Romeo and Juliet – Act I, Scene IV
Some themes of this scene are a little advanced and mature and
can be read quickly – In this scene we learn more about Mercutio and his
relationship with Romeo. He is a very good friend and can make fun of him with
his puns. Knowing how good of a friend he is will help us understand Romeo's later action. We also learn that Mercutio
has a great imagination (58 to 100) and gets very passionate. His long speech allows us to see how
different Benvolio is from Mercutio. Benvolio is grounded and wise, and he
brings his friends back to reason: “This wind you talk of blows us from
ourselves (from our route, our mission). Supper
is done, and we shall come too late.” (111-112).
In this scene, it is important to note Romeo premonition
that something bad is about to happen, something that is written in the stars (destiny),
that will start during this party "some consequences, yet hanging in the stars, shall bitterly begin … with this night’s
revels”, and will end with Romeo’s death "and expire the term of a despised
life, clos’d in my breast,". There is the notion that Romeo is helpless and can
only follow the course of his destiny, "But He, that hath the steerage of my
course, direct my sail!" (113-120).
Romeo and Juliet – Act I, Scene V
In this scene, Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first
time. Read that scene and answer the following questions (collected assignment). For each answer, write
out the exact lines (with numbers) that give you the answers as I have shown
for scene IV.
1- Find examples that show Capulet’s
good disposition (probably because of the party).
2- How do we know that Romeo and Juliet
didn’t know each other?
3- Find more examples of Tybalt anger
and rage in this scene.
4. Find four compliments that Romeo
gives when speaking about Juliet’s beauty (46-54)
5- How does Romeo learn that Juliet is
a Capulet and how does Juliet learn that Romeo is a Montague?
6- Find the rhymes of the sonnet
shared by Romeo and Juliet (98-111)
7- Note the metaphors Romeo and Juliet
use to convince each other they can kiss.
Read very well the following lines: read them several times + try to
learn some sections by heart.
Capulet: 15-24
Romeo: 46-55
Tybalt / Capulet: 56-97 (when
learning this section, choose to be Tybalt or Capulet. In 90-93, Capulet talks to Tybalt, to
his guests, or to his servants)
Romeo / Juliet: 98-116
