to remind them of the story so far, to put in context the scene to be studied and establish the actions which have moved the plot on to the point where the scene starts.

Summary information which can be used instead of student activity, and serves as a checklist of key points in the story: The play opens with "The Prologue" which sets out what the play is going to be about. It talks of fresh fighting breaking out because of an "ancient feud" between two important households in Verona. Despite this, two young people from the opposing households fall in love and it is only when they "take their lives" in despair that the parents at last "bury their . . . strife". The action begins with a meeting in the street between Capulet and Montague servants who provoke each other to a fight. Benvolio, a Montague and more of a peacemaker, draws his sword to try to stop the brawling but Tybalt, from the house of Capulet is always ready for a fight. He goads Benvolio, saying: "What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee", and the two young men fight. The citizens of Verona take sides and there is a real brawl which brings Lord Capulet and Lord Montague onto the street and they prepare to join in as their wives try to hold them back. The noise attracts the Prince of Verona who is furious that they have breached the peace of his city for a third time. He decrees that any further fights will incur the death penalty. Lord and Lady Montague are worried about their son, Romeo, who has turned moody and shuts himself away all day - although Lady Montague is relieved that he hasn’t taken part in the fight. Benvolio, who is Romeo’s friend, undertakes to find out what is wrong with him and Romeo confesses that he is hopelessly in love with a girl who does not return his love. Benvolio advises him to forget her and find someone else. Meanwhile, Capulet, Juliet’s father, is negotiating with Paris about marriage to Juliet but at the moment he feels Paris should wait another two years as Juliet is too young at not quite fourteen. He is going to hold "an old accustomed feast" to which he invites Paris and then sends his servant off with a list and instructions to invite all those named on it. Unfortunately, the servant cannot read and when he meets Benvolio and Romeo he asks Romeo to help him by reading out the names. Benvolio suggests they attend the party as, according to the guest list, the girl Romeo is so desperately in love with, Rosaline, will be there and Romeo will be able to see that she is only one of many beautiful girls. Romeo is reluctant but is persuaded to go. In the presence of the nurse, who is enthusiastic about the proposed match, Lady Capulet sounds Juliet out concerning marriage. Juliet had never thought about it but her mother tells her of Paris’s suit and that he will be at the feast so Juliet will be able to look him over. Juliet agrees dutifully to do as her mother asks, but without enthusiasm. At the feast, Tybalt recognises Romeo and wants to challenge him but Capulet prevents him, not wanting his party disrupted. In fact, Capulet speaks well of Romeo and loses his temper with Tybalt when it seems he won’t calm down and obey his uncle. Romeo and Juliet encounter each other and fall passionately in love before they discover they are from opposing houses, by which time it is too late.   SECTION ONE The Chorus (Units 2 and 3) UNIT TWO Read-throughs and brief whole class discussion of section one, The Chorus Time: about 5 minutes Aim:

to establish Who, What, Where, When

1. Read-throughs 2. Brief discussion to establish Who, What, Where, When

Who is involved The Chorus What is happening The Chorus is reminding the audience how Romeo no longer loves Rosaline but has now fallen in love with Juliet. He points out that there will be difficulties because they are from opposing households. It will not be easy for them to meet - especially Juliet. Love will find a way. Where it is happening Not clear. There are different stage directions in different editions Probably a street adjoining the Capulets’ walled garden. Benvolio says later, He ran this way and leapt this orchard wall". When it is happening After the feast, late Sunday night, early Monday morning.

UNIT THREE "Match the facts to the lines" followed by a brief whole class discussion and final read-through. Time: about 10 minutes Aim:

establish the How and Why

1. Find the match.

Either: You read out a reasonable paraphrase of the points made (as below) and students must find the corresponding lines as quickly as possible. Or: Photocopy the paraphrase and chorus provided below. Separate the paraphrase and chorus parts and stick onto 12 separate cards. Divide your class into 12 groups and give each a card. Groups then move round and match quotation to paraphrase, get themselves in order and read round a final version - the paraphrase followed by the quotation. (a) Romeo is no longer in love with Rosaline but with Juliet. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, That fair for which love groan'd for and would die, With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair. (b) It is love at first sight for both of them. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks, (c) Because the two households are locked into the feud their love is dangerous. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks: (d) It will be difficult for Romeo to meet Juliet and declare his love. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear; (e) Juliet is just as much in love but it will be even harder for her to arrange a meeting. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new-belovèd anywhere: (f) The strength of their love means they will find a way and soften the anguish of their difficulties. ----------------------- cut, and stick parts onto separate cards. ----------------------- But passion lends them power, time means, to meet Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.

