Literature Romeo and Juliet

1. Romeo and Juliet have just met for the first time. Read what happens next. Then read Extract ⁦3 on⁩ pages 49–51.

Later that night, when everyone else has gone home, Romeo climbs the wall around the Capulets’ garden. He looks up and sees Juliet at her bedroom window, talking to herself.

This balcony is a real place in Verona which is still visited by young lovers.

2 Read the sentences. Then decide which three are true.

1. At the beginning, Juliet thinks she is alone.
2. At first, Romeo pretends to be someone else.
3. Romeo is worried that the Capulets will find him.
4. Juliet is worried that Romeo might think she has fallen in love too quickly.
5. Juliet thinks they should wait, but then she changes her mind.

This ‘balcony scene’ is very famous, and Juliet’s opening words ‘O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?’ are some of the most famous words in Shakespeare’s plays. Some people think that she is asking where Romeo is, but the old word wherefore actually means why, not where. So she is asking ‘Why are you Romeo?’ not ‘Where are you Romeo?’

3 Discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.

1. ‘If you had another name, you would still be the same person. A rose would still smell as sweet, if it were called something different.’ In the play, Shakespeare wrote these famous words:

‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.’ What idea is expressed here, and how are the two ways of expressing it different?

2. 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?
3. 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?
4. Do you think Romeo and Juliet will get married, or will something happen to stop them?

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

Romeo goes to see Friar Laurence and explains the problem. He agrees to marry the two lovers, but only because it might end the fighting between the two families. With Nurse’s help, Juliet meets Romeo and they get married secretly.

5. 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.