My glorious padlet by Dishita Nayak

Dear Reader,

27dnayak — 2024-05-17 13:33:59 UTC

This multi-genre project is a collection of sub genres that depict themes of the renowned story of “Romeo and Juliet.” “Romeo and Juliet” is a classic that illustrates conflict, tension, love, and tragedy, but this project will focus on one underlying theme of the story: Impulsivity and rash decisions in young people lead to conflict and dangerous consequences. This theme is demonstrated by both Romeo and Juliet along with other characters whose impulsive actions ultimately lead to the two main characters’ deaths. Please join me as I take you through the course of events that lead to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Genre 1: The Great Mystery

27dnayak — 2024-05-17 13:47:58 UTC

I chose to create a cork board that showcases the many possible characters and events that could have led to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. What actually caused the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? Was it Friar Laurence’s plan? Was it Lord Capulet’s eagerness to wed Juliet with Count Paris? The answer lies not in any of these other characters, but in the protagonists themselves. They made the decisions to hastily enter a relationship and conceal it from both of their families. It is clear that neither of the characters have any regard for the consequences of their actions when Romeo exclaims, “But come what sorrow can. / It cannot countervail the exchange of joy / That one short minute gives me in her sight” (Rom. 2. 6. 3-5). It was Juliet who immediately urged the friar to help her and Romeo reunite. It was Romeo who impulsively went to meet Juliet’s tomb, leading to the deaths of the two and Count Paris as well. If Romeo and Juliet had been patient after the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, they might not have met their untimely end.

Genre 2: His Beloved Diary

27dnayak — 2024-05-19 22:05:53 UTC

The night of the Capulets’ masquerade ball, Romeo loses his sense of reason and his obsession with Rosaline disappears in mere seconds. Romeo makes the decision to pursue Juliet after just one look, not considering her character or what family she might belong to. Moving on from Rosalind, he says, “I pray thee chide not. / She whom I love now Doth grace for grace and love for love allow. / The other did not so” (Rom. 1. 5. 85-87). The quote reveals that Romeo did not actually have love for Rosaline, as he moved on so quickly, showing that he did not think his actions through in pursuing her. The genre I chose demonstrates Romeo’s complete lack of reason and maturity.

Genre 3: Text Me Back

27dnayak — 2024-05-19 22:11:33 UTC

As we all know, Romeo is a very passionate person. In Romeo’s introduction, he is depicted as being madly in love with a girl named Rosaline, who continuously rejected his advances. When he encounters Juliet, he forgets his past infatuation with her cousin and pursues Juliet, which is why I made a text chain with messages that detail the timeline of Romeo’s obsession. Though Juliet had shown some reluctance though also being infatuated with him, Romeo pushes her to enter a relationship with him and not even a full day later they wed in secret. Both characters show impulsivity in not considering the effects of their reckless decisions.

Genre 4: The Heartbreak Playlist

27dnayak — 2024-05-19 22:13:30 UTC

When Romeo is exiled to Mantua, both him and Juliet go through a dramatic period where Romeo is anguished in not being able to meet his wife, and Juliet dramatically exclaims that “Both for you and I, for Romeo is exiled, / He made you for a highway to my bed, / But I, a maid, die maiden widowed” (Rom. 3. 2. 133-135). The playlist I made reflects how Romeo and Juliet experience the same feelings that teens in more recent years experience about heartbreak. The couple acts dramatically about the situation of Romeo’s exile, and rather than being patient and waiting for a reasonable way to resolve the conflict, they both make rash decisions which end up bearing negative consequences. Juliet and Friar Laurence’s faulty plan, along with Romeo’s decision to illegally enter Verona lead to the characters’ death.

Genre 5: The Map to Her Heart

27dnayak — 2024-05-19 22:16:15 UTC

Like Romeo, Juliet has made some questionable choices regarding her secret relationship with him. Initially, she had some doubts about entering a relationship unlike Romeo who was years older, but she still gives in to her feelings. She places all trust in him, exclaiming, “Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say ‘Ay’;/ And I will take thy word” (Rom. 2. 2. 90-910). She shows naivety by letting Romeo’s sweet words persuade her into entering a secret relationship that she knows will add fuel to the fire in the feud between the Capulets and Montagues. That’s why I chose to make a map illustrating how easily Juliet let Romeo into her heart, with important scenes that develop their relationship.