Why do a mock trial of Romeo (and Juliette)?
It can be argued that Romeo and Juliette is the most romantic story in the English language.
Even those who have not read, seen it performed or even viewed it as a film know of this story. The sweet Juliette comes of age in three days to discover true love, strife and then death. We love her right from the beginning; and Romeo, his enthusiasm and zeal finding this powerful emotion of love at first sight with Juliette, endears him to us. We all know the basics of the story that Romeo and Juliette fall in love then, unfortunately, die at the end. As a side note, for about seventy years, the play was enacted with a happy ending wherein Friar Lawrence's plan of Juliette's sleeping in the tomb until Romeo comes to her was enjoyed. However, such an ending didn't have the emotionally cleansing effect that the originally written version did. There is a theory that crying over a sad story allows us to release our own sorrowful emotions that we tend to bottle up.
But for our trial's sake, we are going to use the ending in which Romeo and Juliette live. Why? Because we want Romeo to account for two possible crimes: The killing of Tybalt and the killing of Paris.
Because Tybalt killed Romeo's friend Mercutio, Romeo killed Tybalt. Later, towards the end of the play, Romeo and Paris get into a fight which causes the death of Paris. Both cases were probably self-defense; nevertheless, Romeo did kill Tybalt and then Paris so he needs to answer these charges.
It can be argued that Romeo and Juliette is the most romantic story in the English language.
Even those who have not read, seen it performed or even viewed it as a film know of this story. The sweet Juliette comes of age in three days to discover true love, strife and then death. We love her right from the beginning; and Romeo, his enthusiasm and zeal finding this powerful emotion of love at first sight with Juliette, endears him to us. We all know the basics of the story that Romeo and Juliette fall in love then, unfortunately, die at the end. As a side note, for about seventy years, the play was enacted with a happy ending wherein Friar Lawrence's plan of Juliette's sleeping in the tomb until Romeo comes to her was enjoyed. However, such an ending didn't have the emotionally cleansing effect that the originally written version did. There is a theory that crying over a sad story allows us to release our own sorrowful emotions that we tend to bottle up.
But for our trial's sake, we are going to use the ending in which Romeo and Juliette live. Why? Because we want Romeo to account for two possible crimes: The killing of Tybalt and the killing of Paris.
Because Tybalt killed Romeo's friend Mercutio, Romeo killed Tybalt. Later, towards the end of the play, Romeo and Paris get into a fight which causes the death of Paris. Both cases were probably self-defense; nevertheless, Romeo did kill Tybalt and then Paris so he needs to answer these charges.
The story opens with Romeo pining for a maid called Rosalyn. Rosalyn is described by Romeo as beautiful but is committed to becoming a nun which has a dampening effect on Romeo's hormones. However, it only takes a quick look at Juliette at a party for Romeo to switch romantic desires. Juliette is likewise smitten with Romeo so in minutes, they make a connection. Later that evening, in Juliette's garden, with the help of some moonlight, they fall deeply in love and are ready to set a wedding date. But of course things happen.
Tybalt, Juliette's cousin, and Romeo wind up in that aforementioned clash of swords that causes Tybalt's demise. So, as punishment, Romeo is banished from Verona by the Prince – No more Juliette. No more wedding. Romeo is off to Mantua to pout; Juliette is doubly depressed for the death of her cousin Tybalt but more so for losing her new husband, Romeo.
To fix all this misery, a well meaning but bumbling Friar (Lawrence), makes a desperate plan involving a sleeping potion, a tomb and a never delivered letter. Add, Paris in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you have the underpinnings of this romantic tragedy.
Romeo, with two charges of murder, or at least dueling needs to have his name cleared or punished. In any case, Romeo needs an attorney.
Tybalt, Juliette's cousin, and Romeo wind up in that aforementioned clash of swords that causes Tybalt's demise. So, as punishment, Romeo is banished from Verona by the Prince – No more Juliette. No more wedding. Romeo is off to Mantua to pout; Juliette is doubly depressed for the death of her cousin Tybalt but more so for losing her new husband, Romeo.
To fix all this misery, a well meaning but bumbling Friar (Lawrence), makes a desperate plan involving a sleeping potion, a tomb and a never delivered letter. Add, Paris in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you have the underpinnings of this romantic tragedy.
Romeo, with two charges of murder, or at least dueling needs to have his name cleared or punished. In any case, Romeo needs an attorney.