Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scene 3 Date: Objectives Finish Act 3 Scene 3 See Romeo’s reaction to his own actions. By the end of the class, students should have a deeper understanding of Romeo’s character. Warm –up – write the quote, answer the questions “There is no world without Verona’s walls, But purgatory, torture, hell itself” Romeo gets a bit suicidal in this scene, believing that he cannot live without Juliet. Our question therefore is this: Do you consider yourself an optimist (looking on the bright side – everything will be great) or a pessimist (the opposite)? Why?

Today’s Reading Act 3 Scene 3 1.41 – 1.45 Friar Laurence, much like the Nurse for Juliet, is trying to make Romeo feel better. He is trying to show him the bright side of things by explaining that banishment is better than death. Romeo disagrees. 1.45 – 1.52 The Nurse arrives to tell Romeo how Juliet is getting on. Romeo’s reaction is to try to stab himself. Romeo is advised to go see Juliet while everyone hopes things will work out somehow. Audiobook at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDFQL_LfeY

Notes – Act 3 Scene 3 part 1 Friar Laurence plays much the same role as the Nurse. He is a friend and someone who looks after Romeo. He recognises that Romeo is in despair after the events so far and tries to help. He believes he is bringing Romeo good news when he tells him the Prince has only banished him and tries to make Romeo see how lucky he is. Romeo argues that Verona is all he knows and that exile from that world is the same as death. There is no meaning for him; specifically no Juliet for him, outside the walls of the city. Romeo has very extreme emotions here and is very immature.

Notes – Act 3 Scene 3 part 2 When Romeo tries to kill himself, it is the Nurse who stops him. Then Friar Laurence gives a powerful speech; much like a sermon, to teach Romeo the error of his ways. He points out what Romeo should be grateful for; that he is alive, able to go to Juliet’s side and that there is hope one day he might return to Verona. The Friar’s words, alongside Juliet’s ring as a sign of proof she still loves him, turns Romeo’s mood from despair to joy. “How well my comfort is revived by this” It should be noted that Friar Laurence predicts that if Romeo were to kill himself, Juliet would die too.

Exercises In pairs, discuss and list things you are grateful for. The fact that you are here means you are more fortunate than many people so write down what you may have in your life that others wish they had.

Exercise In pairs, write and perform the following scenario. One person has gotten in trouble and is hiding because he doesn’t want to get punished. His friend comes in to tell him what his punishment is and it is a much nicer, less scary punishment than you thought he might get. The person in trouble gets overdramatic however, acting like it’s the end of the world and it will kill him to get this punishment. He tries to FAKE stab himself and his friend has to calm him down.

Questions – Point, “reference”, explain. What is your opinion of Friar Laurence after this scene? How does Romeo react to hearing he is to be banished from Verona? How does Romeo react when the nurse tells him how upset Juliet is? Explain in your own words, and with reference to the scene, Friar Laurence’s long speech to Romeo. What does he say and what does it mean? How does Romeo’s mood change from the beginning to the end of this scene?

Cooldown Question Friar Laurence makes a good point when he says that more people than Romeo would be hurt if he hurt himself? Who would be affected if Romeo had stabbed himself here? Who would be sad? Think back to Act One as well.