Take thou that:Live, and be prosperous: and farewell, good fellow. BALTHASAR Aside For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt. RetiresROMEOThou detestable maw, thou womb of death,Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food!Opens the tomb Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMPARISThis is that banish'd haughty Montague,That murder'd my love's cousin, with which grief,It is supposed, the fair creature died;And here is come to do some villanous shameTo the dead bodies: I will apprehend him. Comes forwardStop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!Can vengeance be pursued further than death?Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee:Obey, and go with me; for thou must die. ROMEOI must indeed; and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man;Fly hence, and leave me: think upon these gone;Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth,Put not another sin upon my head,By urging me to fury: O, be gone!By heaven, I love thee better than myself;For I come hither arm'd against myself:Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say,A madman's mercy bade thee run away. PARISI do defy thy conjurations,And apprehend thee for a felon here. ROMEOWilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!They fightPAGEO Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch. ExitPARISO, I am slain!FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMDiesROMEOIn faith, I will. Let me peruse this face. Mercutio's kinsman, noble County Paris!What said my man, when my betossed soulDid not attend him as we rode?


Then have at thee, boy!They fightPAGEO Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch. ExitPARISO, I am slain!FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMDiesROMEOIn faith, I will. Let me peruse this face. Mercutio's kinsman, noble County Paris!What said my man, when my betossed soulDid not attend him as we rode? I thinkHe told me Paris should have married Juliet:Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,To think it was so? O, give me thy hand,One writ with me in sour misfortune's book!I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave;A grave? O no! A lantern, slaughter'd youth,For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makesThis vault a feasting presence full of light. Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interr'd. Laying PARIS in the tombHow oft when men are at the point of deathHave they been merry! Which their keepers callA lightning before death: O, how may ICall this a lightning? O my love! My wife!Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath,Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yetIs crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,And death's pale flag is not advanced there. Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?O, what more favour can I do to thee,Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twainTo sunder his that was thine enemy?Forgive me, cousin! Ah, dear Juliet,Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believeThat unsubstantial death is amorous,And that the lean abhorred monster keepsThee here in dark to be his paramour?For fear of that, I still will stay with thee;And never from this palace of dim nightDepart again: here, here will I remainWith worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, hereWill I set up my everlasting rest,And shake the yoke of inauspicious starsFrom this world-wearied flesh.


My wife!Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath,Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yetIs crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,And death's pale flag is not advanced there. Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?O, what more favour can I do to thee,Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twainTo sunder his that was thine enemy?Forgive me, cousin! Ah, dear Juliet,Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believeThat unsubstantial death is amorous,And that the lean abhorred monster keepsThee here in dark to be his paramour?For fear of that, I still will stay with thee;And never from this palace of dim nightDepart again: here, here will I remainWith worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, hereWill I set up my everlasting rest,And shake the yoke of inauspicious starsFrom this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last!Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O youThe doors of breath, seal with a righteous kissA dateless bargain to engrossing death!Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!Thou desperate pilot, now at once run onThe dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMHere's to my love!DrinksO true apothecary!Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. DiesEnter, at the other end of the churchyard, FRIAR LAURENCE, with a lantern, crow, andspadeFRIAR LAURENCESaint Francis be my speed! How oft to-nightHave my old feet stumbled at graves! Who's there?BALTHASARHere's one, a friend, and one that knows you well. FRIAR LAURENCEBliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,What torch is yond, that vainly lends his lightTo grubs and eyeless skulls?


How oft to-nightHave my old feet stumbled at graves! Who's there?BALTHASARHere's one, a friend, and one that knows you well. FRIAR LAURENCEBliss be upon you! Tell me, good my friend,What torch is yond, that vainly lends his lightTo grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,It burneth in the Capel's monument. BALTHASARIt doth so, holy sir; and there's my master,One that you love. FRIAR LAURENCEWho is it?BALTHASARRomeo. FRIAR LAURENCEHow long hath he been there?BALTHASARFull half an hour. FRIAR LAURENCEGo with me to the vault. BALTHASAR Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMI dare not, sirMy master knows not but I am gone hence;And fearfully did menace me with death,If I did stay to look on his intents. FRIAR LAURENCEStay, then; I'll go alone. Fear comes upon me:O, much I fear some ill unlucky thing. BALTHASARAs I did sleep under this yew-tree here,I dreamt my master and another fought,And that my master slew him. FRIAR LAURENCERomeo!AdvancesAlack, alack, what blood is this, which stainsThe stony entrance of this sepulchre?What mean these masterless and gory swordsTo lie discolour'd by this place of peace?Enters the tombRomeo! O, pale! Who else? What, Paris too?And steep'd in blood? Ah, what an unkind hourIs guilty of this lamentable chance!The lady stirs. JULIET wakesJULIETO comfortable friar! Where is my lord?I do remember well where I should be,And there I am. Where is my Romeo?Noise withinFRIAR LAURENCEI hear some noise. Lady, come from that nestOf death, contagion, and unnatural sleep:A greater power than we can contradictHath thwarted our intents. Come, come away. Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead;And Paris too.


Where is my Romeo?Noise withinFRIAR LAURENCEI hear some noise. Lady, come from that nestOf death, contagion, and unnatural sleep:A greater power than we can contradictHath thwarted our intents. Come, come away. Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead;And Paris too. Come, I'll dispose of theeAmong a sisterhood of holy nuns:Stay not to question, for the watch is coming; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMCome, go, good Juliet,Noise againI dare no longer stay. JULIETGo, get thee hence, for I will not away. Exit FRIAR LAURENCEWhat's here? A cup, closed in my true love's hand?Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end:O churl! Drunk all, and left no friendly dropTo help me after? I will kiss thy lips;Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,To make die with a restorative. Kisses himThy lips are warm. First Watchman Within Lead, boy: which way?JULIETYea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die. Falls on ROMEO's body, and diesEnter Watch, with the Page of PARISPAGEThis is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. First WatchmanThe ground is bloody; search about the churchyard:Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. Pitiful sight!


I will kiss thy lips;Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,To make die with a restorative. Kisses himThy lips are warm. First Watchman Within Lead, boy: which way?JULIETYea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die. Falls on ROMEO's body, and diesEnter Watch, with the Page of PARISPAGEThis is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. First WatchmanThe ground is bloody; search about the churchyard:Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,Who here hath lain these two days buried. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMGo, tell the prince: run to the Capulets:Raise up the Montagues: some others search:We see the ground whereon these woes do lie;But the true ground of all these piteous woesWe cannot without circumstance descry. Re-enter some of the Watch, with BALTHASARSecond WatchmanHere's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. First WatchmanHold him in safety, till the prince come hither. Re-enter others of the Watch, with FRIAR LAURENCEThird WatchmanHere is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps:We took this mattock and this spade from him,As he was coming from this churchyard side. First WatchmanA great suspicion: stay the friar too. Enter the PRINCE and AttendantsPRINCEWhat misadventure is so early up,That calls our person from our morning's rest?Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and othersCAPULETWhat should it be, that they so shriek abroad?LADY CAPULETThe people in the street cry Romeo,Some Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,With open outcry toward our monument. PRINCEWhat fear is this which startles in our ears?First WatchmanSovereign, here lies the County Paris slain; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before,Warm and new kill'd. PRINCESearch, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. First WatchmanHere is a friar, and slaughter'd Romeo's man;With instruments upon them, fit to openThese dead men's tombs. CAPULETO heavens!


Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die. Falls on ROMEO's body, and diesEnter Watch, with the Page of PARISPAGEThis is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. First WatchmanThe ground is bloody; search about the churchyard:Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,Who here hath lain these two days buried. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMGo, tell the prince: run to the Capulets:Raise up the Montagues: some others search:We see the ground whereon these woes do lie;But the true ground of all these piteous woesWe cannot without circumstance descry. Re-enter some of the Watch, with BALTHASARSecond WatchmanHere's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. First WatchmanHold him in safety, till the prince come hither. Re-enter others of the Watch, with FRIAR LAURENCEThird WatchmanHere is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps:We took this mattock and this spade from him,As he was coming from this churchyard side. First WatchmanA great suspicion: stay the friar too. Enter the PRINCE and AttendantsPRINCEWhat misadventure is so early up,That calls our person from our morning's rest?Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and othersCAPULETWhat should it be, that they so shriek abroad?LADY CAPULETThe people in the street cry Romeo,Some Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,With open outcry toward our monument. PRINCEWhat fear is this which startles in our ears?First WatchmanSovereign, here lies the County Paris slain; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before,Warm and new kill'd. PRINCESearch, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. First WatchmanHere is a friar, and slaughter'd Romeo's man;With instruments upon them, fit to openThese dead men's tombs. CAPULETO heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!This dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his houseIs empty on the back of Montague,-And it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom!LADY CAPULETO me!


