This was written for English class on Wednesday night. We're studying Romeo and Juliet in English class; the play and the movie (with Leonardo DiCaprio)!
Task: Pretend you are Juliet. Write a diary entry about what she felt prior to drinking the liquid that caused her to appear dead. Take on your character. Use formal language.
Juliet's Soliloquy
With emerald green eyes that drown in cruel misgiving, I gaze at the trembling hand that apprehensively clutches a miniature vial. A vial containing a liquid that, all at once, sparks a flame of faith within my adoring heart, and yet brutally sweeps pallor across my sweat-stained face. I breathe unsteadily, fearing the occurrences that could befall me should I consume the liquid within this vial. But then I recall the inevitable ill-fate I would fall victim to should I allow fear to manipulate my choice; the ill-fate that would befall me should I pour the vial's substance into my polished sink to never again be considered.
What if this mixture proves ineffective? Would destiny truly be so cruel as to render me a wife tomorrow morning? I yearn not to marry for the sake of anyone but myself and my sweetheart...for no rationale other than that of sincere love. I yearn not to endure a fate that is surely far worse than death, for without my Romeo I cannot breathe; thus I clearly cannot live.
But then again, what if this vial contains a deadly poison, which the friar deviously bestowed upon me, to ensure that I fall dead tonight? Without a doubt, the friar, deemed a holy man among fair Verona, could fear dishonour's wrath as a result of wedding dear Romeo and I. But I am certain the Reaper's eerie, skeletal hands appeal far more than the repulsive address: Missus Paris.
And yet another fretful scenario could transpire; how if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo arrives to redeem me? Would I then join my hushed ancestors? Would I fall lifeless and pale at suffocation's violent hands, in the vault amongst my ancestors? Or would my recently deceased kinsman grace me with an unpleasant visit, vile vengeance and fury fuelling his actions? Would dear Tybalt ruthlessly batter my desperate brains? Would he strike me down till my death was no longer a lie? However, whether suffocation or murder brought about my cruel end, I would eternally be cursed in the life hereafter to weep for my dearest that appeared too late!
And yet such a fate as death seems tame when compared to the mere thought of becoming Paris' bride, let alone truly becoming Missus Paris. I taste hot bile churning its way up my throat at such notions. I would wail without my dear Romeo; I would choke without my dear Romeo; and so I would meet a fatal farewell without that of my dear Romeo. My eyes, now weighed down by faithful determination, are fixed on the fingers that remove the vial's cork-like lid. And so with undying love, I raise this vial. My dear Romeo, I drink to thee!
My friends loved this, and my English teacher, Miss Cliffe, loved it so much she asked me for permission to read it to the class as an example! This is her review of it: 'Well done, Laura! You did an utterly superb job of expressing Juliet's emotions. Very mature writing.' She also pointed out a few lines she particularly loved (eg. 'But I am certain the Reaper's eerie, skeletal hands appeal far more than the repulsive address: Missus Paris.') I got so excited by all this! Anyway, please review! I hope you enjoyed this shot as much as I loved writing it!