Romeo and Juliet sample answer
(a) Did you find the play that you studied to be mainly serious or mainly light-hearted Explain your answer with reference to the play. (15) (b) Which element of the play had the greater impact on you, the serious element or the light-hearted element Clearly explain your choice with reference to the play you have studied. (15) The play I have studied is Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This play is mostly serious as it describes the tragic story of two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet. At the start of the play we are introduced to the family feud that dominates and influences the characters and their actions. This feud is a key obstacle for the two young lovers as they are from different families, the Montagues and the Capulets. There are very few light hearted moments throughout the text and any of those that exist involve Mercutio, a kinsman of the King. By the end of the play six characters have died, many of them needlessly. Mercutio and Paris, two kinsmen of the King needlessly die even though they are not directly involved in the feud. The way the story unravels is also highly tragic as the deaths and downfall of the various characters could have been avoided and were all a consequence of a pointless feud of which very few people know the origin. Try and show why the play is serious. You are not asked to give opinions but simply just describe points from the story and use these to show why it is serious. For example talk about the ending of the play, what are the key things that happen Are you happy with how the play progresses Serious themes such as death, hate etc. Describe the impact that the feud has on the characters serious consequences. What impact it made on you How did you feel Were you frustrated, regretful or angry at stages during the play Did you feel that things could have worked out differently What were the key aspects that you reflected on The serious element of the play made the greatest impact on me. At the ending of the play it is