O happy dagger!Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die. Falls on ROMEO's body, and diesEnter Watch, with the Page of PARISPAGEThis is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. First WatchmanThe ground is bloody; search about the churchyard:Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. Pitiful sight! Here lies the county slain,And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,Who here hath lain these two days buried. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMGo, tell the prince: run to the Capulets:Raise up the Montagues: some others search:We see the ground whereon these woes do lie;But the true ground of all these piteous woesWe cannot without circumstance descry. Re-enter some of the Watch, with BALTHASARSecond WatchmanHere's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. First WatchmanHold him in safety, till the prince come hither. Re-enter others of the Watch, with FRIAR LAURENCEThird WatchmanHere is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps:We took this mattock and this spade from him,As he was coming from this churchyard side. First WatchmanA great suspicion: stay the friar too. Enter the PRINCE and AttendantsPRINCEWhat misadventure is so early up,That calls our person from our morning's rest?Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and othersCAPULETWhat should it be, that they so shriek abroad?LADY CAPULETThe people in the street cry Romeo,Some Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,With open outcry toward our monument. PRINCEWhat fear is this which startles in our ears?First WatchmanSovereign, here lies the County Paris slain; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before,Warm and new kill'd. PRINCESearch, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. First WatchmanHere is a friar, and slaughter'd Romeo's man;With instruments upon them, fit to openThese dead men's tombs. CAPULETO heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!This dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his houseIs empty on the back of Montague,-And it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom!LADY CAPULETO me! This sight of death is as a bell,That warns my old age to a sepulchre. Enter MONTAGUE and othersPRINCECome, Montague; for thou art early up,To see thy son and heir more early down. MONTAGUEAlas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night;Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath:What further woe conspires against mine age?PRINCELook, and thou shalt see. MONTAGUEO thou untaught!


Here lies the county slain,And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,Who here hath lain these two days buried. Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMGo, tell the prince: run to the Capulets:Raise up the Montagues: some others search:We see the ground whereon these woes do lie;But the true ground of all these piteous woesWe cannot without circumstance descry. Re-enter some of the Watch, with BALTHASARSecond WatchmanHere's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. First WatchmanHold him in safety, till the prince come hither. Re-enter others of the Watch, with FRIAR LAURENCEThird WatchmanHere is a friar, that trembles, sighs and weeps:We took this mattock and this spade from him,As he was coming from this churchyard side. First WatchmanA great suspicion: stay the friar too. Enter the PRINCE and AttendantsPRINCEWhat misadventure is so early up,That calls our person from our morning's rest?Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and othersCAPULETWhat should it be, that they so shriek abroad?LADY CAPULETThe people in the street cry Romeo,Some Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,With open outcry toward our monument. PRINCEWhat fear is this which startles in our ears?First WatchmanSovereign, here lies the County Paris slain; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before,Warm and new kill'd. PRINCESearch, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. First WatchmanHere is a friar, and slaughter'd Romeo's man;With instruments upon them, fit to openThese dead men's tombs. CAPULETO heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!This dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his houseIs empty on the back of Montague,-And it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom!LADY CAPULETO me! This sight of death is as a bell,That warns my old age to a sepulchre. Enter MONTAGUE and othersPRINCECome, Montague; for thou art early up,To see thy son and heir more early down. MONTAGUEAlas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night;Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath:What further woe conspires against mine age?PRINCELook, and thou shalt see. MONTAGUEO thou untaught! What manners is in this?To press before thy father to a grave?PRINCESeal up the mouth of outrage for a while,Till we can clear these ambiguities,And know their spring, their head, theirtrue descent;And then will I be general of your woes, Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd lead you even to death: meantime forbear,And let mischance be slave to patience. Bring forth the parties of suspicion. FRIAR LAURENCEI am the greatest, able to do least,Yet most suspected, as the time and placeDoth make against me of this direful murder;And here I stand, both to impeach and purgeMyself condemned and myself excused. PRINCEThen say at once what thou dost know in this. FRIAR LAURENCEI will be brief, for my short date of breathIs not so long as is a tedious tale. Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet;And she, there dead, that Romeo's faithful wife:I married them; and their stol'n marriage-dayWas Tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely deathBanish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city,For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. You, to remove that siege of grief from her,Betroth'd and would have married her perforceTo County Paris: then comes she to me,And, with wild looks, bid me devise some meanTo rid her from this second marriage,Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my art,A sleeping potion; which so took effectAs I intended, for it wrought on herThe form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,That he should hither come as this dire night,To help to take her from her borrow'd grave,Being the time the potion's force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John,Was stay'd by accident, and yesternightReturn'd my letter back.


O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!This dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his houseIs empty on the back of Montague,-And it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom!LADY CAPULETO me! This sight of death is as a bell,That warns my old age to a sepulchre. Enter MONTAGUE and othersPRINCECome, Montague; for thou art early up,To see thy son and heir more early down. MONTAGUEAlas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night;Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath:What further woe conspires against mine age?PRINCELook, and thou shalt see. MONTAGUEO thou untaught! What manners is in this?To press before thy father to a grave?PRINCESeal up the mouth of outrage for a while,Till we can clear these ambiguities,And know their spring, their head, theirtrue descent;And then will I be general of your woes, Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd lead you even to death: meantime forbear,And let mischance be slave to patience. Bring forth the parties of suspicion. FRIAR LAURENCEI am the greatest, able to do least,Yet most suspected, as the time and placeDoth make against me of this direful murder;And here I stand, both to impeach and purgeMyself condemned and myself excused. PRINCEThen say at once what thou dost know in this. FRIAR LAURENCEI will be brief, for my short date of breathIs not so long as is a tedious tale. Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet;And she, there dead, that Romeo's faithful wife:I married them; and their stol'n marriage-dayWas Tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely deathBanish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city,For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. You, to remove that siege of grief from her,Betroth'd and would have married her perforceTo County Paris: then comes she to me,And, with wild looks, bid me devise some meanTo rid her from this second marriage,Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my art,A sleeping potion; which so took effectAs I intended, for it wrought on herThe form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,That he should hither come as this dire night,To help to take her from her borrow'd grave,Being the time the potion's force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John,Was stay'd by accident, and yesternightReturn'd my letter back. Then all aloneAt the prefixed hour of her waking,Came I to take her from her kindred's vault;Meaning to keep her closely at my cell,Till I conveniently could send to Romeo:But when I came, some minute ere the timeOf her awaking, here untimely layThe noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,And bear this work of heaven with patience:But then a noise did scare me from the tomb; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd she, too desperate, would not go with me,But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know; and to the marriageHer nurse is privy: and, if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrificed, some hour before his time,Unto the rigour of severest law. PRINCEWe still have known thee for a holy man. Where's Romeo's man?


