Act IThemes to focus on after the first scene (and every scene after):
+ Women are stronger than men + Young men's hearts are in their eyes (and looking at scene iii, is it only men?) + The quest for identity and purpose can become a misadventure Motifs: Immaturity Sanity/Insanity Scene I: Things to Notice:
What have you noticed about Romeo's, Benvolio's, and Tybalt's characters up to this point? What has the Prince declared will happen if anyone is caught fighting in Verona again? With whom is Romeo infatuated with? Why are his feelings pointless? What purpose do oxymorons serve in this scene? How does Romeo start to establish some of the above themes and motifs? Scene II: Things to Look For: Where do we see multiple examples of dramatic irony in this scene? In line 54, how can Romeo's response to Benvolio's question be interpreted? How does this influence Romeo's characterization? What are your opinions of Capulet and Paris? Scene III: Things to Analyze: We are finally introduced to Juliet and the Nurse. What do we learn about these two characters along with Lady Capulet? Specifically, what do we learn about the Nurse, both directly and indirectly? How does this scene build upon themes that we have previously discussed? How do they change a little? Scene IV: Analyzing Video and Writing: What are your first impressions of Mercutio? Lines 97-113 are incredibly important and foreshadow major upcoming events. What is being said in these lines? What is it foreshadowing? How does connotation and diction impact these lines? What purpose does Queen Mab serve in this scene? Why is Mercutio's description of her and dreams important? Scene V: Comparing Multiple Videos and Writing: Introducing...THE MOST EPIC PICK UP LINE EVER..... ROMEO [To JULIET]: If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. JULIET: Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. ROMEO: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? JULIET: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.100 ROMEO: O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. JULIET: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. ROMEO: Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged. JULIET: Then have my lips the sin that they have took. ROMEO: Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again. How has Romeo's prophecy from scene 4 started to come true in this scene? Explain the extended metaphor (which is littered with puns) that Romeo uses in what can only be known as the most epic pick up line ever (and in my opinion, is one of the only times in the play you can actually have a little bit of respect for Romeo). How does Juliet react? How are our themes developed during this scene? How are Tybalt and Capulet characterized in this scene? Explain. Is love possible in such a short meeting? Does love at first sight really exist? Does true love even really exist? Act IIScene I: Short and Sweet
Romeo hops over a wall to hide from Mercutio and Benvolio who are looking for him. Mercutio yells and mocks Romeo for his romantic passions. Benvolio tries to get him to stop, worried Romeo may be close enough to hear him and may get angry because Mercutio is not only mocking Romeo, but he is also making jokes at Rosaline's expense. Who knows about Romeo and Juliet's "meet-cute"? Scene II: One of the most famous romantic scenes of all time.... ....and Romeo creeps it up. Why can Romeo be considered a little creepy during this scene? Traditionally, the moon is a symbol of chastity. How does Romeo play with light and dark imagery, especially the moon, in lines 2-32? In lines 66-69, what literary technique does Romeo use? Explain. How can we characterize Juliet in this scene? What about Romeo? What decision is made before they part ways? What do you think about this? Find examples of the following literary elements: Metaphor (2) Simile (1) Pun (1) Personification (1) Paradox (1) Imagery (1) Scene III: Friar criticizes Romeo's fickle love How does Friar Lawrence use light and dark imagery at the start of the scene? How does this compare to Romeo's? What is Friar doing when Romeo enters? How is this foreshadowing? How would you describe Romeo and Friar's relationship? Explain. What is Friar's opinion of Romeo's love interest? When asked to marry Romeo and Juliet, what is Friar's response? What is his reasoning? Scene IV: Tybalt's plan, Mercutio vs. the Nurse, and Romeo's plan Where do we see dramatic irony in this scene? What are Benvolio and Mercutio discussing at the start of the scene? Describe Romeo and Mercutio's conversation. How do the Nurse and Mercutio interact? What plans does Romeo make with the nurse? Scene V: Juliet awaits the Nurse's news Juliet and the Nurse banter back and forth as Juliet tries to find out Romeo's plan. The plan is shown in lines 68-77 as the Nurse explains it to Juliet: Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; There stays a husband to make you a wife. Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks. They'll be in scarlet straight at any news. Hie you to church; I must another way, To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark. I am the drudge, and toil in your delight; But you shall bear the burden soon at night. Go; I'll to dinner hie you to the cell. Scene VI: Romeo and Juliet tie the knot In this scene, Romeo and Juliet are in Friar's cell preparing to be married. The scene (and act) ends with Friar starting the wedding. We can infer that they are married going into the next act. Act IIIScene I: Live from Verona....It's the Jerry Springer Show!
