Book+Groups

Romeo and Juliet

1. Figure out something very special about all of the lines Romeo and Juliet first speak to each other in the party scene. (hands, kissing, prayer, those 14 lines) Why did Shakespeare use this craft and structure? (Imagery, connotation, text form, rhythm etc.)

Research themes in a concordance Research words that link themes and scenes

Look for the theme of doubleness: Value and Doubleness Another important theme is the idea of value and doubleness. Just as language is ambiguous, so are value judgments. As the Friar reminds us, "virtue itself turns vice being misapplied, /And vice sometime's by action dignified" (II.iii.17-18). Within a flower, for example lies both poison and medicine. Similarly, the deaths of Romeo and Juliet are tragic but also bring new life to Verona. The Friar's own role in the play contains this ambiguity. Although he tries to help the lovers, his actions lead to their suffering. Shakespeare's message is that nothing is purely good or evil; everything contains elements of both. Ambiguity rules.