2. Brief whole class discussion

Why is there a chorus at this point? Another external comment reminds you that the story is already written, the ending inevitable and it cannot be happy even though the two young people seem to have found each other. To fill in the outline in case any of the audience has missed, will miss or can’t follow important parts of the plot. Remember poor sight-lines and lots of noise associated with the Elizabethan stage plus a situation complicated by the audience having to work out which characters belong to which household and who precisely Romeo is in love with. What imagery is used to show Juliet will be playing a dangerous game trying to meet Romeo? "And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks" like a fish trying to steal the bait from a hook without being caught. If a fish is caught, it means death. Why is it going to be harder for Juliet than Romeo to manage a meeting? She is a young woman in a society where women of her class were shielded from the world and not expected to go out alone. Tell them to notice in the next scene that although Juliet proposes the marriage, Romeo has to do all the arranging and Juliet cannot go herself to find out the plans, she has to send a messenger. Her father has already said that they have protected her more than most as she is the only child they have left: ("My child is yet a stranger in the world", 1,2 the conversation with Paris).

3. Final read through SECTION TWO from Romeo’s entrance to the end of the scene (Units 4 and 5) The cuts in this scene have been made to Mercutio’s comments on love - many of them are extremely lewd. It is up to you to decide whether to go into detail. It is not necessary beyond establishing that they provide a complete contrast to the idealistic love we are going to see between Romeo and Juliet, especially as expressed almost immediately in the romantic language of the balcony scene which follows, and, more convincingly, in the aubade and leave-taking at the beginning of 3,5 after the consummation of their love. It also reinforces Mercutio’s inability to see love as anything more than sex. You can use Mercutio’s lines "I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us!" to serve as a mild enough example. With more mature classes, it can be useful to establish just how bawdy Shakespeare could be. The notes on any unabridged edition will give explanations and students need little encouragement to look them up. You need not feel obliged to give graphic interpretations. UNIT FOUR Read-throughs and brief whole class discussion of section two Time: about 5 minutes Aim:

to establish Who, What, Where, When

1. Read-throughs 2. Brief discussion to establish Who, What, Where, When

Who is involved Romeo Benvolio Mercutio What is happening Romeo is reluctant to leave because his heart remains with Juliet. When he hears his friends calling for him, he hides. Benvolio and Mercutio are looking for Romeo. Mercutio has plenty to say, still scornful and vulgar, about love. Benvolio thinks Mercutio’s comments will only make Romeo angry. They can’t find Romeo and leave. Where it is happening As above. When it is happening As above.

UNIT FIVE Discussion and activity Time: about 15 minutes Aim:

establish the How and Why

1. Discussion

Romeo has broken away from his friends again. His love is isolating him from them. From the imagery of his opening two lines, how does he see himself? He is the "dull earth" because he has no heart. Juliet now has his heart and so she is now the centre of his world. Remembering the Elizabethan stage, where might Romeo hide himself? Behind one of the pillars? In the shadows at the back of the stage under the gallery? How do we know that Benvolio has been trying to keep an eye on Romeo, as he promised Lady Montague he would? "He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall:" How does Shakespeare remind us that it is dark? (Remember plays were only performed during daylight) Benvolio comments on the night and the dark. Mercutio says goodnight and that he’s off to sleep.

2. Try This

After considering the following question, students should pair up and practise the abridged exchange between Benvolio and Mercutio, trying to get the tone right to bring out the characters of the two friends. Choose as many pairs as convenient to the time available and let them try out the dialogue. Discuss the performances. This can be used in place of the final read through. What would actors need to consider about the characters of Mercutio and Benvolio and bring out in the delivery of their lines? Mercutio is full of life and a great talker. He doesn’t take things seriously, everything is a source of entertainment - especially love which he sees only as a subject for jokes. He can’t understand Romeo’s attitude and is not prepared to try. He brushes aside Benvolio’s warning that Romeo will be angry with the way he is making fun of his friend. Benvolio is more understanding and reliable. He has been watching and knows in which direction Romeo has gone. He is prepared to take Romeo seriously even though he has tried to persuade him that his love isn’t as serious as he thinks. He knows his friend and comments that Romeo won’t appreciate Mercutio’s endless taunting. He also understands that Romeo doesn’t want to be found and is the one to suggest they leave him alone.

{EXTENSION WORK SUGGESTION

If you feel so inclined, tackle the three speeches of Mercutio in their unabridged versions There isn’t a great deal to say beyond establishing just how scabrous Shakespeare could be. In the first one, beginning "Nay, I’ll conjure too", in order to get Romeo to speak and reveal where he is hiding, he asks him to speak to "my gossip Venus one fair word" as though he and the goddess of Love are close friends. Then, he uses a rather obscure reference: he asks Romeo to find a nick-name for Cupid whom he calls "Young Abraham Cupid", the implication of which seems to be that Cupid is mad, untrustworthy and a fraud as well as being blind. ("Abraham men" were beggars who pretended to be mad and wore the badge of Bedlam in order to gain sympathy when begging). It’s a cynical, rather worldly-wise comment but not worth too much trouble as no-one seems to know exactly what it means. He then returns to his usual ribald humour which, in the other two speeches, becomes increasingly vulgar in its double entendre (To explain or not to explain? It’s up to you)}.

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