This sight of death is as a bell,That warns my old age to a sepulchre. Enter MONTAGUE and othersPRINCECome, Montague; for thou art early up,To see thy son and heir more early down. MONTAGUEAlas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night;Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath:What further woe conspires against mine age?PRINCELook, and thou shalt see. MONTAGUEO thou untaught! What manners is in this?To press before thy father to a grave?PRINCESeal up the mouth of outrage for a while,Till we can clear these ambiguities,And know their spring, their head, theirtrue descent;And then will I be general of your woes, Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd lead you even to death: meantime forbear,And let mischance be slave to patience. Bring forth the parties of suspicion. FRIAR LAURENCEI am the greatest, able to do least,Yet most suspected, as the time and placeDoth make against me of this direful murder;And here I stand, both to impeach and purgeMyself condemned and myself excused. PRINCEThen say at once what thou dost know in this. FRIAR LAURENCEI will be brief, for my short date of breathIs not so long as is a tedious tale. Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet;And she, there dead, that Romeo's faithful wife:I married them; and their stol'n marriage-dayWas Tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely deathBanish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city,For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. You, to remove that siege of grief from her,Betroth'd and would have married her perforceTo County Paris: then comes she to me,And, with wild looks, bid me devise some meanTo rid her from this second marriage,Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my art,A sleeping potion; which so took effectAs I intended, for it wrought on herThe form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,That he should hither come as this dire night,To help to take her from her borrow'd grave,Being the time the potion's force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John,Was stay'd by accident, and yesternightReturn'd my letter back. Then all aloneAt the prefixed hour of her waking,Came I to take her from her kindred's vault;Meaning to keep her closely at my cell,Till I conveniently could send to Romeo:But when I came, some minute ere the timeOf her awaking, here untimely layThe noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,And bear this work of heaven with patience:But then a noise did scare me from the tomb; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd she, too desperate, would not go with me,But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know; and to the marriageHer nurse is privy: and, if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrificed, some hour before his time,Unto the rigour of severest law. PRINCEWe still have known thee for a holy man. Where's Romeo's man? What can he say in this?BALTHASARI brought my master news of Juliet's death;And then in post he came from MantuaTo this same place, to this same monument. This letter he early bid me give his father,And threatened me with death, going in the vault,I departed not and left him there. PRINCEGive me the letter; I will look on it. Where is the county's page, that raised the watch?Sirrah, what made your master in this place?PAGEHe came with flowers to strew his lady's grave;And bid me stand aloof, and so I did:Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb;And by and by my master drew on him;And then I ran away to call the watch. PRINCEThis letter doth make good the friar's words,Their course of love, the tidings of her death:And here he writes that he did buy a poisonOf a poor 'pothecary, and therewithalCame to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet. Where be these enemies?


What manners is in this?To press before thy father to a grave?PRINCESeal up the mouth of outrage for a while,Till we can clear these ambiguities,And know their spring, their head, theirtrue descent;And then will I be general of your woes, Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd lead you even to death: meantime forbear,And let mischance be slave to patience. Bring forth the parties of suspicion. FRIAR LAURENCEI am the greatest, able to do least,Yet most suspected, as the time and placeDoth make against me of this direful murder;And here I stand, both to impeach and purgeMyself condemned and myself excused. PRINCEThen say at once what thou dost know in this. FRIAR LAURENCEI will be brief, for my short date of breathIs not so long as is a tedious tale. Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet;And she, there dead, that Romeo's faithful wife:I married them; and their stol'n marriage-dayWas Tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely deathBanish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city,For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. You, to remove that siege of grief from her,Betroth'd and would have married her perforceTo County Paris: then comes she to me,And, with wild looks, bid me devise some meanTo rid her from this second marriage,Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my art,A sleeping potion; which so took effectAs I intended, for it wrought on herThe form of death: meantime I writ to Romeo,That he should hither come as this dire night,To help to take her from her borrow'd grave,Being the time the potion's force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John,Was stay'd by accident, and yesternightReturn'd my letter back. Then all aloneAt the prefixed hour of her waking,Came I to take her from her kindred's vault;Meaning to keep her closely at my cell,Till I conveniently could send to Romeo:But when I came, some minute ere the timeOf her awaking, here untimely layThe noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,And bear this work of heaven with patience:But then a noise did scare me from the tomb; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd she, too desperate, would not go with me,But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know; and to the marriageHer nurse is privy: and, if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrificed, some hour before his time,Unto the rigour of severest law. PRINCEWe still have known thee for a holy man. Where's Romeo's man? What can he say in this?BALTHASARI brought my master news of Juliet's death;And then in post he came from MantuaTo this same place, to this same monument. This letter he early bid me give his father,And threatened me with death, going in the vault,I departed not and left him there. PRINCEGive me the letter; I will look on it. Where is the county's page, that raised the watch?Sirrah, what made your master in this place?PAGEHe came with flowers to strew his lady's grave;And bid me stand aloof, and so I did:Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb;And by and by my master drew on him;And then I ran away to call the watch. PRINCEThis letter doth make good the friar's words,Their course of love, the tidings of her death:And here he writes that he did buy a poisonOf a poor 'pothecary, and therewithalCame to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet. Where be these enemies? Capulet!


Then all aloneAt the prefixed hour of her waking,Came I to take her from her kindred's vault;Meaning to keep her closely at my cell,Till I conveniently could send to Romeo:But when I came, some minute ere the timeOf her awaking, here untimely layThe noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth,And bear this work of heaven with patience:But then a noise did scare me from the tomb; Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMAnd she, too desperate, would not go with me,But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know; and to the marriageHer nurse is privy: and, if aught in thisMiscarried by my fault, let my old lifeBe sacrificed, some hour before his time,Unto the rigour of severest law. PRINCEWe still have known thee for a holy man. Where's Romeo's man?what can he say in this?BALTHASARI brought my master news of Juliet's death;And then in post he came from MantuaTo this same place, to this same monument. This letter he early bid me give his father,And threatened me with death, going in the vault,I departed not and left him there. PRINCEGive me the letter; I will look on it. Where is the county's page, that raised the watch?Sirrah, what made your master in this place?PAGEHe came with flowers to strew his lady's grave;And bid me stand aloof, and so I did:Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb;And by and by my master drew on him;And then I ran away to call the watch. PRINCEThis letter doth make good the friar's words,Their course of love, the tidings of her death:And here he writes that he did buy a poisonOf a poor 'pothecary, and therewithalCame to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet. Where be these enemies?Capulet!Montague!See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate,That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love. And I for winking at your discords tooHave lost a brace of kinsmen: all are punish'd. CAPULETO brother Montague, give me thy hand:This is my daughter's jointure, for no more Romeo and Juliet: Entire Playhttp: www-tech.mit.edu Shakespeare romeo juliet full.html1 18 2007 12:23 PMCan I demand. MONTAGUEBut I can give thee more:For I will raise her statue in pure gold;That while Verona by that name is known,There shall no figure at such rate be setAs that of true and faithful Juliet. CAPULETAs rich shall Romeo's by his lady's lie;Poor sacrifices of our enmity!PRINCEA glooming peace this morning with it brings;The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:For never was a story of more woeThan this of Juliet and her Romeo. Exeunt.


PSE C- ESSAYS BASED ON SET TEXTS Optional I- SHORT STORIES 1. Half a Day and Other Stories Comment on how ignorance, greed and corruption have led to the suffering of people in Saida, Hagi-Dirie Herzi s Government by Magic Spell 2. Macmillan Ed Half a day and other stories The Hands The Hands of the Blacks is a case of racial biasness . Discuss this statement using Luis Bernado Honwana s . The Hands of the Blacks 3. The short story: Macmillan Ed Half a day and other stories. Write a composition to justify the statement John is to blame for the death of Wamuhu basing your illustrations on Ngugi Wa Thiongo s A meeting in the Dark 4. Macmillan Ed , half a day and other stories. Write a composition highlighting the challenges of inter-racial relationships as revealed in the story Breaking Loose by Moyez Vassanji 5. Macmillan Ed. ,. Half a Day and other stories with reference to story The Hands of the Blacks by Luis Bernado Honwana, justify the assertion that racism is a creation of individuals. 20mks 6. Macmilan Ed , Half a Day and Other Stories. With reference to the short story Hands of the blacks by Luis Bernado Honwana, write a composition on how whites attempt to justify their mistreatment and exploitation of the black race. 7. Macmillan E.d. ,. Half a Day and other stories With illustrations from Peter Nazareth s Money Man , write an essay to illustrate the saying: money cannot buy happiness . 8. Macmillan Ed , Half a Day and other stories Write an essay on the complications that arise from Akoto and Yasmin s relationship right from the start-basing your illustrations on Moyez Vassanj s story Breaking Loose 9. Macmillan Ed Half a Day and Other Stories Drawing your illustrations from Government by magic spell by Saida Magi- Dirre Menzi, Write an essay on the saying Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 10.


