Romeo and Juliet Literary Essay

 In life, we always make irrational decisions. Sometimes we are given a choice. Other times, we are not. These decisions may lead you to something more terrifying and unexpected. “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare shows a perfect example. Romeo and Juliet make the wrong decisions that don’t only affect them, but others too. “Romeo and Juliet” is filled with tragedies and romance. Shakespeare shows how wrong decision can cause major consequences.  

One decision Romeo and Juliet made was to get married. Marriage doesn’t sound detrimental. But it doesn’t sound great either if your parents are rivals. The Montagues (Romeo’s family) and the Capulets (Juliet’s family) were enemies for a very long time. Romeo and Juliet knew that perfectly but that didn’t stop them from getting married. Their love for each other led them to that decision and they believed marriage will keep them together forever. “As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, and all combined, save what thou must combine by holy marriage.” (2.3.63-65) so what Romeo is trying to say is that they are perfect for each other and they need to get married. They may be perfect for each other, but they should’ve thought about what might happen after they were married. Eventually, it all leads up to death. If Romeo and Juliet never met, they wouldn’t have been married. Romeo would probably still be sulking over Rosaline and Juliet will be married to Paris. Even though they don’t want that, it’s way better than losing your life. Even if they prefer death, I still think getting married was a bad decision.

Another bad decision Juliet made was drinking the vial instead of marrying Paris. She believed that after drinking the vial, everyone will think that she’s dead, Romeo will come for her, and her life will be perfect from then on. But things didn’t go as planned. Romeo wasn’t aware of her plan and when he found out she was“dead”, he killed himself. Juliet believed that marrying Paris would ruin her marriage with Romeo. “I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet, and when I do I swear it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris.” (3.5.125-128). Juliet doesn’t actually hate Romeo. She was talking to her mother and she didn’t want her mother to know that they were married. I don’t think the Capulets, nor the Montagues, would accept that fact that their children are married. So Lady Capulet thinks that her daughter despises Romeo. And Juliet claims that she’d rather marry Romeo, whom she “hates”, than Paris. And her hate for Romeo is just an excuse for not marrying Paris. And she only wanted to be with Romeo. Therefore, she drank the vial. If she didn’t, she would have been married to Paris. But there are many other ways she could’ve gotten out of it. She could’ve ran away or have Romeo pick her up when everyone’s asleep. Instead, she took a risk, and drank the vial, which led to something worse.

A decision Romeo made, that wasn’t so clever, was to kill himself, when he found Juliet “dead”. He didn’t know that she drank the vial, so when he thought she was dead, he poisoned himself. He chose to do this because he loves Juliet and his love for her pulled him towards that decision. He insisted that he’d stay with her forever; “For fear of that I still will stay with thee and never from this palace of dim night depart again. Here, here will I remain with worms that are thy chambermaids. O, here will I set up my everlasting rest.” (5.3.106-110) What Romeo is trying to say is that he will stay with her forever no matter how bad it is down there in the tomb. Not even fear can chase him out of there. Therefore, he killed himself so he can be with Juliet eternally. “Here’s to my love. [Drinking] O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.” (5.3. 119-120).  In my opinion, I think it was very kind of Romeo to take his life so he can be with Juliet. But at the same time, it’s unfortunate because she wasn’t really dead. If only she woke up in time.

Romeo and Juliet make decisions that turn out to be wrong, because their love for each other forces them into it. And these decisions may lead to more challenging choices. Romeo and Juliet decided to get married. Then that led to Juliet drinking the vial instead of marrying Paris. And that led to Romeo and Juliet killing themselves. They aren’t the only ones in the world that make mishandles decisions. Everyone does at least once in a life time. Even I made a few bad decisions. Some may be as serious and challenging as Romeo’s and Juliet’s. Others aren’t. But either way, everyone makes senseless choices.

Life As We Knew It

I’m reading a book called “life As We Knew It”. So far in this book Miranda a 16 year old is going through a lot. Her parents are divorced and her social life is not going so great.  Her dad got married to a girl half his age and is having a baby. Miranda doesn't like her dad’s new wife and she especially doesn't like the fact that there having a baby together. On the bright side her mom finally found a man that she really likes, peter. She also has two brothers Matt and Johnny. Johnny is obsessed with baseball and is a little self fish. Matt on the other hand is a smart positive that’s been sent out to collage. Miranda’s life changed when a meteor hit the moon. The meteor hit the moon so hard it got closer to earth. As it got closer the tides rose and tsunami hit. Thunderstorms hit and gas prices rose. Now Miranda has no electricity and has over a hundred cans of food in her kitchen. She did meet a boy named Dan. Eventually her mom stopped trusting her and Miranda is furious that her mom wouldn't let her go out. All in all Miranda’s life turned upside down.