What are Benvolio and Mercutio talking about at the start of the scene? What is Benvolio concerned about? How does Mercutio mock him? Why is Tybalt looking for Romeo? How does Mercutio act towards Tybalt? How does he use puns to mock Tybalt before Romeo even arrives? How does Romeo react when Tybalt tries to fight him? Where do we see dramatic irony during this part of the scene? How does Mercutio get injured during his fight with Tybalt? What is unique about Mercutio's actions after he is hurt? Why does Romeo fight Tybalt afterall? Who wins? Why is the Prince so upset when he sees Mercutio and Tybalt dead? What arguments are made for and against Romeo? What decision does the Prince finally make? Scene II: Juliet's decision: do I hate my husband for killing my cousin? What is the Nurse carrying when she walks up to Juliet? How is dramatic irony used in this scene? How is the Nurse's continue to push people's buttons in this scene? What is Juliet's reaction to the news of Romeo and Tybalt? Who does she side with? Scene III: Romeo continues to be a blubbering fool What is Romeo's reaction to his punishment? What do the Friar and the Nurse say to Romeo? What does Romeo try to do? What plan does Friar come up with? Scene IV: As if things weren't complicated enough... What conversation do Paris and Capulet have? What decision do they come to? What is slightly humorous about the planning of the event that they discuss (pertaining to the timing of it)? Where do we see examples of dramatic irony here? Scene V: Romeo leaves and Capulet doesn't hold back (and it is epic) What is the significance of the lark and nightingale that Romeo and Juliet discuss at the start of the scene? Where do we see foreshadowing in this scene? How does Romeo's departure parallel another scene in the play? Where is Romeo going when he leaves? What news does Lady Capulet share with Juliet? How does Juliet react? Where do we see dramatic irony during Lady Capulet and Juliet's conversation? How does Capulet react when Juliet tells him her thoughts on the news? How do we see the theme, "women are stronger than men" continued here? Why does Juliet get Act IVScene I: Desperation sets in
Why is Paris in Friar Laurence's cell speaking to him when Juliet arrives? Describe Juliet and Paris' conversation and their interactions with each other. Why is Juliet upset after Paris leaves? What does Friar Laurence ask her? What six things does Juliet say she is willing to do in order to be with Romeo? Describe the plan Friar creates to solve Juliet's (and his) problem. Scene II: A twist that ruins everything What is happening at the start of the scene? How does Capulet feel about Juliet before she comes to speak to him? What does Juliet come to speak to him about? What change is made that alters the course of everything? Scene III: Juliet's fears Why does Juliet want the Nurse and Lady Capulet out of her room for the night? What are Juliet's four fears that she has before taking the potion? How does she plan to resolve her first fear if it comes true? How does she soothe her second fear? What is the significance of Tybalt's ghost that Juliet mentions at the end of her soliloquy? How does this scene end? Scene IV: False Happiness for the Capulets This very short scene shows Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Nurse overseeing the preparations for the wedding. They are very joyous at the fact that Juliet is marrying Paris. As the scene ends, they hear Paris coming, so Capulet sends the Nurse up to Juliet's room to wake her. Where do we see dramatic irony in play here? Scene V: What's the difference between a wedding and a funeral? In the Capulet house, absolutely nothing. At the start of the scene, the Nurse goes to Juliet's room to wake her up. As we could expect, it doesn't go well. The Nurse becomes extremely emotional when she realizes Juliet is "dead." Lady Capulet and Capulet run upstairs when they hear the Nurse screaming and become very upset as well. The entire scene is very emotional. Paris is also upset. He is sad because of Juliet's death (he really is not a bad guy at all), but he also feels kind of cheated because his wife-to-be died on his wedding day (kind of a buzz kill for him). When the Friar shows up, he soothes Juliet's family and tries to get them to get going with the funeral process. They end up turning the wedding into a funeral (why not considering everyone was already planning on showing up and they had plenty of food already). What is Friar Laurence's chief concern when arriving on the scene? What does he know that no one else knows? Act VScene I: Romeo is misinformed