8. Macmillan Ed , Half a Day and other stories Write an essay on the complications that arise from Akoto and Yasmin s relationship right from the start-basing your illustrations on Moyez Vassanj s story Breaking Loose 9. Macmillan Ed Half a Day and Other Stories Drawing your illustrations from Government by magic spell by Saida Magi- Dirre Menzi, Write an essay on the saying Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 10. Macmillan Ed Half A Day and Other Stories Drawing your illustrations from Government by magic spell by Saida Hagi Dirre Henzi, write an essay on the saying, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely 11. Macmillan Ed , Half a day and Other stories Write an essay entitled: Africans should not celebrate the new millennium. Base your argument on the reason given in Havua Tuma s story- Who cares for the new millennium. 12. Half a Day and Other Stories: 20mks Hama Tuma is against ills in society . Write an essay in support of the statement. Draw your illustrations from Hama Tuma s short story, Government by Magic spell . 13. Macmillan ed , Half a Day and other Stories School is not a punishment. It is the factory that makes useful men out of boys. Write a composition in 14. Half a day and other stories- Basing on Ngugi s story a meeting in the dark, write an essay to highlight problems of premarital sex. 15. Macmillan Ed , Half a Day and other Stories Using Ngugi wa Thiong o Martyr write an essay to show that Njoroge was bound to die as he did 16. Macmillan Ed. Half a Day and other stories Saida Hagi-Dirie Herzie Against the Pleasure Principles . Write a composition to show that Rahma and other women did not go through circumcision but female genital mutilation. 17. Macmillan Ed half a day and other stories.


Write a composition to show that Rahma and other women did not go through circumcision but female genital mutilation. 17. Macmillan Ed half a day and other stories. PSE Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely justify this statement basing your argument on Saida Hagi Diries story Government by Magic Spell II- THE DRAMA SHREDS OF TENDERNESS 1. Write a composition showing the problems caused by war 2. Write an essay showing Odie s feelings and fears towards his step brother Wak. 3. Whenever there is turmoil that leads to war, women and young girls suffer most . Write a composition showing how this happens to Stella. 4. Illustrating your answer with examples from Shreds of Tenderness, write a composition entitled, the prevalence of betrayal in human relationships. 5. In case of political tribulance in a country, those who remain in the country suffer as much as those who seek refuge elsewhere. Write a composition to illustrate this assertion basing your argument on John Ruganda s Shreds of Tenderness. 6. Drawing illustrations from John Ruganda s Shreds of Tenderness , write an essay in support of this statement: John Ruganda has successfully used the style play within a play in his book Shreds of tenderness 7. With close reference to the play Shreds of Tenderness , show why the title of the text is a suitable one. 8. Imagine that your school has organized a joint debate whose motion is: Military take over should not be given any room in this millennium. Propose this motion using illustrations from John Ruganda s Shreds of Tenderness 9. Drawing your illustrations from John Ruganda s Shreds of Tenderness , write an essay supporting the statement Betrayal in human relationships lead to the suffering of both the betrayed and the betrayer . 10. Write a composition on how the author has displayed the female character in the society. Refer to John Ruganda s Shreds of Tenderness. 11. Write an essay on the plight of women in a country under civil strife. Refer to John Rugandas Shreds of Tenderness. 12 Write an essay on ironies in Shreds of Tenderness using at least 4 illustrations of irony 13.


Write an essay on the plight of women in a country under civil strife. Refer to John Rugandas Shreds of Tenderness. 12 Write an essay on ironies in Shreds of Tenderness using at least 4 illustrations of irony 13. Odie is his own enemy . Write a composition to validate the truth of this statement in relation to Shreds of Tenderness 14. Illustrating your answer with examples from Shreds of Tenderness, write an essay entitled The pivotal character traits of the Girl child. 15. Odie s father is an epitome of an African man. Discuss. 20mks 16. Using illustrations from John Ruganda; Shreds of Tenderness Write a composition and show that sibling rivalry is dangerous 17. Write a composition showing the problems caused by war III THE NOVEL HOME STRETCH VELMA POLLARD 1. Using illustrations from Velma Pollard s Homestretch , write an essay on the problems a black person is likely to encounter while in America and England 20mks 2. Illustrating your answers with examples from Homestretch write an essay on how any three women offer help to Brenda in the foreign country. 3. Write a composition on experiences which forced Brenda to develop negative attitude towards Jamaica. Give illustrations from Velma pollard s Homestretch 4. Home stretch is a novel that explores the search for identify and belonging. Discuss the validity of this statement basing your answer on Velma Pollard s novel, Home Stretch. 5. Write a composition on the challenges that immigrants encounter. Refer to the novel Homestretch Velma Pollard. 6. One can make home be the best place by engaging in community development activities PSE With close reference to Velma pollard s Homestretch , write an essay to show how David and Edith prove the validity of the above statement. 7. Specifically focusing on Brenda in the novel, Homestretch by Velma Pollard; Write a composition to illustrate how early childhood experiences shape one s perception of life. 8. Write an essay showing how Brenda s contact with Laura changes her attitude towards Jamaica. 9.


8.Write an essay showing how Brenda s contact with Laura changes her attitude towards Jamaica.9.With illustrations from the novel Homestretch , write an essay on the problems that people who migrate to foreign countries encounter 10.Write a composition on the beauty of homecoming after a period of absence abroad. Draw your illustrations from Velma Pollards Homestretch 11.Using at least two characters from Velma Pollands Homestretch write an essay on the role played by women in the community.12. If well planned for, retirement is not to be feared. It can in fact be a useful period in a person s life. Basing your reasoning on what happens in the novel ,write a composition to explain this statement.13.Write a composition on challenges!Problems experienced by Africans in the diaspora. Draw your illustrations from the novel Homestretch by Velma Pollard.14.Despite challenges, women still become usefully successful. Using any two of the characters given below from Pollard s novel Homestretch support this statement. I Brenda ii Edith iii Mama Joy 15.Using illustrations from Velma Pollard; Homestretch write an essay how Laura helps Edith and David to settle down in Jamaica.


Sample Essays Margaret A. Ogola, The River and the Source 1. Gender imbalance only causes misery in society. Write an essay in support of this statement, drawing your illustrations from The River and the Source. 20 marks In the societies that are male dominated and male oriented, women are subjected to all forms of misery ranging from assault to emotional abuse. In The River and the Source, there are various manifestations of gender imbalance all of which reveal the suffering of women. Preference for sons in the traditional society is evident at the onset of the story. When Akoko is born, she yells so lustily that Chief Odero Gogni thinks with satisfaction that he has got another rock for my sling , another son. That the chief shows open preference for a son yet he already has seven sons and not a single daughter indicates preference for the boy child, a means of ensuring continuity of the family. This bias against the girl child is also revealed when Owuor Kembo s father fumes with silent fury because he has only two sons and twentytwo daughters, wanderers who would only depart to go and cook for some other clan. A woman s importance starts and ends with her ability to bear children especially sons. Owuor Kembo comes under great pressure form his mother, Nyar Asembo and the council of Jodongo because Akoko has difficulties conceiving as regularly as expected. Akoko suffersfalse accusations of witchcraft due to her inability to reproduce at the rate of her mother-inlaw s expectations. Gender inequality at Aluor Mission is expressed in the biased provision of eduation; with the girl child getting fewer chances of acquiring formal education. In a class of thirty-two pupils that Awiti joins, there is only one other girl who drops out soon after. While the boys drop out for the plausible reason of lack of three shillings levied as school fees, the girl drops out to get married. She is a victim of the traditional role assigned to women; till the land and rear children. Injustice against women is explicitly expressed when Otieno, Akoko s brother-in-law robs her of her late husband s wealth, her hard earned wealth and her grandson of his rightful position to the chieftaincy. Nyabera also deciphers injustice against women in the institution of tero .


She is a victim of the traditional role assigned to women; till the land and rear children. Injustice against women is explicitly expressed when Otieno, Akoko s brother-in-law robs her of her late husband s wealth, her hard earned wealth and her grandson of his rightful position to the chieftaincy. Nyabera also deciphers injustice against women in the institution of tero . Widow inheritance by a relative who only offers minimal comfort to the widow and whose only obligation is to sire more children for his dead brother or cousin, children he has no obligation to. Gender insensitivity is exposed at the university when Aoro, taking Wandia for granted addresses his anatomy study group as hey man yet a woman is part of it. It takes Wandia s assertive nature to correct the situation by insisting that people be referred to by their names. At the end of the anatomy course when Wandia defeats all, Aoro observes offensively that it was the first time he has been beaten by a girl and goes on to credit Wandia with the masculine quality of being tough. This insinuation makes Wandia a little disappointed. In conclusion, forms of gender prejudice such as preference for boys, the traditional role assigned to women, biased provision of education, injustices and insensitivity indeed cause untold suffering to women. Women should come out strongly and break off to an independent and dignified existence. 2. A river is as good as its source. Drawing examples from the lives of Akoko and her descendants in The River and the source, write an essay illustrating the truth of this statement. 20 marks A permanent river always has a good and reliable source. Such a river continues flowing and sustaining the lives of many generations without any fear of drying up. Akoko is symbolically the point of origin of the reliable family line river described in The River and the Source. Akoko s river starts flowing when she is born. She yells so lustily that her father imagines, wrongly of course, that he has another son. Later, he acknowledges the importance of a daughter by saying that a home without daughters is like a river without a source . Akoko is born to serve as the source of a great river that keeps flowing from her to Nyabera and Awiti who are strong women like her.


