towards achievement certain goals and objectives (Reiser, Dempsey, 2002). 2. Applying volition strategies effectively can also be related to â€Å"good work habits†. What are some strategies that one might apply to strengthen their volition? How can these strategies be promoted through an online course? Decision making process is delicate towards the achievement of certain goals and objectives. Volition could be strengthened through the establishment of precise goals and objectives for achievement (Newby, 2006). Motivation could be used to strengthen volition for achievement of set our goals and objectives. In addition, another strategy includes the use of timelines for achievement of goals and objectives to ensure that an individual is able to strengthen his or her volition.