                Miranda’s is confused about her new boyfriend because she really likes him but her mom does not approve. Miranda wants to stay with Dan but she knows that her mom is worried that Dan is using her. Miranda’s mom warned her about giving away food. Miranda’s mom told her that the only thing that matters is family. Miranda of course ignores are and still hangs out with Dan. If I was in a situation where I was in apocalypse, the only thing I will be worried about is my family. I’m guessing Miranda hasn't realized that, or maybe she’s in “love”.  A complex thing that Miranda is going through is that she can only eat once a day. Miranda and her family want to save food because they now that they will run out.  I feel bad for her family because they have to suffer through starvation. I can’t last one day without eating at least twice.

The Bully

I’m reading a book called “The Bully”. So far in this book a boy named Darrell who just moved from the projects to California is having a hard time getting adjusted. He had to start fresh and that didn’t work out so well. A new school, new home and a new bully that won’t stop bugging him. Darrel can’t even walk by himself to get some milk. His bully will charge Darrell. He told him to give him 10 dollars a day if he wants the bully to stop harassing him. But that still didn’t stop him. He spread rumors, humiliated him in front of class. Darrell did though meet a girl. She was a sweet girl that had a crush on Darrell. Darrell’s heart was broken after the girl rejected him because of a rumor the bully spread. After a few months of wrestling classes Darrell stood up for himself. No more rumors, harassment, and pay days. All in all he got the girl of his dreams and doesn’t have a bully harassing him any chance he has. Darrell’s life turned around.
     One complex thing that happened in the story is when the bully ruined Darrell’s love life. He told the girl of his dreams a false rumor about how Darrell was a man slut. This is complex because the only thing that got him into a good mood is Claudia (Darrell’s crush). He had no father, a broke mother and a bully. She’s the only person that got him through the day. When his bully told her a false rumor she wouldn't hang out with Darrell anymore.  I think the only reason why Tyral bullied Darrell was because he wanted to let out his anger onto him. I also think he likes Claudia because in the book it states that Tyral will always give Darrell a devious look whenever he’s with Claudia. 
While I was reading this book I noticed another important conflict. He didn't have a dad. It’s a small detail that was mentioned but I noticed a lot of things that were related to this detail. Like for instance he had to cry himself to sleep everyday because his dad left. His dad had a high paying job that supported the family. Also in my opinion I think that a dad’s responsibility is mostly motivation. Whenever Darrell is down he needed a dad to pick him right up. A dad is supposed to be at his son’s games and teach life lessons and not beating his wife senseless after drinking.  Sadly he didn’t have a dad. No one could protect him accept for himself. 
In conclusion Darrell’s life didn’t turn out the way he wanted. He had a broken heart, poor family and no dad to stand by him. Eventually he stood up for himself and his life twisted around. 

Shawn White arrested

I read an article about Shawn White. He was arrested for pulling the fire alarm. He was in a hotel in New York City. He took 11 shots of vodka and got wasted. He then thought it will be funny to pull the fire alarm. He ran across the hall and pulled it. When they found out there was no fire the guards chased him outside he hoped into the taxi but the taxi driver wouldn’t drive. He punched White and gave him a black eye. He was charged with assault. All in all it turns out Shawn White is not the person I thought he was.  

                I always thought that White was a good sporty guy. I never knew that Shawn will ever do such a thing. I also noticed that most celebrities take advantage of others and there life. They always turn out a innocent famous person into a druggy. I also learned a lot of new things like what happens to celebrity these days. I also learned that Shawn White was bailed out of jail. I also heard that they cut the bail by a little because he was a celebrity. I don’t see why being a celebrity changes the fact that they get a free pass on anything. Also there is always someone that can bail a celebrity out. Allot of times when someone gets arrested it ruins there whole life. There family, career and ect. But for a celebrtity it will just pass in a week. They will have a free pass and it will be like nothing happened.

                I also noticed that fame can twist your whole life to another path. For example Jimmy Hendrix wanted to become a lawyer. He went to law school, and went to the army after his parents died. But fame got him to a place where he experiences drugs and alcohol.  He also never went to law school like he planned and lost his life at a young age. Hendrix died at age 26. In my opinion I don’t think that Shawn wanted to be the guy punched by a taxi drives right after breaking the law.

