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"romeo And Juliet Are Architects Of Their Own Destruction." To What Extent Do You Agree With This Statement?

GCSE English Literature (whole-text Question)

Date : 29/10/2021

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Aiyesha

Uploaded by : Aiyesha
Uploaded on : 29/10/2021
Subject : English


A:

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Understand the meaning of `architect` and `destruction`. `To what extent..` student needs to engage their knowledge of both characters and the text in it`s entirety. Useful to structure the answer with clear focus on beginning, middle and end of the play with arguments for and against the statement given.2. Plan IntroLayout a clear stance e.g: " To a certain extent, I..."Give a short overview of the essay.It can be argued that Romeo and Juliet`s heedlessness and fatal choices caused their destruction however influence of Fate and the role of other characters such as Friar Lawrence cannot be ignored since these factors and characters ultimately facilitated the destruction and death of both Romeo and Juliet . Body paragraphs Fate Prologue- `star-crossed`A1S4/A3 - `Death is my Son-in-law`/ `fortunes fool``I`d rather the fool married to her grave` - natural imagery Mercutio`s death and last words (`plague to both your houses`) - a possible reversal of fortune for Romeo and Juliet ?Friar LawrenceRisky and fatal potion plan- betrayal of religious authority and mockery of God ." too soon foresaken" - aware of Romeo`s infatuation and is doubtful of his love for Juliet from the start."violent delights have violent ends"- foreshadowing the deaths of both characters/ alludes to the fact that the Friar knew that Romeo and Juliet`s love was reckless. Romeo is to blame.` I have lost myself and I am not here`- arguably is evidence to suggest that Romeo is unable to rationalize or control his emotions. Fueled by his Hubris, he makes, ultimately, the most fatal decisions e.g -fight with Tybult is unnecessary as Tybult would have been lawfully punished anyway.- overcome with emotion he drinks the poison at the end and this is shows how self-destructive he can be. (Freudian concept of the Id can explain Romeo`s actions as he tries to immediately satisfy every urge or need)Conclusion Romeo and Juliet`s love and their defiance against society may have acted as catalysts in destroying both of them at the end. However they cannot be the architects since the actions of other characters influenced many events that ultimately lead to their downfall and death. Their destruction was arguably inevitable from the start- perhaps their death restores order and stability within the play and in Verona ?"Doth with their death bury their parents` strife"An example paragraphFate is also instrumental in the destruction of Romeo and Juliet. The prologue emphasizes that these " star-cross`d" lovers were destined to die in order to "bury their parents` strife", further highlighting the inevitability of Romeo and Juliet`s destruction. Dramatically ironic references made by Capulet, ("death is my son in law")and Lady Capulet ("I`d rather the fool married to her grave") suggests to the audience that death is the imminent "violent end" of Romeo and Juliet`s love. After Mercutio curses "plague to both your houses" destiny heavily betrays both protagonists: Romeo kills Tybult and is subsequently banished and the Friar`s potion plan fails leading directly to their deaths. It can be argued that Mercutio`s curse precedes the destruction of many characters, including Lady Montague, Tybult and Paris. Ironically it is only after Tybult`s death that the protagonists face a reversal of fortune, wherein both Romeo and Juliet accelerate towards the inevitable destruction in the form of their deaths.

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