1973. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Personally I do not particularly care for cliff hangers. I much prefer when the work actually concludes. The ending of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is appropriate because it makes the reader understand what true love is.
The ending of Romeo and Juliet is appropriate. Shakespeare does a beautiful job of concluding Romeo and Juliet. The ending does not leave you with questions. Romeo and Juliet die, the families discover that their feud was pointless. Case closed. There is nothing more. Shakespeare does not need to write Romeo and Juliet the sequel. If he had ended with Juliet raising the knife to stab herself or with Romeo walking into the mausoleum to his death that ending would have been inappropriate because you do not know the ending.
Next the ending of Romeo and Juliet proves that they were in what Shakespeare calls true love. For Shakespeare True love means that you will do anything to be with that person. Even when your families hate each other, as they do in Romeo and Juliet. In the cases of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet killed herself after realizing that Romeo has killed himself for her. This is the ultimate act of love because they would rather be dead than live without one another.
Finally for Shakespeare true love is a willingness to do anything for another person. Romeo and Juliet are good examples of what you should do or be willing to do when you truly love someone. He seems to be arguing that you should go to the ends of the universe and back for the person you love. He also argues that you should do this despite your situation. In Romeo and Juliet’s case their situation was that their families hated each other. Most people would have found it hard to love each other in such a difficult situation. Romeo and Juliet loved each other despite that. Shakespeare’s definition of true love is that you would do anything despite outside factors for that person and Romeo and Juliet made the ultimate sacrifice for each other.
In conclusion Shakespeare uses Romeo and Juliet to prove what his definition of true love is.
I think you are a bit confused as to how an introduction paragraph should be organized. I understand the point you are trying to make, but I suggest that you do an outline before you write. Your point is that Romeo and Juliet has a conclusion, and is not a cliffhanger, thus it is a satisfactory ending in every sense. You also forgot to state the techniques you are using in order to support your argument. These are vital in a thesis statement, and should be stated as clearly as possible. Your body paragraphs made some good points. I think you had some good ideas, you just needed to verify these a bit more with textual evidence and examples.
ReplyDeleteFor the AP exam, I do not think that such a casual introduction paragraph would be acceptable. You have great ideas here, I would just consider presenting them in a more formal manner appropriate for the exam. Once again, try to include more cited quotes to support your ideas, and also try to stay away from plot summary, however tempting it may be. Try to clearly state what techniques you will be using as well.
ReplyDeleteYour introduction shouldn't start out with you dissing the ending of a world renowed piece of literature. Thats just wrong. You're also very casual and somewhat frank in your essay which is okay if you'd turn it down a little. Yes, the AP folks want to see voice but you have to keep it to a professional level. You're also somewhat repetitive and choppy, the sentences stagnate sometimes from one to another which can really kill the fluency and sophistication of an essay.
ReplyDeleteOVerall, nice job though.