6 minute read
Romeo and Juliet
from 9788203406447
Most films, plays and books about love have a happy ending. But have you ever watched or read a tragedy – a story where two people in love do not end up together? Tell a partner or a small group about it.
William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet is one of his most famous plays. It is about Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, two young lovers in Verona, Italy. The Montague and Capulets families are bitter enemies. One night there is a party at the Capulet’s house. Romeo goes to the party in disguise. When he sees Juliet, it is love at first sight. Later that night, in the famous balcony scene, Juliet says that she loves Romeo too. Romeo and Juliet secretly marry the next day. Then things start getting complicated.
1 The Montague and the Capulet families have been enemies for years. Relatives, friends and servants quarrel and get into sword fights. 4 After the party, Juliet is standing on her balcony, dreaming: “Oh Romeo, Romeo! Why are you Romeo, a Montague?” 2 Lord Capulet is giving a party one night. It is a masquerade. Romeo and his friends turn up at the party – in disguise. 3 Romeo and Juliet meet at the party, and they fall in love at first sight.
5 Romeo has sneaked into the garden and hears Juliet’s words.
6 Romeo and Juliet declare their love for each other, and decide to marry in secret before their families Vurderingseksemplar get to know what is going on.
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7 Romeo runs off to Friar 8 Friar Lawrence marries Lawrence, who agrees to Romeo and Juliet. marry them in secret: “I hope this marriage will unite the two feuding families!” 10 Romeo gets into a fight on his way home. His friend Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, who is Juliet’s cousin, and Romeo kills Tybalt. As punishment, Romeo is banished from Verona by the Prince of Verona. 12 Juliet’s father thinks Juliet is sad because Tybalt, her cousin, has been killed. He tries to comfort her, and says: “We will arrange so you can marry Paris on Thursday. He has wanted to marry you for a long time. The marriage will cheer us all up.”
9 Juliet returns home. Friar Lawrence will tell the families about the wedding later. Vurderingseksemplar
11 Romeo and Juliet spend their last night together before Romeo has to leave the city.
13 Juliet is shocked, but does not tell her father that she is already married. She runs to Friar Lawrence for help, and he comes up with a plan: “Pretend you will marry Paris. Then take this drug which will make you sleep for twenty-four hours. They will think you are dead. I will send a messenger to Romeo and get him. Then we will sort everything out.”
14 Juliet is found the next morning, and everybody thinks she is dead. She is buried in the family vault. 16 Romeo kisses Juliet and then takes the poison. Juliet wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself with his dagger. 15 Romeo gets the false message that Juliet is dead. He buys some poison and goes to the vault, where he meets Paris. They fight, and Romeo kills Paris. 18 The Montagues and the Capulets arrive, and are terrified at what the feud Vurderingseksemplar has led to. Lord Capulet and Lord Montague decide to raise a statue of the two lovers, and stop the fighting.
17 Friar Lawrence, who comes too late to save the two young lovers, runs off to get the two families.
UNDERSTANDING
1 Answer the questions. a How do Romeo and Juliet meet? b When do Romeo and Juliet decide to marry? c Why do the two young lovers have to marry in secret? d Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? e What happens when Romeo is on the way home after the wedding? f Who kills Mercutio? g Why does Romeo have to leave town? h What does Juliet’s father think will cheer her up? i Why does Juliet take a drug that makes her appear dead? j What false news reaches Romeo? k What is Romeo’s reaction when he hears the news? l What happens when Juliet wakes up? VIEWPOINTS 2 Discuss the questions. a How old do you think Romeo and Juliet are? b Do you think this story could have happened today? Why or why not? c Why do you think the Montagues and Capulets are feuding? Hint: What might families today fight about? d Why do you think Shakespeare’s plays and poems are still popular today, 400 years after he died? Vurderingseksemplar
TEXT ANALYSIS
3 Answer the questions for analysis. Narrator: Who tells the story? Setting: Where and when does the story take place? Characters: Who is the story about? Plot: What happens in the story? Conflict: What is the problem? Theme: What is the story really about?
CREATIVE CORNER
4 Role play the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet in class. Your teacher will give you the manuscript.
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EXPLORE MORE
5 Watch Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 movie Romeo and Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. The actors use Shakespeare’s language, but the story takes place in a modern setting.
SPEAKING SPOT
6 Sequence words Re-tell the story of Romeo and Juliet to a partner. Use sequence words. Juliet is almost 14 when she marries Romeo. In many parts of the world today child marriages are still common, especially for girls. Many of these girls are forced to marry a much older man. This can have many negative consequences, including social isolation, poverty and violence. 7 Arranged Marriage Romeo and Juliet marry for love. Juliet’s father has other plans. He arranges for his daughter to marry Paris, and he expects his daughter to follow his decision. a Brainstorm in groups. More sequence words: in the beginning, first of all, in the meantime, meanwhile, later, afterwards, soon, eventually, lastly, in the endVurderingseksemplar
Arguments in support of arranged marriage Arguments against arranged marriage
b Discuss which arguments you think are the best.
