Vocab Story

This parable is about two young twin brothers full of mischievous malice, who were a paradigm of little brothers everywhere. In their front yard they had a palisade extending from the front of their house. On occasion when people walked under their front door they would feel a fusillade of cascading water fall on their head. Of course every time this happened there would be to identical boys standing on top of the temporary patio. Many a time would the brothers older sister’s boyfriend feel a malaise after eating one of the boys homemade sandwiches “made specially for him”.

One day the patriarch of their family decided to put his foot down. The father was tired of coming home to malodors coming from the twins rooms and constant sibling rivalry between the two boys and sister. Yes, the father had decided to send them to a boot camp over the summer; for once in their lives the boys seemed actually terrified. No matter what the boys said the father would not change his mind. Until one day the sister decided she could get something out of this whole mess, the sister decided she would help convince the father not to send the boys away on two conditions, they would no longer call her anything along the lines of “maladroit” and never enter her room again. After careful consideration the boys agreed, and with just a few minutes of talking with their father the sister had convinced him to keep the boys out of boot camp.

Topic Four 3-16-06

Recently for humanities class I read "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. This is a classic story of forbidden that has stood strong for over four hundred years. "Romeo and Juliet" was written during the Renaissance time- a time when old ideas and inventions were being rediscovered creating a whole new form of society. "This was a time when people had a new outlook on culture, life and learning."( taken from some facts about renaissance provided by my humanities teacher.) During this time there was a separation of church and state, meaning people had the "idea that the government and religion should be separate, and not interfere in each other's affairs."( a definition taken from an online dictionary).

"Romeo and Juliet" is about a prohibited love between two young "star-crossed lovers" set in Verona, Italy during the late 1500's. In this timepiece, Romeo and Juliet put their needs above the church and fellow individuals. The characters selfish habits remind me of renaissance, because before then this tendency would have been frowned upon. When "Romeo ad Juliet" was written it was very different from any of the other plays at its time. "Romeo and Juliet" showed people doing things for themselves instead of their religion, it showed rebellion and other things that were not the stereotype of a perfect child.

I think Shakespeare had perfect timing when coming up with the play. The renaissance was a time of discovering when people were open to many new things, therefore it was possible for Shakespeare to show his play "Romeo and Juliet" without getting in trouble. If this play had been published just a couple centuries earlier it would not have had the potential or reached the popularity that it did.

Topic Three 3-15-06

After reading the main scenes of "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, my opinions about Shakespeare have not really changed. I understand a little more now why he is so famous. I was surprised how poetic Shakespeare's play's were, I knew "Romeo and Juliet" was romantic but I never realized rhythm of the lines.

Especially in Elizabethan time, the best way to learn about something was to experience it first hand, because it was hard send accurate information over long distances. For Shakespeare to be so educated about Verona, Italy and its local culture Shakespeare (coming from London) he must have had a strong source for his information. Most likely Shakespeare visited traveled Verona himself. I think whoever did write the Shakespeare plays must have been a well rounded and educated man, because of his frequent references to astrology, his large vocabulary, and poetic ability. The author of "Romeo and Juliet" must have had many incidents resembling that of his characters. Many times have these opinions created debates if William Shakespeare is the REAL author.

Now that I have read an excerpt from the New York Bestseller "Will in the World" by Stephen Greenblatt, I doubt that Shakespeare marriage to Anne Hathaway was so romantic that it could have inspired him to write a brilliant love story as "Romeo and Juliet". Despite what I wrote earlier this year I have changed my opinion that Christopher Marlowe was the real Shakespeare author and say the original candidate William Shakespeare is the author. Although many people debate against my opinion many things have come from people in history that you would not necessarily expect.

Topic Two 3-14-06

Tonight's writing homework is a response to the last scene of Romeo and Juliet act 5 scene 3. I was quite surprised how different the original Romeo and Juliet was from the 1996 verion. One example is the last scene which I read today, in the original Romeo and Juliet Romeo goes to the graveyard where Juliet's tomb is in hopes to find her dead body and drink a fast working poison that will kill him. Romeo is disocvered by Paris, and they fight to the death when Paris is killed. In the 1996 version Romeo and Juliet Romeo is informed Juliet is dead and currently at the church. Romeo goes to the church with the same poison but this time he drinks the poison without the encounter with Paris. In both versions Romeo drinks the poison, although one scene is in the church and the other in a graveyard with Paris.

