ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare

Unit Final Essay: Fate or Flaw?

Mr. Mendelsohn/English 9AB/ Verdugo Hills Multimedia Magnet High School

In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy ofRomeo and Juliet, two “star-crossed lovers” come to a tragic end. Is this the result of Fate OR the result of poor decisions made by various characters because of their tragic, human flaws? (Fate is also referred to in the play as “fortune,” “the stars,” “the heavens,” etc.)

WRITING PROMPT

In a well-written essay, identify specific characters and whether you think they are victims of Fate OR their own human flaws. If you believe they are victims of Fate, use specific examples of how Fate contributes to the tragic ending. If you believe each character has a flaw/flaws, identify specific examples and how each flaw contributes to the tragic ending.

Choose two (2) characters from the following list: Romeo, Juliet, The Nurse, Friar Laurence, Lord Capulet, Lady Capulet, Tybalt, Mercutio, Count Paris, and Prince Escalus. Use the provided graphic organizer to plan your essay.

In order to be proficient, your essay must:

• directly address the writing prompt and demonstrate understanding of the text of the play

• address a minimum of two different major characters in the play (see above list)

• use specific quotes (CDs) from Shakespeare’s text 

• demonstrate a clear understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship between Fate

OR a character’s flaws and how they contribute to tragic outcome

GENERAL ESSAY CRITERIA CHECKLIST

To meet the standards for writing outlined on the VHHS Writing Program Rubric, your essay must:

___ contain a thesis and introduction that specifically addresses Fate OR flaws

___ follow MLA format for quotation marks and citations

___ follow MLA format for name, date, class title, period and essay title (see sample)

___ contain a heading, title and body word processed with 12 pt. Times New Roman font only

___ be no more than two typed, stapled pages, double-spaced, standard 1” margins

___ follow the mechanics, usage, and grammar of standard written English

___ be free of mechanical and printing errors (smudges, glitches, faded ink, etc.)

___ meet the standards for proficiency in the VHHS Writing Program Rubric

___ be turned in by the deadline

CITING A CONCRETE DETAIL FROM A DRAMATIC WORK (Act. Scene. Line #’s)

Note: Set your quote up by stating who is saying what, and why and where he/she is saying it!

Tybalt’s biggest flaw is his uncontrollable temper. He is still angry with Romeo for attending the Capulet’s masquerade party, so he challenges Romeo in the town square, saying, “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw” (III.1.69-70).

Revised 4/2017

Ess A. Writer

Mr. Mendelsohn

Period 2, H English 9AB

May 5, 2017

A Flaw By Any Other Name

In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, FIRST CHARACTER’S NAME and SECOND CHARACTER’S NAME exhibit tragic flaws that contribute to the tragic ending. FIRST CHARACTER’S NAME is flawed because he/she ______, while SECOND CHARACTER’S NAME is flawed because he/she ______. The decisions they make based on their flaws lead to the climax and tragic ending of the play.

A Fate On Both Your Houses

In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, FIRST CHARACTER’S NAME and SECOND CHARACTER’S NAME are victims of Fate, which directly contributes to the tragic ending. FIRST CHARACTER’S NAME is a victim of Fate because he/she ______, while SECOND CHARACTER’S NAME is a victim because he/she ______. The decisions they make are the result of misfortune and lead to the climax and tragic ending of the play.