                In conclusion fame can lead you to another life. I also learned a lot about celebrities and how they are changed by fame.  

Teenage Suicide

I’m reading a book called “teenage suicide” by Peggy J. Parks”. So far in this book I learned important facts that will help me in the children’s book project. This book shows me different reasons why tens take their own lives. It also taught me what causes teenagers to committing suicide. Also this book taught me that more males commit suicide then girls. Teenagers kill themselves in different ways. This book gave me the information I need for later assignments and projects. I also learned that more teenagers consider committing suicide then actually attempting.

Some of the facts I did learn were more females consider committing suicide then male but males actually commit suicide. Females attempt to commit suicide more than males but they do not succeed. Men mostly use firearms and falls more than using suffocation and poisoning. Bullying is mostly what causes suicide, also depression. All in this entire book will help me a lot on my assignments and my recent project.

While I was reading this book I noticed a very important topic. I noticed that there is a way to prevent teenagers from committing suicide. Parents should be more concerned about there children’s social life. Parents also should get closer with their child by talking to them, helping them with homework or just have fun with your child. Also if your child is getting bullied you should talk to the principle.

Another important topic is that how do you know that your child is considering to commit suicide. First thing you want to look at is there grades. If you see your child’s grades sinking that’s a sign. Also if the child isn’t into any activity and not playing around with other kids is a sign of suicide. Also make sure your child is not stressed. Also your child might start cleaning a particular area for example their rooms. If your child is not acting normal or gave up in life that might show depression and that will lead to suicide.

In conclusion I learned that a lot of kids take their lives because of a problem that they think they can’t fix. Such as bullying, abuse and depression. Kids die from suicide almost every day, and my goal is to reduce this problem. Also this book will help me in the future. All in all I hope that I can help save teenagers lives.

No Women No Cry

I’m reading a story on bob marleys wife. The book is called No Women No Cry by Rita Marley.  This story tells me about how she lived in Jamaica her whole life. She went through a lot. Her mom passed away, and she had to live with her mean grandmother. They both went through poverty. They lived in a neighborhood where you would here gun shots every night. Later on she began a reggae band. She sang in cafes and restaurants. Later on she met the Waller brothers the band Bob Marley was in. they both made a song together. They started going out and eventually they got married. They had eight kids. They both became famous. They both sang together in all sorts of countries. Bob had a viral disease and he had to take 6 pounds of marijuana every week. One day bob was playing soccer and he had a foot injury. It was against his religion to get surgery. Eventually it got infected really badly and he passed away at 26 years old.

Rita Marley was a woman that went through drugs, poverty and living in a really bad neighborhood. I think that Rita wanted to live in ghetto places because she mentioned how she loved to be around her friends. Her friends did drugs and one of them was arrested for murder. Maybe she just got used to the ghetto neighborhood that she thinks that she likes hanging out with those kinds of people. Also her mom was addicted to crack cocaine. One day they were going through bankrupt that her mom decided to committing suicide by overdosing. I think that Rita likes to hang out with people that are bad influence on her because of her mom, but on the other hand her dad did leave her. The grandma hit Rita and abused her brothers. Rita also mentioned that singing helps her get away from all the stuff that’s going around her. 

Brother's in Arms

I just finished a book called “brothers in arms” made by the bluford series. In this book a boy named Martin Luna has lost his little brother. A bunch of teenage boys where driving in a black car. As they past martin’s brother one of them pulled out a gun a shot him straight into the chest. Martin watched his brother go down.  Martin wants revenge. His mom is trying everything to stop him. She even transferred him to another school. But that didn’t stop him from hanging out with his friends that smoke and carry around guns. Martin and his friends were looking for the guy who shot his brother for months. When they finally found the guy, Martin’s mom found out. He got kicked out of his house. He moved in with his friends and bought a gun.

                I think the reason why he is wants to get revenge because of the friends he hangs out with. Also I think it can be the parents. I don’t think the guy shot the boy for no reason I think he thought it was another person.  Or maybe the little brother did something but on the other hand he is only 8 years old. Martin’s brother died for no reason. I also think that its Martins fault for not letting him hang out with him. If the mom transferred him earlier I don’t think that his brother wouldn’t of have gotten shot.

                In real life little kids lose their lives when there exposed to bad environments. All in all children get killed because of their friends and parents.