I think Shakespeare added the character of Paris to the playwrite Romeo and Juliet to show an added stress to Juliet, and cause more conflict between the characters of the story, and show how much her parents were pushing her to get married. I do not feel that Paris was neccesary in the storyline of Romeo and Juliet and I think the workers from the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet recognized that. I think Shakespeare could have added a couple more references to pushing Juliet to marriage by Capulet and Lady Capulet, and would have given the same idea.

The final scene of Romeo and Juliet is a very sad ending to a wonderful play. It was depressing that not only Romeo but Juliet as well die at the end of the play, all because of their lve for eachother. During this scene I was sad becuase three of the main characters died and at the same time mad. I have heard Romeo and Juliet called by many names. Some say Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story, which I agree with. Since the original play was published in 1597, over 400 years ago, it's plot has been used many times in novels and movies. I think the reason this tale has been called "the most famous love story" so many times before is because it's poetic text and strong plot are of amazing staure. The playwrite Romeo and Juliet provides a look back to what it was like a few centuries ago while providing a romantic plot. I think the plot although old still aplies in alot of ways to social pressure today, which is one of the reasons it has been used so many times in recent novels and movies.

Topic One 3-13-06

Tonight’s writing portion of homework is a response to act 5 scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet. On Friday our whole team watched the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet. Now that I know the ending of Romeo and Juliet, I think the dream Romeo has in act 5 scene 2 makes sense.

"I had a dream that my lady came and found me dead."

I now think that Romeo's dream is predicting the future; when Juliet wakes up from her phony death ad finds Romeo him dieing next to her.


I think Romeo would be very anxious as he is buying the poison from the apothecary. If I were Romeo I would nervous knowing within the hour I would be dieing, but also nervous that the cops will find me and would have a much more painful death. I do not think Romeo does the right thing by committing suicide, I think the reason committed suicide is he was so miserable when he heard Juliet was "dead" he felt the only thing he could do is take his own life. Maybe he thought without Juliet there was no point to his life, or if he died he would be with Juliet all the sooner.

I think there were many times when both Romeo and Juliet could have made different choices to avoid there final outcome. Such as marrying eachother, they could have told their parents they loved eachother. Although their parents would be mad at the fact they were in love they probably would not hsve killed both Romeo and Juliet. I guess I personally believe in fate, I believe that you control your life by your own choices.

I was about seven when I first saw a part of the 1996 version of "Romeo and Juliet"; although both my sisters loved this movie I found it very boring. I did not understand what was going on in the movie, mostly beacuase I did not understand what they were saying. At the age of seven I did not have the attention span to sit through 2 hours of something I did not understand. Now that I have read parts of the real play "Romeo and Juliet" I understand the movie much better, and actually enjoyed watching it.

Topic Four 3-9-06

Part of tonight’s homework was to read act three scene two in Romeo and Juliet. I think it will be very awkward for Romeo and Juliet to reunite, with friction between them because of the death of Tybalt. I think if they did get back together even years down the road there would still be something missing between them.

When Juliet first received the news that her close cousin had been killed she became angry with Romeo, questioning why she had ever fallen in love with Romeo. After a mere few minutes Juliet decided that she had forgiven Romeo for killing her closest husband. It almost seems ridiculous that in just a matter of a few days a girl meets a man, falls in love, gets married, and has a close cousin die; Romeo and Juliet definitively have their share of drama. Like the death of Mercutio, I think the death of Tybalt will only bring the Capulets to loathe the Montagues. It is an ongoing battle between the Montagues and Capulets, both can only find more reasons to hate each other.

If something happened to me resembling what happened to Juliet it would probably take me a long time to forgive Romeo. In this scene you learn that Juliet can be emotionally tough but at the same time very forgiving, and you really see how Juliet’s has changed from a bashful girl to a strong woman. I have enjoyed reading these scenes from Romeo and Juliet and may continue reading it, no matter what I can't wait to see the movie tomorrow in class.

