Romeo and Juliet Open Book Essay Test



Write a five paragraph essay answering one of the questions listed below. You must have at least five sentences in each paragraph. You must use three quotes from the play to support your argument and include in-text citations.



Choose one of the following questions:

Compare/contrast any two characters and show how they develop throughout the play.

Does Romeo and Juliet’s love end tragically because of fate, or their own weaknesses?

Describe and analyze the different types of love portrayed in the play.

Explain the role of hatred and disorder in the play.

Describe the roles of Romeo and Juliet’s friends – are they good or bad influences?

At the end of the play, the Prince says, “Some shall be pardoned, and some punished…” (5.3.308). Which characters, if any, are most to blame for the tragedy?





One possible way of organizing your essay:

First paragraph: Introduction

Second paragraph: Body (include one quote)

Third paragraph: Body (include one quote)

Fourth paragraph: Body (include one quote)

Fifth paragraph: Conclusion





Tips on using quotes:



Don’t start a sentence with a quote – introduce it so it flows with the rest of your essay.

Don’t start or end a paragraph with a quote. You should begin a paragraph with a topic sentence, and end by analyzing the quote and explaining why you brought it up.

If you quote multiple lines, use a slash (/) between the lines.

For in-text citations of Shakespeare plays, cite the Act #, Scene #, and line numbers at the end of the sentence in parentheses with periods between each number (see the above example spoken by the Prince).