                

The Gun

I’m reading a book called “The Gun” by the Buford series. In this book so far a young freshman was picked by a bully named Tyron. Tyron pushed and shoved Darnell. He would tell him to meet him after school every day so Darnel will give him money so he wouldn’t bully him in school. Finally Darnell got sick of Tyron and decided to go to wrestling program at his school. One day Tyron tried picking a fight with darnel because he didn’t pay him. Darnell through Tyron down and Tyron got a broken wrist. Everyone lost respect for Tyron and everyday he will be laughed at because of the incident. Tyron got sick of it and starting saving up. He then fell in love with a girl and then went behind her back and asked her for money. He told her he wanted to by his mom a necklace for her birthday but instead decided to buy a small silver revolver. Later on she found out he won’t be paying her back. One night he hid behind the bushes to take down Darrell and end it all.

Tyron had lots of troubles with his family. His dad ran away with a waitress and his mom is addicted to all kind of drugs. He has no money. I think it’s the parent’s fault that Tyron turned into a bully and stealing people’s money. Or maybe he just wanted to be a cool kid and do drugs and rob people. I think his dad made him like this mostly because the dad showed that it’s alright to run away with another woman when he was a wife.  Tyron must have felt embarrassed that everyone looks at him as a wimp. But at the same time it doesn’t mean he needs to buy a gun. It’s not going to solve anything. He wants to show that he is a tuff guy and a kid he bullied won’t get away with beating him up.

In real life people get bullied and the bully will get a taste f its own medicine. Also in real life there are people that are willing to buy a gun just to prove a point or to show that s/he is the tuff guy.

All in all Tyron shouldn’t have bought a gun to show people that he is a tuff guy. 

Money Hungry

I just finished a book called Money Hungry. This book was about I girl who used to live in the projects and then moved into a nice little neighborhood. She was poor and money was all she had. She will always save up and never spend it because she is used to the life in the projects were she had no money. Know she is selling erasers, pencils and other school supplies. She usually rips people off but she makes lots of money. She will always say if you spent money then it will be gone. She is obsessed with money. Every penny she has will go straight into her piggy bank. She will always try to get a little job with her friends like cleaning people’s houses of mowing there lawns.  Her friends will sometimes not go with her to clean houses because they will think it’s pathetic. She chose money over friends so she will always ditch them for a low paid job. All in all at the end she sees that she is losing her friends so she starts hanging out with them more instead of chasing around pathetic and low paid jobs.

                In my opinion I think 13 year old girls shouldn't worry about money as much. They should try to get a good education and have fun. I understand that she used to live in the projects and she used to always worry about money because her father left them and her mom had a very low paid job. So on the other hand she might be thinking that she doesn’t want to turn out like her mom. No job, no husband and living in the projects. But on the other hand maybe she is used to being so poor that she has to save up money. But I still do think that kids shouldn’t worry about money that much. Maybe she just wants to seem more grown up. I think it’s pathetic that a little 13 year old is obsessed with money. I also noticed throughout the book she is losing her education. Her grades are going down and her friends are starting to lose interest in her. The sad thing is she doesn’t even realize that she’s losing everything for just a few bucks. It’s also sad that all that hard work, cleaning houses, mowing lawns and selling useless things is not going to support you when you grow up.

                I think that it’s the parent’s fault that she is obsessed with money. I think that because her parents made there see that it’s going to be hard to support children and herself. She got all worked up that she thinks that she is going to be homeless because she won’t have any money. Or maybe she is sad that her dad left her and by saving money it makes her feel better by knowing that she doesn’t need a husband when she can support herself. All in all her childhood should have been better and her parents ruined it.

                In real life little kids live in the streets and can’t be supported. Like her she lived in the project with almost no support. A lot of kids live in the project because of their parents.

Am I Blue By Bruce Coville

I’m read a short story called “am I blue” by Bruce Coville. This short story is about a boy named Vince he was bullied by a boy named Butch Carrigan. He pushed him into puddles and beated him senseless. “You little fruit” he would say. Then came along his gay fairy god father. He guided him through of what Vince is gay or straight. The godfather told him he has three wishes. After a while Vince was convinced that he really is a fairy godfather. Vanishing stains, and changing regular coffee into Swiss double mocha. His fairy godfather granted him three wishes. His fairy godfather talked to him about how he was like him, getting bullied and being curious. After a while the godfather took him to a tour showing peoples true colors by turning them blue if there gay. Some people had shades of blue others were dark blue. Vince realized that some people are gay and some people have a hint of it without even noticing. All in all Vince finally found out his true colors.

Vince went through a lot. Getting bullied for something he doesn't even now is right. He didn’t know if he was gay but people still bullied him because of what they thought.

