Lecture Notes: Analyzing Relationships in Romeo and Juliet

Introduction

• Focus on sample set 2022 papers from AQA, specifically around Romeo and Juliet.
• Key scene: Act 3, Scene 5, where Capulet bullies Juliet into marrying Paris.
• Exam Question: How does Shakespeare present relationships between adults and young people?

Exam Strategy

• Aim for grades 7, 8, and 9 by structuring a well-developed argument.
• Avoid starting directly with the extract; instead, develop a thesis statement for a more coherent argument.

Developing a Thesis Statement

• Purpose of Shakespeare:
  1. Critique of Arranged Marriages: Challenges the moral from Arthur Brooke's source poem, advocating for marrying for love.
  2. Critique of Patriarchal Society: Explores the negative impact on women and the glorification of violence among men.
  3. Historical Context: Reflects societal issues of Elizabethan England, parallels with Shakespeare's own life and marriage.

Relationships and the Patriarchal Society

• Capulet's Role:
  • Initial reluctance to marry Juliet off contrasts with his urgent arrangement post-Tybalt's death.
  • Reflects the impact of patriarchal pressure and the need for social advancement.
• Lady Capulet's Influence:
  • Pressures Juliet based on her own early marriage and societal expectations.
  • Reflects societal obsession with advantageous marriages.

The Role of Violence and Feuding

• Male Violence:
  • Reflective of a patriarchal society, with men like Tybalt and Mercutio perpetuating violence.
  • Feuds are catalyzed by ancient grudges and societal norms.
• Shakespeare’s Critique:
  • Starts play with a brawl to critique societal violence.
  • Highlights the ultimate sacrifice of Romeo and Juliet due to adult incompetence and societal norms.

The Role of Women and the Nurse

• Lady Capulet:
  • Marrying too young, pressures Juliet based on her own experiences.
  • Highlights negative impact on women in a patriarchal society.
• The Nurse:
  • Betrays parents and Juliet, emphasizing sexual aspects rather than marital love.
  • Pushes Juliet towards societal norms of marriage rather than her well-being.

Friar Lawrence's Responsibility

• Role in Tragic Events:
  • Marries Romeo and Juliet in hope of ending feud; represents adult failure.
  • His actions indirectly lead to Juliet's demise, highlighting the impact of adult decisions.

Conclusion

• Overall Message:
  • Adults create a societal structure that leads to tragedy.
  • The play critiques societal norms around marriage and violence, laying blame on the adults.
  • Highlights how adult decisions and societal structures negatively impact youth.

Additional Points

• Consider examining the broader context of religious and societal norms in Elizabethan England.
• Understanding of patriarchal implications and historical context enriches the analysis.

Note: Prepare to adapt arguments based on different exam questions.