Act 1, scene 5Romeo and Juliet First Meet

“I felt my heart constrict. I was breathless,

and my throat felt tight. Suddenly, tears

welled up in my eyes and flowed freely down

my cheeks.”

Who do you think might be saying this? In what situation?

A Mother’s reaction when she saw her newborn baby

Objective: To analyse Shakespeare’s language in this scene and to practise using descriptive language to relate Romeo and Juliet’s experiences.

Big picture: You will watch Baz Luhrman’s version of Act 1,

scene 5. You will analyse Shakespeare’s language. You will write a poem.

Outcome: You will write a romantic poem on love at first sight

using literary techniques and perform this.

Can you remember the adjectives used the mother’s description of her new born baby?

Imagine you have fallen in love at first sight. Write down as many adjectives as you can think of to express your feelings.

e.g. Explosive, spine-tingling Extension: you could also try to use a simile or a

metaphor! E.g. My love is like a red red rose/ that is newly sprung in June 4 mins

While you watch Act 1, scene 5…

Make notes on the following (copy questions). 1. How does Romeo react when he first sees Juliet?

2. What does he say when he first sees her?

3. How does Juliet react to Romeo?

Now let’s feedback…

Vocab

• Hyperbole – over the top/ exaggerationPronounced (Hi-per-bul-ee)• Eg – I’m so hungry I think I am going to

die!

Write down three more examples

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!     It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night

Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! …

1. In what way is Romeo speech hyperbolic (over the top)? Can you identify an example?

2. What other literary techniques are used in these four lines? 3. Why does Shakespeare make Romeo use hyperbole?

Discuss in pairs

Complete this PEE chain

P When Romeo first sees Juliet the language he uses is h__________.

E For example, he says “______________”

A This suggests that Romeo feels ___________. Shakespeare deliberately uses the technique of hyperbole because he wants the audience to see that Romeo ____________.

What does he decide to do?

The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,  And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.

Romeo wants to get acquainted with Juliet and hold her hand. It is as if he thinks she is a goddess or an angel who will be able to bless him. This idea is repeated later in their conversation.

What metaphor is Romeo using here?

So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.  

Romeo is saying that she stands out as being the most brilliant and beautiful creature he has seen. Just as a white dove stands out as being special amongst the dark crows so does Juliet among the other ladies at the party.

Are his feelings true?

Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!  For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

Romeo has not yet spoken to Juliet yet he seems to be in love. It could be true love at first sight. On the other hand, he could just be a fickle (indecisive) person – one minute he is in love with Rosaline, the next with Juliet. What is your opinion?

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!  It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night  Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;  Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!  So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.  The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,  And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.  Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!  For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

Simile Repetition Rhyme Alliteration

Can you identify anExample of each?

Extension: choose the best line in your opinion

and write downwhy.

Some other literary techniques: (pair work)

O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!  It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night  Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;  Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!  So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.  The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,  And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.  Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!  For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

NB: The lovers speak in verse (in this case, rhyming couplets), whereas the other characters speak in prose. The poetic nature of their language is used to express their feelings of love.