SHAKESPEARE WEBQUEST

INTRODUCTION:

In many of Shakespeare's plays characters fall in love at first sight. Is true love, culminating in marriage, a result of chance or is it best achieved through choice? One Middle Eastern father says, "When you want to buy a car, you want the best and shop around until you get it. You don't just pick it up on a whim. You can't pick up a wife or a husband in the name of love while ignoring the qualities of intellectual, cultural, and social compatibility." Those who are romantics, would argue that love is based on chance. A meeting that "sweeps one off their feet" to the point, that all that was before becomes insignificant. To quote Juliet, "... if thou will now be but sworn my love... I'll no longer be a Capulet.". These are obviously two very different points of view. In this web quest, you will reread passages from Romeo and Juliet, download two articles on arranged marriages in contemporary society, and examine a synopsis of the film, Flower Drum Song.

Upon completion, you will then compose an essay comparing marriages based on love (chance) to those prearranged (choice). Develop a thesis and support it with references to the above sites, using specific evidence. The content of your paper should reflect, unity, coherence, and the use of the proper mechanics.

TASK ONE:

Reread the following passages from Romeo and Juliet:

Act 1:1 (156-235)

Act 1:2 (1-33)

Act 1:3 (1-99)

Act 1:5 (44-53) (92-110)

Consider the following questions when reviewing these scenes in Act 1.

• What are your impressions of Romeo's feelings for Rosaline?

• Describe Romeo.

• What character traits of Juliet's father and mother are revealed in these lines?

• What does Juliet reveal about herself during her conversations with her mother and the nurse?

• When does Romeo's attitude towards Rosaline change drastically and what causes that change?

• In line 44-53, Romeo asks "Did my heart love till now?" how would you answer this question?

Act 2:2 (1-185)

Consider the following question when reviewing this scene:

• How have these two young lovers been changed by this chance meeting?

Act 2:3 (31-95)

Consider these questions when reviewing this scene:

• What doubts and fears does the Friar have about Romeo's proposal and why does he finally accept the proposal?

• Compare the emotional nature of Romeo with the rational nature of Friar Laurence.

TASK TWO:

Download the following two sites which deal with arranged marriages -

• Love, Honour and Obey? - arranged teenage marriages in Australia.

  http://www.pastoralnet.net.au/alt/feb97/arranged.html

• First Comes Marriage, then Comes Love – by Ira Mather, India

  http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/3321/win4a.htm

Read and take relevant notes that will aid you in completion of your essay. Compare the reasoning set forth for arranged marriages versus the romanticized chance love of Romeo and Juliet. Analyze authority figures/parental views as presented in the play and in the readings. Find support for your point of view and document pertinent information.

Points to consider:

• Does real love flow from a properly arranged union between two individuals or is love determined solely by chance an emotion?

• Do arranged marriages violate human rights?

TASK THREE:

For a light-hearted look that combines both the elements of an arranged marriage and romanticized love go to:

http://www.movie-musicals.com/shows/fdsong.html

This will give you a brief synopsis of Rogers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song. Then proceed to nearest video store or local library and view this video which will leave you singing and dancing to the angst of arranged marriage and love. Reminder- don't forget the popcorn!

THE ESSAY:

Now that you have completed all three tasks, write a unified essay which expresses your opinion on marriages. You are to develop a thesis stating whether you believe arranged marriages or marriages based on love are best. Support your point of view by incorporating the information you have received from the sites in this webquest. Information from each site must be utilized. The content of your paper should reflect unity, coherence, and the use of proper mechanics.