“You little fruit” he snarled. “I’ll teach you to look at me!” a moment or two later he had given me my lesson.

In that little phrase it shows that Vince is being called gay and getting bullied for it. Vince doesn't knows if he’s gay but people still bully him. I think that maybe the bully is gay and puts it out on Vince because he is smaller than him. Or maybe butch isn’t gay he is just homophobic. I think that butch is a little gay but didn’t realize it. I noticed that Vince is not defending himself by saying that he’s not gay. Also I noticed that he said he had given me my lesson. I think that when he is saying that he could be saying that butch taught him his lesson for being gay. But when the fairy godfather came he said that he didn’t know if he was gay or not. In the text it clearly states “he had dark hair, a neat mustache, and a sweater slung over his shoulders. He was kind of handsome almost pretty.” In those two sentences it states that Vince thought that the godfather is handsome and pretty, that kind of shows he was feelings for men.

Vince either grew up being gay or maybe something happened to him in his early childhood that made him confused. They didn’t mention anything about the parents in the passage so maybe Vince has gay parents or something affected him because of his parents.

In real life lots of kids don’t know who they are. They are curious and are confused. Some kids already know if they are straight, gay or bi, but others still don’t know. A lot of kids can relate to Vince in real life.

All in all Vince doesn't know what he is and his fairy godfather is trying to guide him through it.

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh By Ray Bradbury

We are reading a book is called “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury.  A 14 year old boy named Joby ran away from his family and went to war. He only had a drum and 2 sticks. He cried and sobbed because he was afraid to go to war. The general then came along and spotted him crying. “Why it’s the drummer boy, isn’t it” he said. The general thought he was just a boy who ran away, until they started to talk. “You want to cry some more, go on ahead. I did the same last night” he would say. Joby thought he is useless that he didn’t matter as much. The general will tell him you are the heart of the army, if he beat slow the heart of the men will beat slowly. If he beat fast the soldier’s legs will stand up straight. The general even admitted that war is wrong. The general convinced Joby that he is not just part of the army he’s the heart of the army.

Joby is really brave to go to war at only 14 years old. In my opinion I understand why he was so afraid and thought that he was meaningless. All he does is play the drums. The general proved to him that he is the heart of the battle. I think Joby thought he was meaningless and useless to the army because he didn’t fight like all the other soldiers did. Also I think joby thought that all he does is beat a drum with sticks. For example in the short story it clearly states “me, I’m the one, I’m the one of all the rest who won’t die. I’ll live through it. I’ll go home”.  That clearly states that he will not die like the soldiers because the soldiers actually fight in war and get shot at. He feels useless for not actually fighting in war. But on the other hand Joby does describe how he has a better chance of dying because he only has a drum and two sticks and no shield. Everyone has a shield accept the drummer boys. I think that Joby is starting to think about his family and how much he loves them. He doesn’t want to die and never see his parents again, or maybe he doesn’t care as much because he did run away from his family. But in the text it stated “the boy felt his family moves yet farther off in the dark, as if one of those great trains had chanted them away”. All, in all Joby is afraid and thinks that he is useless in the battle. In real life people go to war and have to leave there family’s like Joby did.

My Favorite Book Entry

One of my favorite book is “The Child Called It”. In this book there was a mom that loved all of her children. She took them to the Water Park and lakes. She treated each son equally. One day she just snapped at one of the boys, the youngest one. She didn’t let him talk to his brothers and every morning he had to do chores for his mom. She forced him to sleep in the basement and eat left over cereal from his brother’s bowl.  At one point she starved him so much he started to steal food from his classmates. When the mom found out she flipped. She punched and slapped him. He started to steal food from the store and steal raw meat from the cafeteria. When he came home the mom will stick her fingers into his mouth until he vomited. She then forced him to eat the vomit. The only food she gave him was poop from his younger brother’s diaper. This book is really sad and depressing. The mom has rights to discipline her children if they did something bad, but starving them, beating them senseless, and even stabbing them is going too far. The saddest part about it is that the dad new but didn’t do anything about it. He just left her and his family. It’s sad knowing that this really happened. I think the mom beats her child because of something that happened in her childhood, or maybe she just decided that it will be fun to get drunk every morning and abuse her child. I’m guessing the dad left because he didn’t want to be part of it, but at least take his child with him and away from his abusive mom. He just left without telling anyone. Maybe he was afraid of his wife. The little boy still thought his mom loved him after the mom harassed him. Its sad knowing that in real life a lot of little kids get harassed by their parents.