She yells so lustily that her father imagines, wrongly of course, that he has another son. Later, he acknowledges the importance of a daughter by saying that a home without daughters is like a river without a source . Akoko is born to serve as the source of a great river that keeps flowing from her to Nyabera and Awiti who are strong women like her. Although Nyabera initially meanders in some form of confusion, she eventually comes to terms with her being and guides her daughter Awiti to a strong foundation just like Akoko did to her. Akoko s river keeps on flowing and when it looks like it is drying up in the death of her son Obura, her husband Owuor Kembo, her only remaining son Owang Sino and Nyabera s children in childhood, the river emerges yet again when Nyabera gives birth to a child that survives. The river gathers momentum in Awiti and her seven children. Most of these children such as Vera, Aoro and Tony are like Akoko. Even Wandia, Aoro s wife, who is not a blood relative of Akoko is described as the most Akoko-like by Elizabeth. Akoko is the source of the admirable character traits that flow in her offspring. She is determined to reclaim her wealth and Owuor Sino s chieftaincy from Otieno and she succeeds through the help of Sirikal . Akoko s determination is evident in Awiti who is said to have developed her grandmother s steely determination. It is also evident in Aoro who in pursuing Wandia says he is Akoko s grandson and therefore does not know the meaning of giving up. As a strong believer in Were and God of the new religion, Akoko s religious nature acts as a foundation to her offspring s religious practice one of who is a bishop Peter , a priest Tony and a non-marrying member of Opus Dei Vera . Akoko is the source of the fight against male domination which is later embraced by her descendants. Her journey to Kisuma is said to have opened up new vistas for her family. Soon after, we see Nyabera breaking from chik and seeking a new way of life in the new religion.


Akoko is the source of the fight against male domination which is later embraced by her descendants. Her journey to Kisuma is said to have opened up new vistas for her family. Soon after, we see Nyabera breaking from chik and seeking a new way of life in the new religion. Awiti, an only girl in the examination class of eleven candidates beats all of them and wins herself a place in a teachers training college from where she graduates successfully in spite of all odds against her. Akoko s fight against unreasonable domination therefore leadsher female offspring to the liberal society in which they find themselves in later years. In a nutshell, Akoko is indeed the source of her lineage that exactly resembles her in terms of deeds and character traits. Akoko s descendants such as Nyabera, Awiti, Peter, Aoro Vera and Tony resemble Akoko in many aspects. 3. As far as marriage is concerned, change is for the best. Write an essay to justify this statement. Refer to Ogola s The River and the Source for your illustrations. 20 marks Most people in our contemporary society fear change. They are not sure whether it will have a negative or positive impact. I will use The River and the Source to justify the fact that the institution of marriage has undergone positive changes over time. Change is witnessed in matters to do with the choice of a husband. In the traditional society, it was the girl s father who decided the man who would marry his daughter. Chief Odero Gogni chose Owuor Kembo after sending away twelve other suitors who had come to seek Akoko s hand in marriage. Akoko had completely no say over the man to marry her and could only watch the proceedings from her mother s hut. This practice changes when Awiti chooses Mark and merely informs Nyabera and Akoko about him. Radical change is witnessed later when Wandia proposes to Aoro when she feels that he is taking long to do so. Traditionally, a boy sent a jawan gyo to inspect the girl he intended to marry in order to find out her antecedents and character; if there were traces of witchcraft, madness, theft, laziness or any other undesirable traits among her relatives. Owuor Kembo s jawan gyo had told him that Akoko had a most beautiful neck With time, young men do not find it necessary to send any spy to inspect the girl.


Radical change is witnessed later when Wandia proposes to Aoro when she feels that he is taking long to do so. Traditionally, a boy sent a jawan gyo to inspect the girl he intended to marry in order to find out her antecedents and character; if there were traces of witchcraft, madness, theft, laziness or any other undesirable traits among her relatives. Owuor Kembo s jawan gyo had told him that Akoko had a most beautiful neck With time, young men do not find it necessary to send any spy to inspect the girl. Apart from the little information Mark and Elizabeth pick from each other during their courtship, they hardly know each other s relatives at the time they decide to get married. All that Mark knows is that Elizabeth s mother is called Maria and her grandmother Akoko. Awiti does not even know the names of Mark s parents. Bride price, previously deemed as a source of wealth at Akoko s time when Owuor Kembo pays thirty head of cattle for her is reduced to a token bull, two cows and six goats at Awiti s time. However, Mark Sigu s relatives take this minimal bride price with misgivings. They had readied twenty-four head of cattle, double the normal amount, and were ready to pay even more. Further change is witnessed when Wandia s mother tells Aoro that the only thing she wants from him is for him to live in peace with her daughter. Tradition dictated that after bride price had been paid, young men from the village of the husband-to-be steal the bride to her husband s home. There was a mock fight between the thieves and the young men of the bride s village. The bride resisted the attempt to be carried away from her parents by letting out one piercing yell after another. All these happen at Akoko s marriage. In place of these traditional practices comes the church wedding. Mark and Elizabeth marry in a simple wedding at Aluor Parish presided by the newly ordained Fr. Peter Owuor Kembo. Likewise Aoro and Wandia wed in church and everybody chips in to make their wedding a resounding success. Initially, one was expected to marry within the tribe.


Peter Owuor Kembo. Likewise Aoro and Wandia wed in church and everybody chips in to make their wedding a resounding success. Initially, one was expected to marry within the tribe. During Awiti s betrothal, Mark s deceptive light complexion made the hosts to wonder if their daughter had decided to marry a ja-mwa , a foreigner as marriage to even a Luhya from across the border was considered a catastrophe. This attitude changes when inter-ethnic marriages take place. Aoro, a Luo young man readily marries Wandia a Kikuyu from Murang a and the marriage works perfectly well. Inter-racial marriage is also evident when Becky, an African marriage John Courtney a Canadian. This marriage would have succeeded had it not been for Becky s promiscuity because John is said to be a very nice man. The polygamous marriage of the traditional society changes to a monogamous relationship. This change begins with Owuor Kembo when he finds love and fulfilment in Akoko that he loses interest in all other women. He sticks to his one wife in spite of immense pressure from his mother and the Jodongo to marry a second wife and at a time when a monogamous man is an unknown animal . With the coming of Christianity, monogamy is cemented as seen in Elizabeth-Mark s marriage as well as that of Wandia and Aoro. These marriages are characterized by love and respect that are missing in Otieno s polygamous marriage for he treats his wives as sluts. To conclude, marriage indeed changes for the better as time progresses. This is in matters to do with choice, bride price, departure of the bride from her parents home, ethnic considerations and the relationship that exists between the husband and the wife. 4. The novel is rich in oral literature devices. Write an essay describing three such devices and indicate how they contribute to The River and the Source. 20 marks Writers use stylistic devices to advance various messages in their texts. Being an African writer, Margaret Ogola borrows from the oral literature of her people in order to effectively write the story of The River and the Source. Proverbs are used mainly in the first two parts of the novel.


