Romeo and Juliet research paper

You will write a research paper on Romeo and Juliet. The point of a research paper is to use primary sources (in this case, Romeo and Juliet) and secondary sources (Sara Munson Deats article and the Crash Course video) to prove your point (thesis) about the play.

Introduction: Here is a possible thesis statement for your essay. You may use the basic concept of the one below but you must put it in your own words:

The tragic ending of Romeo and Juliet is a result of miscommunication. This miscommunication is evidenced in the generation gap between the young lovers and their parents, the pressure exerted by Romeo's peers, and the subsequent isolation of the two main characters in the final scene, leading to their suicides.

If you use the above idea (you would need to phrase it with your own words), you can focus on characterization, or another literary tool, such as metaphor, to prove how breakdowns in communication between the major characters contribute to the isolation of the young lovers. Your introduction should begin with a quote that introduces the theme you will focus on. For example, the above thesis discusses the generation gap. To find a quote on the generation gap, try http://www.quotationspage.com/ . The following quote found at the above website is an example of a good quote:

Chinese Proverb

Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should show how the characters' relationships manifest one element of miscommunication. An example is given below:

Possible body paragraph 1:

Primary source:

"Away from the light steals home my heavy son,

And private in his chamber pens himself,

Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out

And makes himself an artificial night:"

(I.i.136-138)

Secondary sources:

"The collapse of communication pervades the society of the play."

Author: Sara Munson Deats

From: Romeo and Juliet, New Edition, Bloom's Guides.

"This theme of "the fathers" is merely another way of expressing the theme of "the stars." For the fathers are the stars and the stars are the fathers in the sense that the fathers stand for the accumulated experience of the past, for tradition, for authority and hence for the two most potent forces that mold and so impart "destiny" to the child's life."

Author: Harold C. Goddard

From: Romeo and Juliet, Bloom's Shakespeare Through the Ages.

The sources above have been combined in the first body paragraph below:

From the first scene of the play, the lack of communication between parent and child is evident. After a brawl in the town square establishes the central conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets, Shakespeare introduces Romeo's parents, who are worried about their son. Montague says, "Away from the light steals home my heavy son, and private in his chamber pens himself, shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out and makes himself an artificial night..." (I.i.136-138) Rather than sharing his grief, Romeo isolates himself, a tendency that will later prove fatal. Romeo's actions, as interpreted by his father, suggest that Romeo does not feel comfortable opening up about his feelings to his father. Munson Deats proposes that "the collapse of communication pervades the society of the play." Part of this may be explained as Romeo's rejection of the world his father symbolizes. Goddard maintains that "the stars are the fathers in the sense that the fathers stand for the accumulated experience of the past, for tradition..." In other words, by isolating himself, Romeo is also rejecting his father's traditions, of which the family conflict is paramount. His marriage to a Capulet symbolizes the ultimate rejection of his birthright.

Now use the quotes below to write a second body paragraph:

Prove: Juliet has poor communication with her parents but an excellent rapport with her Nurse.

Cite: Lady Capulet: "This is the matter - Nurse, give leave awhile; we must talk in secret. Nurse, come back again, I have rememb'red me..." (I.iii.8-10)

Cite: "Lady Capulet's reluctance to discuss intimate matters of sex and marriage with her virgin daughter without the moral support of the Nurse suggests the strained relationship between mother and child, a relationship foiled by the warm, convivial rapport between Julietand the earthy Nurse."

Author: Sara Munson Deats

From: Romeo and Juliet, New Edition, Bloom's Guides.