Thursday, March 1, 2012

Romeo and Juliet Friend Letter (1.1)

Dear Friend,

            I am currently reading the legendary Romeo and Juliet by the famous Shakespeare.  I know you have definitely heard of it.  But, it is different from what you would expect.  You would think that it’s just some old book with fancy words that you don’t understand but it isn’t.  It does have olden words but it is interesting with a twisted plot, and I just started!  I already noticed many things about the characters, plot and writing technique.  My mind is already bubbling with thoughts and feelings about the book.   

            Even though I have only read the first scene, I already observed many things about it. I notice that besides Shakespeare using language from his time period, he also used big vocabulary.  He used words such as tyrant and more.  This made me question, what is a tyrant?  I also noticed that Shakespeare doesn’t come right out and say things.  You have to some what read in between the lines and infer about what they are saying.  This then connects back to the use of big words and older words.  It makes it a little harder to read and understand.  But with the key that they have on the left every other page really helps.  It gives you a good definition of some of the words they believe you are stuck on and usually they are right.  The formal language that is used is used within the dialogue, the characters talk very formally to each other.  Lastly, Shakespeare makes the important characters talk a lot at once.  At certain points they have one character saying a whole paragraph.  For now, this is what I observed.

            I already have a list of thoughts and feelings about this one scene that I jotted down while reading in my notebook.  I feel that because of this one family’s fighting, everyone is involved and they really have no choice but to be involved.  If they were to act normal with the “enemy” then their life would be on the line.  Even the servants have to be involved; the servants who really have no life have to look forward to fighting.  Speaking of fighting, I already think that there is going to be a lot of fighting in this book because of all of the anger these people have.  They already broke out into fighting a couple of times.  There is one person besides the prince that I feel gets treated royally is Romeo.  Not just because he is the main character but he is special and I want to know why.  Hopefully, later on in this book I will find out why.  In addition, I think that Romeo and his cousin Benvolio have a special bond.  I think they share a brotherly love, even though they are only cousins.  I feel that they are always going to be together because they trust each other.  I can’t wait to see this bond and many other things in this book grow.

            To sum everything up, so far I like this book and I would recommend it to you already.  There are many words you may not understand but you will understand the story line.  My experience has already been an interesting one and I have been enjoying reading a book I always wanted to read and being the characters (in class).  I am excited to continue.  If you listen to me and decide to read this book, my advice to you is to break up every sentence you may not quite get and take notes on what you’re reading for an advanced book like this.  Also, if you read it you should definitely use the key on every left page for help.  I will update you on my findings.  Happy reading!
                                                                                                Love,
                                                                       
                                                                                                Alli

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