I have to do a literary essay on "Romeo and Juliet". My topic is, "Romeo's downfall was as a result of errors or mistakes he made in his judgement and the influence of fate.Discuss"

Please could you help me get a few ideas/points?

Here are some articles to read and study and take notes on:

http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/themes.html
Scroll down to find the section on Fate.

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/playanalysis/romeocommentary.html
Scroll down to find the section on Destiny.

http://www.englishforums.com/English/RomeoJulietMantleMistakesFeedback-CritiqueNeeded/mcrhg/post.htm
Scroll down to read about Romeo's errors; take notes, but do not copy (plagiarize).

I'd set up the paper like this:

I. Intro, including thesis statement
II. Romeo's mistakes (name them)
III. Romeo's mistakes explained
IV. Fate/Destiny - define and explain
V. Fate/Destiny in the play (Identify 3 or 4 places in the play where you see "fate" at work)
VI. Did fate cause Romeo to make his mistakes? (Explain your answer, using quotations from the play.)
VII. Conclusion

Follow the writing process, whether you're writing for science, history, English, or whatever:

Prewriting: Brainstorm, research, plan, outline, thesis statement

Writing: Write first draft by starting with section II of your outline; write the introduction after the body of the paper is written; write the conclusion last.

Polishing: Revise, concentrating first on the body of the paper, then the intro, then the concl (revision = making sure ideas are logical and sequential and support your thesis); proofread (spelling, grammar, usage, etc.)

Do you have a thesis yet? Have you done your brainstorming (and maybe research) yet? Have you written an outline?

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html#org
from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/catalogue.html

http://www.angelfire.com/wi/writingprocess/

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Check in the Essay & Research Paper Level.

Thank you so much!!

Yes, i have got a few points but they are not enough for 2.5 pages. But thank you for all that you have done.

You're very welcome. Go get an A!!

=)

Of course! To develop your essay on the topic of Romeo's downfall in "Romeo and Juliet" being a result of his own errors in judgement and the influence of fate, you can consider the following points and ideas:

1. Impulsive actions and hasty decisions: Romeo's impulsive behavior plays a significant role in his downfall. Analyze key moments where his impetuosity leads to unfavorable consequences, such as his decision to attend the Capulet party or his quick decision to marry Juliet without considering the consequences.

2. Poor communication and lack of understanding: Examine how Romeo's inability to effectively communicate with others, particularly Juliet, leads to misunderstandings and further exacerbates the tragic events in the play.

3. Influence of fate and coincidence: Explore the idea of fate as a driving force behind the events. Discuss instances where Romeo's actions align with predestined events, such as his encounter with Juliet at the Capulet's party or the timing of his banishment.

4. Familial and societal influences: Consider how Romeo's relationships with his family and the society he lives in contribute to his downfall. Analyze the role of the longstanding feud between the Montagues and Capulets and how societal expectations and pressures impact his decisions.

5. Lack of long-term thinking: Discuss Romeo's tendency to focus on momentary pleasure and his inability to consider the long-term consequences of his actions. This can be highlighted through his reckless pursuit of love and his involvement in violent conflicts.

Remember, these are just starting points. To provide a comprehensive analysis, you should explore specific examples from the play, provide textual evidence to support your points, and critically analyze the significance of these factors in the context of Romeo's downfall. Additionally, consider any counterarguments or opposing views to strengthen your essay's overall structure.