Question

Choose one of these texts to analyze:

"What the Doctor Ordered" (article on the efforts of an orchestra)
"The Lager Mercutio" (excerpt from Romeo and Juliet)
Which text did you choose and why? What is the author's purpose in the text? How do you know?

A) "What the Doctor Ordered" - I chose this text because I have an interest in music. The author's purpose is to highlight the positive impact of music on health, which is evident through examples in the text.
B) "The Lager Mercutio" - I chose this text because I'm interested in literature. The author's purpose is to present Mercutio's character in Romeo and Juliet, which is evident through the text's content.
C) "What the Doctor Ordered" - I chose this text because I'm interested in health. The author's purpose is to discuss medical treatments, as indicated in the text.
D) "The Lager Mercutio" - I chose this text because it seemed interesting. The author's purpose is unclear from the text.

Answer 1

The analysis discussed why 'The Lager Mercutio' from Romeo and Juliet was chosen, focusing on the multifaceted purpose of portraying Mercutio's character and exploring themes such as fate versus free will and the impact of feuds. It emphasizes the dynamic nature of literary analysis in understanding character development, themes, and societal commentary.

Step-by-step explanation:

Analysis of 'The Lager Mercutio' from Romeo and Juliet

I chose the excerpt 'The Lager Mercutio' from Romeo and Juliet because I have a passion for literature. Exploring Shakespeare's work not only meets the school curriculum requirements where every ninth-grade student studies a Shakespearean play, but it also allows me to delve into the depth of his characters and themes. The author's purpose in this text is to present Mercutio's intricate character, which is evident through his witty and eloquent dialogue. This portrayal of Mercutio is not only meant to entertain the audience but also to serve as a foil to Romeo, highlighting his romantic nature against Mercutio's pragmatic and often cynical worldview.

The author's purpose here appears to be multifaceted: to provide depth to his characters, to entertain the audience, and to use Mercutio's vibrant persona as a means to underscore and juxtapose Romeo's characteristics. By writing this text, Shakespeare also comments on the themes of fate versus free will and the foolishness of feuds, as Mercutio's fate is intertwined with the Capulet and Montague conflict. Understanding these elements requires being aware of the multiple interpretations that come from various productions of Romeo and Juliet, each offering a unique artistic concept.

In choosing to analyze this text, one could look at how the use of language shapes the audience's perception of the characters and the play's context. One might also choose to focus on specific themes such as loyalty, honor, or the tragic consequences of the character's actions, which emerge strongly in Mercutio's storyline. Through an analysis of this kind, we peel back layers of Shakespeare's writing to reveal not just the narrative but the societal and emotional commentary woven throughout the text.