What does Balthasar tell Romeo that could be a problem? How was Romeo supposed to be informed about the plan Friar made with Juliet? What does Romeo purchase and from whom? Why is this person hesitant to sell Romeo this item? Why does he decide to do it anyways? What does Romeo plan to do now? Scene II: Friar John screws everything up Who was supposed to bring a letter to Romeo? What information was expected to be in there? Why wasn't this letter delivered? What is Friar Laurence going to do about it? Scene III: And...everyone dies. The End. What is Paris doing at the Capulet monument? What does Romeo threaten Balthazar with and why? Why does Paris get upset when he sees Romeo near the monument? What happens between Paris and Romeo? What is Paris' final request? Does Romeo do it? As Romeo looks at Juliet, the most dramatic form of dramatic irony takes place. What is it? What is Friar mainly concerned with when he gets to the tomb and Juliet wakes up? How does Juliet kill herself? Who looks the most guilty when the Prince shows up? How does he get out of it? Who do we learn dies from grief of Romeo's exile? Who does Prince say is to blame for all of this death? What is the result at the end of the play? Be specific. |
Reading LogYou need to update your reading log everyday as we read Romeo and Juliet. If I say this is important or we talk about it at length, you should make a note about it. For some acts or scenes, I'll give you specific questions or literary effects to look for while others I will leave open ended. Either way, treat these like your annotations. Be detailed. Always look for things like theme, characterization, irony, and foreshadowing. Reading logs will be kept in your Literature section of your notebook. The more detailed they are, the better prepared you will be later on.
More Themes to Think About:
+ The force of love is unstoppable + Individuality conflicts with society + Fate is as inevitable as death + Youth vs. Age
O, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris,
From off the battlements of any tower, Or walk in thievish ways, or bid me lurk Where serpents are; chain me with roaring bears, Or hide me nightly in a charnel house, O'ercovered quite with dead men's rattling bones, With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls; Or bid me go into a new-made grave And hide me with a dead man in his shroud- Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble- And I will do it without fear or doubt, To live an unstained wife to my sweet love. Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins that almost freezes up the heat of life. I'll call them back again to comfort me. Nurse! - What should she do hear? My dismal scene I needs must act alone. Come, vial.
What is this mixture do not work at all? Shall I be married then tomorrow morning? No, no! This shall forbid it. Lie thou there. What if it be a poison which the friar subtly hath ministered to have me dead, lest in this marriage he should be dishonored because he married me before to Romeo? I fear it is; and yet methinks it should not, for he hath still been tried a holy man. How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo come to redeem me? There's a fearful point! Shall I not then be stifled in the vault, to whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in, and there die strangled ere my Romeo comes? Or, if I live, is it not very like the horrible conceit of death and night, together with the terror of the place- as in a vault, an ancient receptacle where for this many hundred years the bones of all my buried ancestors are packed; where bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth, lies fest'ring in his shroud; where, as they say, at some hours in the night spirits resort- alack, alack, is it not like that I, so early waking-what with loathsome smells, and shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earth, that living mortals, hearing them, run mad- I, if I wake, shall I not be distraught, environed with all these hideous fears, and madly play with my forefathers' joins, and pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud, and, in this rage, with some great kinsman's bone as with a club dash out my desp'rate brains? O, look! Methinks I see my cousin's ghost seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body upon a rapier's point. Stay, Tybalt, stay! Romeo, Romeo, Romeo, I drink to thee. Ending scene in Leonardo DiCaprio movie adaptation
Ending scene in 1968 film adaptation
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