I have to do a research paper on romeo and juliet. HELP ME PLEASE?

Question

this if for a college paper. research.... Its hard to understand! has anyone else had this same problem and got through it? please i am so sick over it!!

Answer 1

You aren't being very clear here. What is that you don't understand? Is it the Shakespearian English or is it the plot,
or is it why anybody ever bothered to write it? Or is it the meaning? I mean to say that you have given too much room here for anyone to answer you sensibly.

I suggest going to your professor and telling him what your problem is. He should be able to help you in the areas you are having difficulties and guide you to those books which would be helpful to you in understanding the play.

Perhaps I can help a little. It is a play, so the action is all meant to be visualized. Watch Franco Zefferelli's film version to get yourself acquainted with the story.

Then there are several scholars who have written on the subject--that's where the research comes in. Harold Bloom is a respected Shakespeare scholar. who has written and even produced an audio course on Shakespeare's tragedies. Your professor should know other names that will be of benefit to you in your researches.

Also, don't let the language scare you. I've taught Shakespeare to eleven year olds. And I just told them it's a little old fashioned, don't panic, and anything you need help on we'll go over. The Yale edition of Shakespeare has good notes on archaic terms. The Oxford Shakespeare for student has good notes.

The other thing is, when you are talking about a research paper on R & J. you have to have a point of view about the subject.
What is it about the play that grips you (when you get that far)?

Professor's are there to help you. So go get some help. Maybe watch the video first.

Answer 2

There are many themes in the play you could write about, young love, masculine dominance, youthful lack of caution and more. I don't think jealousy is in there. At no point is Romeo or Juliet fearful of losing the other. You could trace one theme throughout the play. This would be pretty easy for any of the ones I mentioned. You can, and should, use quotes from the play to support what you say in your thesis statement. Should you decide to write about Romeo, what would you say about him? He's barely through puberty, so anything you would say about most any 15 year old male would be accurate. Just show what he says and does that indicates your conclusions are accurate. Remember, you don't have to write 10 pages, but 5 - 10 ten pages. Don't try to "drag it out". That will result in a lower grade. Say what you have to say simply but well. Use quotes and actions in the play to support your contentions. Don't use long words just because it might help you get to those five pages, and have someone else proofread your paper and use spell check. Use a 12 point font with regular margins. 16 point Ariel will not make your teacher happy. By the way, correctly executed quotes will take up more space, and your teacher will like the fact you're using them. I used to tech the play. You'll be fine. Good luck.

Answer 3

I did a search on Romeo and Juliet for dummies and several sites came up and there is actually a Shakespere for dummies book. When I clicked on the first site it summarized the chapters.. Good luck

Answer 4

Have you been to your college's library? Ask the reference librarians for help in locating collections of essays and other criticism on R&J--there's a small mountain of it. There's also one great set called Shakespeare Criticism that might be a good starting point.

Answer 5

Try:
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-165.html

Once you have the plot down, consult a libarian at your college and see if they have access to the database:
Literature Research Center
Ask for a quick tour of how to use it.

Good luck.

Answer 6

What is your thesis? You can't write a paper about ALL of the play. Narrow it down to theme or literary devices or characterization. Then I could help.