Literature | High school » Romeo and Juliet, Dream Analysis Paper

Dream Analysis Paper In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, there is much talk of dreams and what they symbolize. While Mercutio believes that dreams are the "children of an idle brain/Begot of nothing but vain fantasy" (I.iv104-105), Romeo believes they are symbols of fate, as he feels uneasy after dreaming of some misfortune the night prior to his attending the Capulet's party. Romeo talks of “some consequence yet hanging in the stars/.some vile forfeit of untimely death" (Iiv114-118) Though this play may be a work of fiction, we sometimes can't help but wonder if our dreams really can provide insight and understanding into our lives, especially if we find ourselves caught up in the same dream repeatedly. In this class, you will get an opportunity to interpret your dreams. You will be given time to discuss with a partner some of the craziest dreams that you can remember. Use any class time given to talk through your dreams and use the online dream

dictionaries to find out what your dream may mean. Remember: you are the expert when it comes to your life, so don’t let these interpretations be the final say, but rather look at them as a way to explore the thoughts in your subconscious mind. Have fun! Instructions: 1. After you have written a detailed dream journal with at least three entries, visit the assignment section of the English I website. Here you will find the requirements of the assignment, the rubric, an exemplar and a link to a dream interpretation website. Feel free to use other sites if the one provided does not meet your needs, but cite the information correctly in your paper and a works cited page. 2. These meanings are in no way the final say in what YOUR dream means, but it will hopefully inspire you to explore and offer a suggestive starting point for understanding your own dreams. 3. It may be helpful to highlight the elements of your dream that really stand out (objects, feelings, colors, etc). Once you

have done this, search the specific elements and try to make connections to your life. Write down the interpretation that is offered from the dream dictionary website Once you have done this, see if the interpretation is in any way a reflection of things happening in your life right now. Write a minimum of a one page analysis of your dream. Use proper MLA format A. Part I: Write about a recent dream you had. This can be the dreams you discussed and researched in class or a dream that you just recently had. (if your original writing was stream of consciousness, transform it into complete sentences) B. Part II: Apply the interpretations from the website to your dream and offer an analysis C. Part III: Reflect upon your dream analysis experience Was it helpful? Confusing? Pointless? Do you agree with Mercutio’s opinion of dreams (see above) or, like Romeo, do you believe that if we study our dreams carefully, we can use them as a guide to understanding our life? Explain