Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 and 2 Date: Objectives Finish Reading Scene 1 and Scene 2 of Act 1. Introduce the male lead in the play; Romeo Montague. By the end of this class, students should have an opinion on Romeo. Warm –up – write the quote, answer the question “A madness most discreet,/A choking gall and a preserving sweet”. (discreet: careful/quiet) (gall: something bitter) This is how Romeo defines love; as madness. He believes love consists of opposites (crazy yet careful, bitter yet sweet). Divide a page in half. On the left, put all the ways love and friendship could make you happy. On the right put all the ways love could make you sad or angry.

Today’s Reading Act 1 Scene 1. The Prince has just outlawed all violence between the families on pain of death. 6.30 – 9.30 Benvolio (the peacemaker) is asked by Lord and Lady Montague to keep an eye on their son; Romeo, who looks depressed at the moment. 9.30 – 14.00 Introduces Romeo who is sad because the girl he likes; Rosaline, is not interested. He can be a bit overdramatic. Act 1 Scene 2 14.00 – 16.30 Count Paris asks permission to marry Lord Capulet’s only daughter; Juliet Capulet. A party will be held later where they can meet. 16.30 – 20.00 Romeo and Benvolio find out about this party and Romeo, who discovers Rosaline will be there, really wants to sneak into it. Audiobook at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDFQL_LfeY

Notes – Act 1 Scene 1 (part 2) Romeo and Benvolio are cousins and friends. Benvolio acts like a big brother and is asked to look after Romeo. Romeo’s parents are worried because he has been looking sad and depressed. They trust Benvolio to find out why so they can help him. Romeo is obsessed with Rosaline but they cannot be together. She is firstly a Capulet and has also sworn never to marry anyone. This makes Romeo feel half-dead inside; “She hath foresworn to love; and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now” This is the first of many examples showing Romeo to be sensitive, overdramatic or childish.

Notes – Act 1 Scene 2 Count Paris; a young nobleman and relation of the Prince, desires Juliet Capulet’s hand in marriage. Her father and Paris agree that Juliet should consent (agree) to the marriage first and that they should wait two years until she is sixteen years old. (She is almost fourteen but she is still thirteen years old.) Lord Capulet will be hosting a great party and hopes the two of them will meet and fall in love there. He sends a servant out with invitations. By chance or fate then, Romeo and Benvolio meet this servant. After seeing Rosaline’s name on the invitations, Romeo decides to sneak into the party as Monatgues would not be welcomed. Benvolio encourages him to go in hopes Romeo will meet another girl.

Exercises In pairs, draw a line down the centre of a page. One person argue and write bullet points in FAVOUR of arranged marriages. The other person argue and write bullet points AGAINST the idea of arranged marriages. For clarity, arranged marriages are when your parents decide who you will marry.

Exercises In pairs, come up with and act out a scenario. One person has to be REALLY sad about something. The other person has to try and cheer them up. It can be about anything – a test, sport, no more candy, Trump becoming President. Should last about a minute (two max).

Questions – Point, “reference”, explain. What are your impressions of Romeo? Examine the last couple of things Benvolio says in this scene. What advise is he giving Romeo? Do you think this is good advise? What are your impressions of Paris? What do you think about the idea of arranged marriages; someone’s parents organising their life partner? What do you think of the arranged marriage in the play? Imagine you are Romeo Montague. Would you go uninvited to a Capulet Feast? Why or why not?

Cooldown Question Parents arranging marriages was once quite common. What do you think they would be looking for in your future partner and is that different than what you’d be looking for? How would it make you feel?