1. Romeo and Juliet Day 7
Spring 2016

2. Plan for the day SSR & Reflections
Act III Scene Analysis – Group Activity
Present Scene Summary.
Write and Perform a Mini-Essay with Discussion Prompt.
Lead a Short Discussion.
HW: Read Romeo and Juliet IV.i-iii.

3. SSR Reflections – Interpretation/Empathy
Journal:
1. Create a list of attributes and values to describe the characters you just read about.
2. What do those attributes suggest about the overarching message of the text?

4. Learning Targets
I will be able to analyze the character, conflict, plot, and setting of each scene as it develops through the course of the text.
I will be able to collaborate for the common purpose of helping advance our collective understanding of the text.
I will be able to compose a clear claim with supporting evidence and prompt a discussion with my peers.

5. Act III Scene Analysis Group Activity – Part I
In your group, discuss your scene (setting, action, time of day, characters, conflict, etc.)
Prepare a scene summary that you will present to the class.
Prepare a “Mini-Essay” that you will perform for the class.
What traits or values do these characters portray and what theme is thereby demonstrated?
Provide two or more pieces of textual evidence to support your statement.
Write a conclusion.
4. Compose a level two and three question.

6. Mini-Essay with Discussion Prompt Example
Thesis: In Romeo and Juliet, II.vi, Shakespeare endows the character of Friar Lawrence with excessive optimism, which ignites the shift from comedy to tragedy, and proves the theme that love does not have the power to heal as only fools invest in its false promises.
Evidence 1: In the opening lines of II.vi, Friar Lawrence proclaims, “So smile the heavens upon this holy act; / That after hours with sorrow chide us not” (II.vi.1-2). This utterance suggests that Friar Lawrence views the union of Romeo and Juliet as a happy affair which promises to heal the wounds of the deep wounds of families.
Evidence 2: In describing Juliet when she enters the scene, Friar Lawrence continues with his giddy tone stating, “A lover may bestride the gossamers / That idles in the wanton air, / And yet not fall, so light is vanity” (II.vi ).

7. Example:
Evidence 3: At the end of the scene, Friar Lawrence rushes to marry the star- crossed lovers proclaiming, “Come, come with me we shall make short work, / For by your leaves, you shall not stay alone” (II.vi ). In these lines, his jovial and joking pun alludes to the fact that marriage is an act as natural and easy as leaves falling from a tree in autumn.
Conclusion: Friar Lawrence’s rash actions result in perilous consequences as the lovers take their own lives by the end of the play. His blind faith in the power of love to heal ultimately yields disastrous results and suggests Shakespeare sought to warn us against allowing love to drive our actions and decision-making.
Level 2 Question: Is this a fair characterization of Friar Lawrence? How might the tone and action of the play have changed if the Friar acted with a sense of greater gravity?
Level 3 Question: Is love a thing we should be wary of? Should love play any role in decision-making?

8. Act III Scene Analysis Group Activity – Part II
Present your scene summary
Perform your mini-essay
Ask your discussion question and lead a short exchange (w/ ball).
Audience members
Take notes to add summaries to your journals.
Be ready to respond to questions.

9. Activity Processing
What new insights did you learn about the text, yourselves, collaboration, or the process of writing through competing this activity?
How did this activity help us meet our targets?
Take a moment to be sure you have summary entries for Act III.