Romeo and Juliet

Writing: Choose one of the following prompts. Feel free to be creative, but remember to read and answer the entire prompt.

1. Modern day soliloquy

In Act 2 Scene 1 Romeo and Juliet express their inner thoughts through soliloquies. Today, it seems, we prefer to express our inmost thoughts in the form of blogs/Facebook posts. Write a modern-day version Romeo’s and Juliet’s soliloquies. Use the original text as a guide; don’t stray too far from the meaning of what they say, but interpret it into your own words.

2. What about Rosaline?

Create a scene in which Rosaline actually appears. This can consist of interaction between her and Romeo or a soliloquy by her. Include stage directions. The dialogue does not need to be in Elizabethan English (unless you feel ambitious) but it does need to include some writing the format of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). Describe how you would characterize Rosaline and what kind of actress you would cast her as in a film.

3. Juliet’s friend

Did you notice how Romeo has a number of guy friends his age, but Juliet only has her Nurse to talk to? Create a female character who is Juliet’s friend. When would she appear? What advice might she give and how? What might the impact of a close friend for Juliet have on the outcome of the play? Would it change the way Juliet acted or not? Answer these questions and write a short exchange of dialogue (~15 lines) between Juliet and her friend.

4. What if?

The “Tragic Fall” of Romeo and Juliet is brought about by several critical events in the play. Follow the decisions of Romeo and Juliet through these critical points and explain how they contribute to the fall. Pick the event that you consider the point of no return—the action or decision that spells out certain doom for Romeo and Juliet—and change it. What if Romeo didn’t kill Tybalt? What if Juliet married Paris? What if Friar Laurence didn’t marry them in secret, but told the families? What if…? Write about what would have happened; you can change the play into a comedy (happy ending) or keep it a tragedy.