Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Scene 4 and 5 Date: Objectives Finish Act 4 Scene 4 and 5 See Juliet and the Friar’s plan in action. By the end of the class, students should have a deeper understanding of events leading to Romeo and Juliet’s death. Warm –up – write the quote, answer the questions “Alas, alas! Help, help! My lady is dead! O weraday that ever I was born!” (Nurse) It is never easy to deal with death, especially when the person is young or the death is sudden. Humans have created traditions however to help and support people through these times? Can you think of any such traditions? Also, do you know any foreign customs as well, such as Jewish people staying with the body overnight?

Today’s Reading Act 4 Scene 4 2.21 – 2.23 This scene is building up the tension. Lord Capulet is preparing the wedding and sends the Nurse to go wake Juliet. Scene 5 2.23 – 2.32 Juliet’s ‘dead body’ is discovered. The Nurse, Paris and her parents are shocked and blame themselves. Friar Laurence, who knows she is not really dead, tries to console them all and make them feel better. Audiobook at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDFQL_LfeY

Notes – Act 4 Scene 4 This is just a scene to build tension. In some performances, you can see Juliet’s body on the stage. This shows the difference in the mood of the two scenes. There is an energy and happy banter as people prepare the wedding, in contrast to Juliet who sadly sleeps. Lord Capulet and the Nurse are happy in this scene, which will change quickly when they discover Juliet.

Notes – Act 4 Scene 5 Juliet’s ‘death’ shows the true feelings of everyone involved in the play. Lord Capulet, who had called her a curse before, now refers to her as “ the sweetest flower in all the field”. He realises that, as his only child and heir is dead, he has nobody to leave his fortune to anymore. Lady Capulet expresses that Juliet was her reason for living and so is ready to die; “Revive, look up, or O will die with thee”. Paris shows he was excited to marry Juliet and feels deeply saddened and cheated by death itself. Friar Laurence tries to make them feel better. He argues that they should not mourn as Juliet is in heaven. He also suggest that it is better to die young than live as an old lady. All of this is rather harsh, uncomfortable and rude however, he knows Juliet is not dead which may explain his attitude.

Exercises In pairs, discuss the following: Have you ever been to a wedding? What do you think is involved in organising a wedding? Lord Capulet organises this wedding in just a few days? What would he have to set up? Is there anything strange you would like to have at your own wedding one day?

Exercise In pairs, write and perform the following scenario. Both of you enter a room to find a friend dead on the floor. Your partner is less shocked or surprised than you though. You blame yourself for his death. You also blame ‘death’ (pretending he is a physical person). Your partner tries to make you feel better. He is very cold, unsympathetic and not very emotional however. He’s a bit mean. End by deciding what to do with the body.

Questions – Point, “reference”, explain. In your opinion, which one of the following words best describe scene four. Explain why? happy, sad, excited, suspenseful, uncomfortable, funny. How does the Nurse react to Juliet’s death? How do her parents react to her death? How does Paris react to her death? How does Friar Laurence react to Juliet’s death?

Cooldown Question Imagine you are casting for the movie of Romeo and Juliet? What would you be looking for in the actor playing Romeo or Juliet? What would they look like? Can you name an actor you’d suggest?