Topic Three 3/08/06

Part of tonight’s assignment for humanities is to read scene 1 of act 3 in Romeo and Juliet, where Tybalt fights Mercutio and in the end fights Romeo as well. Because Mercutio was so close with the Montagues and the Montagues were enemies of the Capulets I think the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt would eventually happen. It may have been inevitable for Mercutio and Tybalt to fight, but I believe outcome could have been avoided. I think with the setting of the fight compared to say the party where Romeo met Juliet was more likely for someone to die in the end.

In this scene out of Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo I feel the most sympathetic for Mercutio. Although Mercutio was not exactly a peace maker it does not feel right that he ends up dieing because he was not part of either the Montague or Capulet families. Mercutio seemed like a person did not really take anything seriously. In the end what happened to him was very serious, so serious it caused another to die.

If I were Romeo I guess I would have felt anxiety, excitement, and worry as I see Tybalt and Mercutio (my best friend) fighting, because I know no matter who wins nothing goods will come out of it, I would feel terror, grief, sympathy, and revenge as I saw my best friend die right before my eyes. It would be really hard to go through that day it would take allot of strength and courage which I think are a couple of Romeo's most respectable qualities.

From the previous episodes that I have read involving the Montague's I am predicting that this will only increase their abhorrence of the Capulets. If something happened to a close friend family member similar to what Mercutio suffered I do not think I would go and the kill the murderer as Romeo did, but as is natural in human nature I would probably feel like seeking revenge. It would be very hard to cope with the loss of a loved one, and I know it would be difficult to overcome the grief.

Topic Two 3/07/06

Part of tonight’s reading was assignment is to read Act 2 Scene 5 in Romeo and Juliet. In this scene Juliet is impatiently waiting for her nurse to bring the news of Romeo, whether or not she is getting married, and when. This scene is humorous as Juliet impatiently nags at her nurse to share the news from Romeo, the man she loves. Her nurse is in no hurry to share the urgent news, complaining various body parts are aching, getting back rubs from Juliet.

Juliet is in a rush to hear the news from her nurse, who is bringing news of whether she will be marrying Romeo. She is probably anxious to hear whether the news is good (Romeo will be marrying Juliet) or bad (Romeo will not be marrying her). I think Juliet was very pleased that the news turned out to be good, she is marrying the man she loves. Especially since she is in such a hurry to get to Friar Lawrence’s Cell where she will be married.

Like any audience of scene 5 act 2, I felt anxious for the nurse to give the news to Juliet, and happy that Juliet received good news. I liked how Shakespeare incorporated humor into this scene. I enjoyed reading this scene very much. If I had read just this scene and not the ones leading up to it I think my first impression about Juliet is that she is obviously in love with a guy named Romeo, she also seems impatient, and rebellious.

I do not think that the plan Romeo has devised to run away and get married is very smart. When Juliet's parents discover that she is gone they will probably assume the worst, and take drastic actions against the Montagues. Although Romeo's plan is romantic, in the end it will probably end up in causing more friction between the Montagues and Capulets and possibly a couple deaths.

Topic One 3-06-06

The two lines I have chosen from act two scene two of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare are-
"O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name."
These lines are spoken by Juliet on page eighty from the No Fear Shakespeare book. I chose these lines to talk about because I think they are the single most famous lines from Romeo and Juliet. Of any two lines from Romeo and Juliet I think these are the most recognizable. If I translated these lines into modern day English, Juliet would basically be asking herself why Romeo had to have the name of Romeo, telling him (although she does not know he is really there) to forget about his dad, and change his name. I think the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet is a very romantic and poetic scene. Describing the predicament of two young adults in love who are deciding if and when they should elope. I think this scene is strongly controversial, at the same time romantic, and anyone would enjoy reading it. I enjoyed reading this scene, partially because it is so legendary in even modern society.

Just from reading Scene two of act two I learned a lot about the characteristics of Romeo and Juliet. I figured that these are two young adults whose families obviously do not want them to be together are in love. I discovered that Juliet is a young woman madly in love with what seems to be a bold young man named Romeo. Both Romeo and Juliet seem to be rebellious against their parents, and willing to risk it all for each other. It is hard to tell why Romeo and Juliet are attracted to each other from this point without reading the rest of the play. If I were in this situation I do not know what I would do, but I doubt I would get myself into this situation in the first place. I do not agree with Romeo and Juliet going behind their parent’s backs to get married, but if they didn’t I guess there would not really be a story, would there?