Romeo and Juliet Geographical/ Social Setting Essay

Question 1

Setting Essay Structure

Answer 1

Introduction 
Plot summary
Social setting - the feud
Verona 
Friar’s cell
The tomb
Conclusion

Question 2

Introduction

Answer 2

Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ deals with forbidden love against the backdrop of feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, in Verona. The play sees Romeo and Juliet meet, fall in love and suffer death as a result of their ill-fated and secret love.

Question 3

Social setting - topic sentence

Answer 3

As well as place the audience become aware immediately of a vital social setting in the play - that of violence and conflict due to the feud.

Question 4

Social setting - quotes

Answer 4

Benvolio: “For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”
Romeo after Mercutio’s death - “Fire eyed fury be my conduct now!”

Question 5

Verona - topic sentence

Answer 5

Much of the play’s action occurs in Verona with some of the vital action occurring in its public places.

Question 6

Verona - quotes

Answer 6

“Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets.”

“From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”

Question 7

Friars cell - topic sentence

Answer 7

This is the second pivotal location within Verona. The lovers are married, confide their deep angst to the Friar and crucially, the plan is formulated here. The friars cell acts as a safe haven for the lovers to be able to freely express their love.

Question 8

Friar’s cell - quotes

Answer 8

Friar when he marries Romeo and Juliet: “Till Holy Church incorporate two in one”
Friar when he gives Juliet the potion : “Take thou this vial, being then in bed,/ and this distilling liquor drink thou off”

Question 9

The tomb - topic sentence

Answer 9

The Capulet tomb serves as the site of the tragic denouement of the play, with the pledge for peace, and the final resting place of Paris, as well as Romeo and Juliet.

Question 10

The tomb - quotes

Answer 10

Paris when asking his Page (servant) for a torch: “Give me thy torch”
Romeo describing the tomb before entering:“Detestable maw”

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

In conclusion,“Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare is a play which uses geographical / social setting to explore the effects of the violent feud between the Montagues and Capulets.
In the final scene, both the social and geographical settings coincide with the Prince’s review of events. Verona’s public places demonstrate the extent of the unrest, and the private locations within, demonstrate the young protagonists’ hidden love. The sight of Romeo and Juliet lying dead in the tomb, together at last, serves as a tragic warning to both the other characters and the audience.