20 marks Writers use stylistic devices to advance various messages in their texts. Being an African writer, Margaret Ogola borrows from the oral literature of her people in order to effectively write the story of The River and the Source. Proverbs are used mainly in the first two parts of the novel. Yesterday is not today and today is not tomorrow for each day rises fresh from the hands of Were is used by Akoko when she goes to encourage her daughter Nyabera, who has just lost her two sons to a ferocious attack of measles. This proverb serves to console Nyabera that one day Were will give her a child that will survive. The proverb also reveals Akoko as religious and optimistic. During the negotiation for Akoko s return to her matrimonial home, Aloo K Olima, Akoko s family spokesman, uses the proverb, After all who knows the goodness of a tree but he who sits under its shade and eats its fruit? This proverb is used to convince the audience about a woman s worth to her husband. This is in reference to the successful and fulfilling monogamous marriage between Akoko and Owuor. The proverb therefore highlights thetheme of the importance of love in marriage. The proverb, How can you know where you are going if you do not know where you come from? Is used by Akoko during the reconciliation talks to emphasize the values of the Luo society. It serves to explain her upbringing, her selfpride and respect thus it underlines the society s disapproval of impropriety, self disgrace and disrespect. It summarises the fact that has been brought up well and her past has been free from witchcraft and use of charms and spells Another oral literature device used in the novel is song and chants. While driving cattle into Chief Odero Gogni s homestead for Akoko s bride price, the young men from Sakwa chant their personal praise names, one of them bragging that he is Ochieng Suna, the mosquito who although tiny, when he bites even the great elephant flaps his big ears. Another young man, Oloo Polo claims that he is the sky and that when he rumbles and sends signs and wonders, even the brave tremble. This chant is mainly a source of humour. The young men praise themselves in very comical ways. A happy relaxed atmosphere is also created through the self- praises.


This chant is mainly a source of humour. The young men praise themselves in very comical ways. A happy relaxed atmosphere is also created through the self- praises. In addition, the chant reveals the young men s logical thinking as they are able to link some qualities that they have with the power of some animals or force of nature. The author also uses a song, the dirge that Akoko sings when her beloved husband dies. In the dirge, Akoko recognizes Owuor Kembo as an exemplary man different from what other women have given birth to. She appreciates the friendship that had existed between them which she contrasts with men who live with their wives like cats and dogs, ravens and chicken. She even reveals how her heart was smitten by his nyadhi . This song makes vivid the sombre atmosphere caused by Owuor Kembo s death. It expresses. Akoko s sense of loss of herhusband who was loving. It ridicules men who do not value their lives and by extension encourages harmony in the family. Oral narratives are also used in the novel. On their epic journey to Kisuma, Akoko as an adult takes her role responsibly to inculcate knowledge of the history of the tribe by narrating to the younger generation, Opiyo and Odongo myths and legends of the Luo. She narrates to them the story of Were , the creator of the father of the tribe Ramogi and his wife Nyar Nam who had many children. These offspring settled around the lake tilling land, taming animals and fishing. She goes ahead to mention legendary figures who have risen from Ramogi s children such as the super-human warrior Lwanda Magere, Gor Mahia, the wily one as well as renown women like Lela Kabanda the mighty warrior, Nyamgodho of mighty wealth and many others. This myth educates not only Opiyo and Odongo but also the reader about the origin and culture of the Luo tribe. Legendary figures provide heroes for emulation. All in all, the author s use of proverbs, songs and oral narratives lend the text the rich African culture that it deserves. It is through the use of these oral literature devices that the authentic geographical setting of the text is captured. 5. It requires a strong character to survive in a male-dominated society. Write an essay illustrating the truth of this statement with reference to Akoko in The River and the Source.


It is through the use of these oral literature devices that the authentic geographical setting of the text is captured. 5. It requires a strong character to survive in a male-dominated society. Write an essay illustrating the truth of this statement with reference to Akoko in The River and the Source. 20 marks In a patriarchal society, women have to come out forcefully, upset the old order and liberate themselves from the oppressive forces of men. In order to pioneer this uphill task, one has to have a strong character like that of Akoko in The River and the Source. Akoko is determined, a quality that is noticed in her right from childhood and enables her to make several achievements at that stage. She sits earlier than expected; at four months, cruises around with the help of objects at seven months, walks without support at seven and half months and speaks her first words, dwaro mara , at ten months. On watching her grow, villagers correctly say that she would be a very determined person some day. Indeed this determination is evident throughout her adult life especially in her struggle to get back her husband s property, her hard-earned wealth and Owuor Sino s right to become chief all of which had been grabbed by Otieno. As an overly determined woman in a male dominated society, she travels all the way to Kisuma, a place she has never been to before in order to seek justice from the colonial administration. Akoko s courageous nature also enables her to fit in her patriarchal society. He first words are dwaro mara , want mine, to claim what rightly belongs to her that her older brother Oloo dares to take away. In her relationship with her husband, Akoko wins Owuor Kembo over with her confidence, her ability to make her opinion on any subject known. It is Akoko s boldnessthat enables her to brave Otieno s arrogance and male chauvinism. When Otieno calls her a she wolf and threatens to teach her a lesson for having addressed the villagers about Nyar Asembo s accusation of witchcraft, Akoko looks at him in the face and dares him to try making Otieno to quickly retreat.


In her relationship with her husband, Akoko wins Owuor Kembo over with her confidence, her ability to make her opinion on any subject known. It is Akoko s boldnessthat enables her to brave Otieno s arrogance and male chauvinism. When Otieno calls her a she wolf and threatens to teach her a lesson for having addressed the villagers about Nyar Asembo s accusation of witchcraft, Akoko looks at him in the face and dares him to try making Otieno to quickly retreat. Similarly, when Otieno, whip in hand, threatens to whip, kill and send her back to her village for having reported him to Sirikali , Akoko dares him to a fight, calls him a village fool and her boldness makes Otieno s fear to take the better of him upon which he retreats once again. Akoko is wise. She knows that being not only a woman but also a widow and a sonless mother in this male dominated society, she has no chance against her brother-in-law Otieno when it comes to reclaiming her husband s property, her personal wealth and her grandson of his right to become the chief of Sakwa. She wisely seeks the assistance of the colonial government and succeeds when the DC rules the case in her favour. When she comes back from Kisuma and finds that the plunder of her cattle had reached major proportions , Akoko s first impulse is to confront Otieno but reason soon reasserts itself and she wisely thinks that there is no advantage is knocking one s head against a tree trunk as at best one may chip off a bark but in return get a large bruise on the head. She bids her time, approaches the robbery cautiously and wisely and eventually gets all her property back. Akoko survives male dominance because she is responsible. She takes up her role as a mother seriously and ensures that her children grow up to be hard-working and intelligent. Under her tutelage, Obura learns that the sun should never rise and find a man asleep and Nyaberalearns to be hard-working. Akoko always stands by Nyabera in very difficult times like the death of her children and teaches her how to overcome suffering. Akoko plays the role of both father and mother to her grandchildren Owuor Sino and Awiti.


Under her tutelage, Obura learns that the sun should never rise and find a man asleep and Nyaberalearns to be hard-working. Akoko always stands by Nyabera in very difficult times like the death of her children and teaches her how to overcome suffering. Akoko plays the role of both father and mother to her grandchildren Owuor Sino and Awiti. She looks after Owuor Sino when his father dies and his mother Alando nyar Uyoma abandons him. She looks after Awiti when Nyabera goes to Aluor in search of the new religion. She further ensures that Awiti has fees for school and organizes Awiti s wedding according to chik . Fully aware that there is no one else to protect her family, Akoko assumes a strong sense of responsibility and makes an epic journey to Kisuma to protest against Chief Otieno Kembo s excesses. In summary, Akoko is determined, courageous, wise and responsible. These traits make her a strong character who cannot be put down in the male dominated society she is born and lives. 6. Gender imbalance should not be an impediment to a woman s success. Write an essay in support of this statement, drawing your illustrations from The River and the Source. 20 marks A society in which gender inequality is rampant disadvantages women in almost all aspects of life such as the economy, education and politics. In The River and the Source, we encounter strong-willed women who break the barriers imposed on them and make several achievements. Akoko s assertive nature enables her to overcome male domination right from childhood. Her first words are dwaro mara , want mine, which she screams at her elder brother Oloo whenhe dares to take away what she is playing with. She fights aggressively to survive in a household consisting of nine brothers and she succeeds because she is physically fearless. She also succeeds in winning her father s affection at a time when the Chief s attention should be focused on sons. She is an irresistible and precious child. Later, when Otieno her brother-inlaw robs her of her late husband s property, her hard-earned wealth and her grandson of the chieftaincy, Akoko takes a bold step and makes a journey to Kisuma to seek the intervention of sirikal .


