Literature Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet: the balcony scene

Later that night, when everyone else has gone home, Romeo climbs the wall around the Capulets’ garden.

• Then read Extract 3 on pages 49–51.

Read the sentences. Then decide which three are true.

At the beginning, Juliet thinks she is alone.

At first, Romeo pretends to be someone else.

Romeo is worried that the Capulets will find him.

Juliet is worried that Romeo might think she has fallen in love too quickly.

Juliet thinks they should wait, but then she changes her mind.

Discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.

What idea is expressed here, and how are the two ways of expressing it different?

When he explains how he got into the garden, Romeo says things that can’t be true in real life. What does he say about love?

The two young people have only just met, but are already planning to get married. Do you believe that this ‘love at first sight’ can really happen, or is it just in books, plays and films?

Do you think Romeo and Juliet will get married, or will something happen to stop them?

Read the summary of what happens next to see if your answer to question 4 above was right.

To help you remember what has happened so far, work in pairs to put these events in the correct order. Number them from 1 to 8.

Romeo sees Juliet for the first time.

The Prince says that anyone who fights in future will be killed.

Members of the two families fight in the street.

Romeo and Juliet promise to get married.

Tybalt is angry with Romeo.

Romeo climbs into the Capulet’s garden.

Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet.

Juliet finds out that Romeo is a Montague.

Book misprint: this line prints “Capulet’s”; the opening line of the page writes “the Capulets’ garden”.