1. “A Plague o’ Both Your Houses” You will need a copy of Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene 1 on page 136 Purpose: to orally interpret a literary text and draft a persuasive text

2. People fight when they feel like they are losing control. Anger usually stems from hurt, fear, frustration, or a combination of the three according to psychologists. Thus, it finding healthy wans to vent when emotionally hurt, fearful about a situation, or frustrated by people or a task becomes essential to minimizing anger. Because I used to have a quick temper as a young person, I had to learn to “vent” in healthy ways; I had to tell people in a calm way what was bothering me. Verbalizing feelings requires one to “label” the problem and verbalize thoughts---a task that takes time and reflection but always makes a person feel better and more in control. Nobody “wins” a fight. Frankly, I do not really like conflict. I would rather get along with people: students, parents, administrators, friends. Everybody is just so human, and we can all be hurt. We are all plowing through life together…geeeeee…why make things worse for one another by fighting in unconstructive ways. There are some circumstances when I would “fight” or show an opinion/preference verbally. When someone is being hurt by words or physically, I would intervene. If someone were being taken advantage of iin a disrespectful or unhealthy way, I would intervene. I do not like to see anyone misused or minimized…especially the elderly, young, or fragile. The consequences of physical fighting are not always positive. No body “wins” in a physical fight; the violence may mask the true problem or solution. Sometimes violence is necessary to protect others whether an individual, family, or nation. There is always heartache: everyone is someone’s brother, sister, parent, child, grandparent. Losses are inevitable. However, with wars or violence for protection of society, I hope a great good is served. Why do people fight? Who usually wins in a fight? Why? Under what circumstances would you fight? What are the consequences of fighting?

3. With your shoulder partners, try to imagine the action in your head and think about why the characters are doing what they are doing. With your shoulder partners, complete the chart on page 288 involving Romeo, Mercutio, Tybalt, Benvolio’s behavior and motivations.