Discussion Topic As American colonists questioned British rule, public discussion focused on topics such
as colonial independence and individual rights. In turn, literature from the American
Revolutionary period often reflected important political and social themes, including
national independence, personal liberty, and individualism. In your opinion, how does
the literature of this period influence future generations of American literature? Where
have you seen traces of these themes and how were they presented in the other
literature you read?

Read the excerpt from act ii, scene v of romeo and juliet. friar laurence: these violent delights have violent ends, and in their triumph die, like fire and powder, which, as they kiss consume: the sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness and in the taste confounds the appetite: 15 therefore love moderately; long love doth so; too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. friar laurence is motivated to offer this warning because he knows that something bad will certainly happen to the lovers. feels that romeo is acting foolishly and should not get married. enjoys giving advice because he is wise and can others. wants to caution romeo about the consequences of his actions.