1. Act 3 Scene 2 – Juliet waits for Romeo
How does Shakespeare portray Juliet’s emotions at the start of Act 3 Scene 2?

2. Warm up tasks
Look at all the information you’re given. What kind of speech is this?
Read the first few lines. Based on the imagery she is using, what attitude can you identify/how is she feeling? (Calm, impatient, resigned, excited…)
Thinking back to what has happened in the previous scene, how would the opening to this subsequent scene appear to the audience? What do you think would strike them about it?

3. Exploring Juliet’s soliloquy (waiting for Romeo and their wedding night)
Key language features:
Commanding language (imperatives)
Lexical field of speed/haste
References to Greek mythology
Personification
Metaphor, simile
Symbolism, connotations
Green: Where do I use these particular devices?
Yellow: What effect/s and meaning/s are created?
Red: Why do you think so much figurative language is used here?
Blue: Why do I not use more literal language?

4. Contextual information
Read
lines
Contextual information
Discussion
1-4
‘Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds’
In Greek myth, Phaeton, the child of the Sun, took the reins of his father’s chariot. The horses galloped away, bringing night early and bringing disaster to the world
Explain: Why Juliet longs for night to come
Explore: how the connotations of the words and this image affect your interpretation of Juliet’s statement.
10-13
‘Thou sober-suited matron all in black’
The matron (an older woman) is a poetic device, a personification of night. She is being asked for advice about a first sexual experience.
Explain: what Juliet wants the night to teach her.
Explore: the connotations of the image and words such as ‘civil’, ‘Night’, ‘sober’, ‘matron’, ‘all in black’.
17-19
‘For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night’
In Greek myths the raven is associated with good luck, but in British myths it is linked with death. New snow symbolises purity and beauty but also suggests the coming of winter.
Explain: how Juliet describes Romeo’s beauty.
Explore: the conflict between the positive and negative connotations of the raven and the snow; and what they add to your interpretation of Juliet’s words.

5. The night as a motif
The night is repeatedly referenced in the play and this is frequently the time when Romeo and Juliet meet/the most passionate scenes occur – why?
What positive and negative connotations might we hold with the night/darkness?
Fan and Pick: Explore the key quotations about night in your groups:
Person 1: fan cards
Person 2: chooses card/ reads quote
Person 3: says who’s talking/ when/about who
Person 4: Explains the significance of night in this quote