Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 5 Date: Objectives Finish Act 1 Scene five Introduce ‘the party scene’ where Romeo and Juliet first meet. By the end of the class, students should have an opinion about Romeo and Juliet as a couple. Warm –up – write the quote, answer the questions “ Did my heart love till now? Foreswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (C50) Romeo and Juliet ‘fall in love at first sight’. Have you heard that phrase before? Describe what you think Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting might look like?

Today’s Reading Act 1 Scene 5 This is a party thrown by Lord Capulet. He hopes his daughter will meet and fall in love with Paris. Romeo and his friends are about to crash the party wearing masks. 32.30 – 38.00 Tybalt sees Montagues at this no-Montague party and gets angry. He begs Lord Capulet to let him fight but is refused. 38.00 – 41.30 Romeo and Juliet meet, kiss and then discover each others names. Audiobook at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDFQL_LfeY

Notes – Act 1 Scene 5 (part 1) Clever Benvolio’s plan was for Romeo to see other women to get over Rosaline and it works. This might show that Romeo was not really in love with Rosaline or is shallow and immature. Romeo is discovered at the party. Tybalt calls him a villain and wishes to kill him. Lord Capulet’s defence of Romeo however shows how good a reputation the young boy has in Verona. Tybalt’s part in this scene is key to the play. It is the second time he is told he is not allowed to fight. His anger and hatred will now grow and fester; looking for a way to get out.

Notes – Act 1 Scene 5 (part 2) Romeo and Juliet fall in love without knowing each others names. It is the Nurse that informs each of them who the other is. They are both deeply troubled by the fact they have fallen in love with someone they are expected to hate. This scene features an ‘aside’. Romeo talk to himself when he asks: “Is she a Capulet O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” When a character speaks to themselves or the audience, they do not lie or hide anything. It is ‘inside information’ and tells us a lot about the character.

Exercises In pairs discuss and present an answer to the following. Have you ever had a ‘bad feeling’ something bad was about to happen? If so, tell your partner what it was about. If you have not had this feeling, discuss a time it could happen. Under what circumstances might someone get a ‘bad feeling’ about the near future.

Exercises Role-play: Write and perform the following scenario. One of you is Tybalt; an angry, violent hot-head who wants to kill all Montagues. One of you is Lord Capulet whose job is to maintain order and follow the Prince’s declaration of peace. Write a new conversation these two could have when they see young Romeo crashing their party.

Questions – Point, “reference”, explain. What are your impressions of Tybalt and Lord Capulet? If you were Lord Capulet, what would you say to Tybalt in this scene? Describe Romeo’s reaction to seeing Juliet for the first time. Describe Juliet’s reaction to learning Romeo is a Montague. What troubles do you think Romeo and Juliet would face if they told people they were in love with each other. Who might object and why?

Cooldown Question Always try and put this in terms of modern day. Imagine that there are two groups are people (for example, groups who support different football teams). One of them (wearing a United Jersey) intrude on the other’s house party and kiss the most important girl in the room (who’s wearing a Man City Jersey for example). How would you feel as a member of either group?