She also succeeds in winning her father s affection at a time when the Chief s attention should be focused on sons. She is an irresistible and precious child. Later, when Otieno her brother-inlaw robs her of her late husband s property, her hard-earned wealth and her grandson of the chieftaincy, Akoko takes a bold step and makes a journey to Kisuma to seek the intervention of sirikal . She succeeds when the DC rule that Otieno should forcibly be removed from the chief s stool and be made to return all he was grabbed from her. Nyabera s fighting spirit enables her to resist tradition and fate that threaten to shutter her life. Having lost her husband and all her children except Awiti, she decides to break from chik which degrades and suppresses sonless widows. When she realizes that she might never have a surviving son with her inheritor, she resolves to seek a new way of life in the new religion. She is said to equal her mother in making ruthless decisions. She embarks on a long journey alone through the bush from Yimbo to Aluor Mission following Pilipo s directions. She succeeds because Christianity gives her, together with Akoko and the children Awiti and Owuor Sino who join her later, spiritual satisfaction and a place to settle and earn a living away from the atrocities of tradition in their male dominated society. Awiti makes a break through in education despite the bias against the girl child at Aluor Mission. In a class of thirty-two that she joins, there is only one other girl who drops out soon after in order to get married. Awiti, motivated by her grandmother s and mother s pioneeringand daring spirit, hangs on as Akoko and Nyabera struggle to raise three shillings levied per year. Awiti is even derided for being bright at this time when education is considered superfluous for girls but she ignores all these, puts all her effort in her studies and succeeds in an extraordinary manner. She becomes top in a class of eleven who sit for the final examination beating all the boys. This wins her a place at the teachers training college from where she graduates successfully. Gender imbalance in the society does not prevent her from being a teacher as well as a proud mother of seven children. At the university, Wandia breaks barriers of gender imbalance.


This wins her a place at the teachers training college from where she graduates successfully. Gender imbalance in the society does not prevent her from being a teacher as well as a proud mother of seven children. At the university, Wandia breaks barriers of gender imbalance. She rejects gender insensitivity by insisting that people be referred to by their names and not their gender when Aoro, taking her for granted, addresses his anatomy study group as hey man . She and Aoro are the first to courageously make ago at the cadaver when the other members of table six are yet to overcome their nervousness. She defeats all in the tough anatomy course beating her main rival Aoro with 78 against his 77 points. She specializes in pathology, pursues her studies and gets a masters and finally a Doctorate in Medicine. As a professor of Medicine and the chairperson of the Department of Pathology at the University of Nairobi, Wandia has all that a modern woman would wish to achieve with an ordinary looking family on her side. In conclusion, women like Akoko, Nyabera, Awiti and Wandia indeed succeed in the face of gender imbalance in the society. Their courage is what sees them through------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Drawing examples from the lives of married couples in The River and the Source, write an essay on the importance of commitment to family. 20 marks In our contemporary society, many marriages have broken due to lack of commitment to family. Couples are unable to overcome the challenges that face them and decide to separate or divorce. In The River and the Source, most families survive various setbacks because couples are committed to family ideals. Akoko and Owuor Kembo display a lot of commitment to one another and their three children. The author describes their family as close knit , full of love and respect for each. Owuor Kembo treats his wife as a queen and she never fails him. He refuses to marry a second wife despite pressure to do so by his mother and the council of Jodongo . So concerned about the welfare of Akoko that when her delivery of Owang Sino is harrowing, he finds himself wishing fervently that no more children would come . Akoko on her part lives for and gives her all for the survival of her family.


He refuses to marry a second wife despite pressure to do so by his mother and the council of Jodongo . So concerned about the welfare of Akoko that when her delivery of Owang Sino is harrowing, he finds himself wishing fervently that no more children would come . Akoko on her part lives for and gives her all for the survival of her family. This couple is perturbed when their son Obura expresses a wish to go and see the outside world and when he disappears from home and eventually dies in the first big war:, Akoko and Owuor are heartbroken. They bear the loss only by the mercy of Were . In fact Owuor develops an illness that he ends up succumbing to nine years later. Commitment is also wident in Elizabeth s and Mark s family. Although Mark inadvertently drifts into unfaithfulness during the emergency period, he comes to his senses and resolves to have devoted love of his wife and the affection of all her children . He and Elizabeth are united in bringing up their seven children and are totally committed to their well-being. Mark even studies privately and this enables him to get a promotion and improve the welfare of his family. He takes to an unmanly act of helping his overworked wife around the house. The couple does all it can to make sure that each of their children gets good education. The two are also uncompromising as far as the discipline of their children is concerned. Their commitment bears fruit as most of their children succeed in their education and end up in incrative careers. Vera becomes an electronics expert, Aoro a doctor and Opiyo a manager. Aoro and Wandia are also very committed to family, nuclear and extended. Their professional lives with Aoro as a busy surgeon and Wandia as pathologist and professor does not prevent them from raising four children as well as Becky s two children. Aoro appreciates Wandia s wonderful job with the children as well as her cordial relationship with his mother Elizabeth. On her part, Wandia counts Aoro the best among her blessings. Their commitment to family in spite of their busy schedule becomes a pivotal part of the extended family as Elizabeth and Mark age and sets a good example for other people who aspire to achieve in life. Becky s and John Courtney s marriage reveals what lack of commitment to family can cause.


On her part, Wandia counts Aoro the best among her blessings. Their commitment to family in spite of their busy schedule becomes a pivotal part of the extended family as Elizabeth and Mark age and sets a good example for other people who aspire to achieve in life. Becky s and John Courtney s marriage reveals what lack of commitment to family can cause. Though John is loving, Becky is promiscuous and this leads to divorce when John discovers Becky s affair with other men whenever he is on trips abroad. Although she leaves a lot of wealth for her two children, she leaves them confused and were it not for Wandia and Aoro who adopt them, they would not have made it in life. From the foregoing, it can be concluded that commitment to family is the glue that holds couples together and guarantees success in their children. Those who aspire to raise a good family should therefore borrow a leaf from Akoko and Owuor kembo, Elizabeth and Mark as well as Wandia and Aoro.


Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.2ADEFINITIVEGUIDETOINHERITANCETheAuthor DavidKakutaMulwawasbornon9thApril1945intheplainsofMukaainMakueniCounty. Hiswritingwasinfluencedbyhisfather,PastorJohnMulwa,andhisteachersfrom primaryschooltotheuniversity. David Mulwa wentto Machakos Boys High School,then toAllianceHighSchoolforhisA-levels. HejoinedtheUniversityofNairobiwhere he studied Literature instructed byTaban LoLiyong'andOkotP 'Bitek. HeproceededtotheUniversityofCaliforniainLosAngelesunderascholarshipwherehestudiedMastersinArts. Mulwahasalsowrittenotherbooksincluding'Redemption' 1989 ,'MasterandServant' 1979 ,'WeComeinPeace','GlassHouses,' Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.3amongothersbooks. Davidiscurrentlyawriter,lecturer,actorandthedirectorofKenyaPerformingArtsinNairobi. TheSetting ThestoryissetincolonialAfricaintheKutulacolonyundertheBritishrule. Thecolonialmasterslivelavishlyattheexpenseofthepoornativeswhoserveastheirslaves. ThetraditionalrulerofthenativesisKingKutulaXV.ThekingisbentonoverthrowingtheBritishleadershipbyallmeans. Heleadshispeopleinanationaluprisingagainstthewhitesettlersandoutrightlytellsthewhitegovernorthat"...yourpeoplewillcontinuetodie. Everyoneofthem ...GovernorMacayandnoone'llhelpyou...Ihavespoken.". Pg13 . AftertheexitoftheBritish,KutulabecomesarepublicundertheleadershipofLacunaKasooafterthedeathofhis Lacuna's father,KingKutulaXV. LacunaKasoo'sleadershipturnsouttobeworsethantheleadershipof the colonialmasters. It is marred with greed,corruption,incompetenceandassassinations. Hisdictatorialregimetriggersapeacefulcivilrevolutionthatsuccessfullyoverthrowshisleadership. Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.4TheTitle Theplay'Inheritance'revolvesaroundaconflictbetweentheAfricannatives and the white settlers overthe inheritance ofland,itsresourcesandleadership. TheBritishinvasioninAfricanismotivatedbythedesiretotapresourcesfrom Africathroughtheircolonialruleundertheguiseofbringingcivilizationinform ofeducation,infrastructure,andhospitalstothe"primitive"Africans. Oncesettled,thecolonialmastersgraduallygrabbedvastareasoflandfrom thenativesforagriculture,miningandsettlementtherebydisplacingandenslavingthenatives. TheBritishEmpiredependedonAfricaforsurvival,hencethedesiretoruleandcontrolAfricawiththeirresources. Thenatives,throughtheirKingKutula,realizetheurgentneedtoinheritwhatthewhitesettlershaverobbedthem.


Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.2ADEFINITIVEGUIDETOINHERITANCETheAuthor DavidKakutaMulwawasbornon9thApril1945intheplainsofMukaainMakueniCounty. Hiswritingwasinfluencedbyhisfather,PastorJohnMulwa,andhisteachersfrom primaryschooltotheuniversity. David Mulwa wentto Machakos Boys High School,then toAllianceHighSchoolforhisA-levels. HejoinedtheUniversityofNairobiwhere he studied Literature instructed byTaban LoLiyong'andOkotP 'Bitek. HeproceededtotheUniversityofCaliforniainLosAngelesunderascholarshipwherehestudiedMastersinArts. Mulwahasalsowrittenotherbooksincluding'Redemption' 1989 ,'MasterandServant' 1979 ,'WeComeinPeace','GlassHouses,' Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.3amongothersbooks. Davidiscurrentlyawriter,lecturer,actorandthedirectorofKenyaPerformingArtsinNairobi. TheSetting ThestoryissetincolonialAfricaintheKutulacolonyundertheBritishrule. Thecolonialmasterslivelavishlyattheexpenseofthepoornativeswhoserveastheirslaves. ThetraditionalrulerofthenativesisKingKutulaXV.ThekingisbentonoverthrowingtheBritishleadershipbyallmeans. Heleadshispeopleinanationaluprisingagainstthewhitesettlersandoutrightlytellsthewhitegovernorthat"...yourpeoplewillcontinuetodie. Everyoneofthem ...GovernorMacayandnoone'llhelpyou...Ihavespoken.". Pg13 . AftertheexitoftheBritish,KutulabecomesarepublicundertheleadershipofLacunaKasooafterthedeathofhis Lacuna's father,KingKutulaXV. LacunaKasoo'sleadershipturnsouttobeworsethantheleadershipof the colonialmasters. It is marred with greed,corruption,incompetenceandassassinations. Hisdictatorialregimetriggersapeacefulcivilrevolutionthatsuccessfullyoverthrowshisleadership. Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.4TheTitle Theplay'Inheritance'revolvesaroundaconflictbetweentheAfricannatives and the white settlers overthe inheritance ofland,itsresourcesandleadership. TheBritishinvasioninAfricanismotivatedbythedesiretotapresourcesfrom Africathroughtheircolonialruleundertheguiseofbringingcivilizationinform ofeducation,infrastructure,andhospitalstothe"primitive"Africans. Oncesettled,thecolonialmastersgraduallygrabbedvastareasoflandfrom thenativesforagriculture,miningandsettlementtherebydisplacingandenslavingthenatives. TheBritishEmpiredependedonAfricaforsurvival,hencethedesiretoruleandcontrolAfricawiththeirresources. Thenatives,throughtheirKingKutula,realizetheurgentneedtoinheritwhatthewhitesettlershaverobbedthem. Wewanttobuildandrunourhomeinourownway. Thislandisourmother. Wewantourchildrentoliveandshareequallywhatshegivesus...allthatyoutakefrom her.". P.12 .A countrywideuprising beginsand theWhiteman'sruleends. KingKutulaXVinheritstheleadershipfromtheBritishmasters. KingKutula'sleadershipislaterinheritedbyhisson,LacunaKasoo. Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.5Lacunaismanipulatedanddeceivedbytheimperialiststokillhisownfather. GoldsteinisawareofLacuna'sinsatiablegreed. Hepromisestogroom LacunatoleadershipaslongasKingKutulaisoutoftheway. HisintentionistogetLacuna,whoiseasytocontrol,Prologue TheprologueopensinGovernorThorneMacay'smansion,whichisdescribedaslavishandonethatrentstheairofpowerandauthority. The Governoris seemingly angry atthe natives'ineptitude andincompetenceandfeelsdisempoweredbytheabolitionofthewhipasthenativeshavenowdownedtheirtools. TheGovernor'sattendanthaskeptBishopMenninger, brainoftheempire PrincessSangoi,andKingKutula,whohavecometoseethegovernor,waitingforanhourbecausethelatterisonatea-break,andwhenaskedwhyhekeepstheguestsforthatlongreplies,.yourordersis:Donotdisturbhisexcellenttea-timeandmeditetioninghour..." p.3-4 . Thenativeshaveriotedagainstthewhitesettlers,destroyedtheirproperty,molestedthewomenandchildrenandhavebreachedtheagreementandtrustmadeearlier asituationthatcouldleadtoalongbloodywar...!". P.8 . Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.6 BishopMenningerhasdocumentedadvicefortheGovernor. Hepointsoutinthedocumentthatnativeswouldneverchangefrom theirconfused simple nature and thatthey would neverbe like thesophisticatedandcivilizedwhitesbutwouldonlyremainascopycats. Healsopointsouttothegovernorthattheimperialistswouldhavetocontinuetoruleandlaybasicrulesforthenativessinceleftontheirown;theywouldoffernothingofsignificance. KingKutula'sentrytothegovernor'smansionisusheredinbyanattendantwhoregardshimwithaweandreverence. Headdressesthekingas"Thesonoftheking from thestarsandtheheaven, pg6 GovernorThorneMacayhasneverunderstoodthe'infernalallegiance thatnativeshavetheirleadersbutMenningerisborn from theirinabilitytoreasonandthink. Heseesthem ascommonanimalswaybelowthewhiteswhomhetermsasdemocraticandcivilized. Governor thorne has summoned the king to register hisdisappointmentaboutkingKutula ssilenceontheescalatingviolenceinhiskingdom resultingfrom thenationwideupraisingbythenativesagainstthewhiteleaders. Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.7 King Kutula dismisses Thorne s concerns by quoting an AfricanproverbtomocktheGovernor. Hesays Thechameleontoldthehare:makeyourstepImakemine;itisgoodcompany friend. Pg8 ThorneisoffendedandthreatenstoimprisonthekingforlifebeforeMenningerremindshim thatheistalkingtotheking. HeasksThorneto askdirectquestionsand avoid thelong winged proverbsandproverbialdrivelswhenthekingbeginstobombardthegovernorwithmanymoreproverbsandsayings. ThorneisthenshockedwhenKutulaadmitshisknowledgeofthecountrywideuprising and hissupportoftheviolenceagainstthegovernor speopledespitetheirgoodwilltobringcivilizationtothenatives. Hesays, Icannotshutthevoicesofmyfather pg10 ThegovernorisshockedbythesuddenchangeofattitudewhenKutulabluntlytellshimthat wedonotwantyouhere! Pg10 Kutularegretswhyhisfathersassentedtotheimperialistdraftedagreementthathadallowedthecolonialisttosubjecthispeopleto Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.8devastatingeffectsoftheiroppressiverulesandexcessivezeal. Kutulathreatensthegovernorthathispeoplewillcontinuetodieifhewon tletthenativesbuildandruntheirhome. He,however,hasnoobjectiontothewhitemanteachingthenativeshiswasbutwithmoderation. Sangoijoinstheleaderandexpressesherwillingnesstogoabroadandpursuethewhiteman'seducation. GovernorThorne'sfearoverKingKutula'seffortstogroomhisadopteddaughteristhatshewillbeanempoweredmatriarchandalionesstocontendwithinthefuture. MenningerisquicktoconsoleThornethatSangoi'seducationwouldonlyconfuseher. TheBishop'splanistounleashSangoiagainsthersimplefolkuponthecompletionofhereducationfortheirbenefit. Tasks1.WhatdoesThornemeanbythestatement,"Africasupports,naymaintains,theempire" pg.4 ? Contact0715298695forothernotes guides.92."Make hera slave...again...Revisithistory,Menninger...revisit..." pg.5 .