Romeo & Juliet

The Globe Production

Part 1

Part 2

Exam Structure

A discussion of context is only required when responding to the second question. You cannot use quotations from the extract from this question either as it as about the rest of the play.

Section A

For the first question, you will be given a short extract taken from anywhere in the play and asked to analyse how something is presented within the extract. For example:

Explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Romeo in this extract. 

The important thing to remember for this question, is that you are simply being asked to complete a language and structure analysis of the extract. This is exactly the same as section A for A Christmas Carol, as well as question 3 on both English Language papers. Refer to the home page to see a breakdown of all of the exam questions in order to see that all 4 of these questions are marked in almost an identical way.

An excellent way to ensure that you are analysing to a high standard would be to use the PETER paragraph structure.

POINT > EVIDENCE > TECHNIQUE > EXPLANATION > READER

Here is an example paragraph based on the above question (explore how Shakespeare presents the character of Romeo in this extract). For this example answer, we will imagine that the extract was taken from Act 1, Scene 1. 

In the extract, Shakespeare presents Romeo as a conflicted character. Whilst considering the complexities of love, Romeo laments that love is like a "feather of lead". The use of this oxymoron suggests that Romeo's feeling towards Rosaline are not making him as happy as he feels as though they should. "Feather" suggests that his love for her should uplift him and allow him to soar, yet it is made of "lead" and so is weighing him down like a burden. As both of these contradictory images are placed together, it suggests that Romeo does not fully understand his own feelings. This establishes Romeo immediately as a sympathetic character for the audience as equally his love is contrasted again the violence that has just occurred on the streets. Many audience members will be likely able to empathise with his situation of young, unrequited love.

Section B

For this question, you are allow to talk about all other moments within the play that were not included in the extract. The extract must not be referred to. This question will ask you you explore the importance and wider significance of a given theme, that is present in the extract, in the rest of the play. For example:

In this extract, Romeo suffers when he hears the shocking news about Juliet.

 Explain the importance of suffering elsewhere in the play.

 In your answer, you must consider:

• how suffering is shown

• the effects suffering has within the play.

 You must refer to the context of the play in your answer.

This is not a language and structure question and therefore PETER paragraphs do not need to be used. Whilst you are expected to use quotations, there is no expectation to continually and explicitly analyse techniques used by Shakespeare. As stated in the question, you must discuss context for this question. 

Here is a full response based on the above question (explain the importance of suffering elsewhere in the play). This response was awarded full marks in the June 2023 exam:

Suffering is portrayed throughout the play and is particularly seen in the Capulet family. At the start of the play, Lord Capulet is portrayed as a loving father to his only daughter, who he sees as a beautiful "flower". Paris attempts to break this family dynamic that Capulet is so fond of, especially as "the earth" had only "blessed" him with one child, by asking for her hand in marriage, explaining that "younger than she are happy mothers made". To a Shakespearean audience, Capulet would be viewed as sentimental and caring as he believes that they should wait for "two more summers" to "wither in their pride" as Juliet is not even "fourteen", which would be a normal and understandable age to marry in the Elizabethan times. Capulet suffers here as he must decide whether to sacrifice his love for Juliet, who he believes is not yet "ripe" for the picking and one of the most "worthy" men in Verona of "noble" lineage for his daughter to marry. Ultimately, he chooses that Paris should try to "woo" her, deciding to suffer and sacrifice his only daughter to her best possible suitor. Perhaps here, Shakespeare is criticising the young age that children were often married at, especially since Paris was far older than she. 

His suffering is exaggerated when she wishes not to be married and "kills" herself for it. Capulet grieved his daughter's death, speaking depressively and saying that her "death" is his "heir". He refers to her as "flower" again, making the audience feel more emotional and see his sufferings as he looks back to fonder times. The audience would understand too that he would feel this to be a second loss, as he will no longer have Paris as his son-in-law and Juliet will never have experienced, what Capulet believes to be, a favourable marriage.

Suffering is at the root of this play, however the tragedy of the feud is most responsible for this great suffering. This play begins with the prologue, introducing a pair of "star-crossed lovers" who are both are fated to die due to "two households'" "ancient grudge". The audience, despite having been told the outcome of the play, still feel that Romeo and Juliet's deaths, along with many other futile deaths, are shocking and the audience themselves suffer due to this tragedy. The play begins with the two Capulets fooling about and explaining that they will "bite" their "thumb" at the Montagues when they pass. This theme of comedy and light-hearted humour is significant at the start of the play, leading many to say that Romeo and Juliet is a comedy, not unlike many of Shakespeare's other plays previously, however this changes entirely by the turning point of the play. Tybalt and Mercutio's deaths are directly caused by the feud and are catalysts to the change of the play from a comedy to a tragedy. Mercutio's character is often portrayed as the joker, even his final words being a pun ("ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man") and his death gives rise to the greater sufferings that are to come, such as Romeo's banishment, Paris' death and Romeo and Juliet's deaths too. He repeats "a plague" on "both your houses", highlighting how he feels the feud has caused these tragedies. Shakespeare could here be portraying family honour, which was significant at the time as damaging, as here, there feud is he root of suffering.

What the exam board likes about the response:

• The initial focus on Capulet’s suffering is unusual but subtle and sensitive.

• The discussion of Capulet is fully developed and supported throughout with embedded quotations.

• The consideration of the feud as the main driver of suffering is convincing, as is the view that the early part of the play could be considered comedic until the death of Mercutio.

• Literary and socio-historic aspects of context are fully integrated.

What we like about the response:

• Quotations are short, yet effective, and always integrated. 

• The candidate focuses on what Shakespeare is trying to teach audiences, rather than directly stating how audiences would feel.

• Suffering is explored all the way throughout the play.

• Several scenes are discussed (the prologue, the opening fight scene, Paris' first request to marry Juliet, Mercutio's death and the ending scene).

• The candidate doesn't spend excessive time just retelling the story and instead links their ideas to context and what Shakespeare is trying to critique about society. 

• The candidate goes into detail about the fact that Romeo and Juliet is a play that is produced for that stage and discusses how actors and directors can choose to depict characters.

• There is an element of evaluation, discussing the impact of the theme on the wider plot.

When answering the question, consistently ask yourself:

• How important is this theme?

• Which moment is most important in showing this theme and its impact?

• What happens as a result of this theme and your selected moment? What is the impact in the moment but then what is the butterfly effect that is started?

• What message is Shakespeare trying to portray to his audiences?

• What is Shakespeare trying to critique about society?