LESSON OBJECTIVE: To explore and explain key scenes from the

Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet.

The tasks below are designed to be done either on the computer (download the lesson and type onto
the Word document) OR on paper (simply complete the tasks in a notebook.) You are not required to
print the lesson out.
DO NOW: 5 MINUTES.

1. What does fate mean?

2. How do you think fate has impacted Romeo? Do you think he was ever able to avoid
the events that have occurred? Romeo describes himself as ‘fortune’s fool’.
3. Why might an audience feel sympathy for Romeo?
AIM HIGH: Why do you think Shakespeare has used fate against Romeo? How does this
link to the play’s genre and an audience’s expectations?
TASK:
1. Read the extract from Act 5, Scene 1. Use the translated sections to help you
News of Juliet’s death reaches Romeo before Friar Lawrence’s letter arrives explaining their plan.
understand the events of the scene.
Romeo is2.distraught and question
Answer each plans to return
below intoatVerona
least 25towords.
be with her, knowing that he will be killed by
the Prince if he is found there.
How can an audience see Romeo’s love for Juliet in this scene?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Act 4, Scene 5 – Original Shakespearean Version
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
ROMEO News from Verona!--How now, Balthasar?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?
How is Romeo presented as impulsive (not thinking before acting) in this scene?
How doth my lady? Is my father well?
_________________________________________________________________________________
How fares my Juliet? that I ask again;
_________________________________________________________________________________
For nothing can be ill if she be well.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
BALTHASAR Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:
Whysleeps
Her body does Romeo say monument,
in Capel's he will ‘defy’ the stars? What does he mean?
And her immortal part with angels lives.
_________________________________________________________________________________
I saw _________________________________________________________________________________
her laid low in her kindred's vault,
And presently took post to tell it you:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,
Since What
you did leave
does it fortomy
he plan do office,
when he sir.returns to Verona? How does this show his emotional state in
this scene?
ROMEO Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!—
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Well, _________________________________________________________________________________
Juliet, I will lie with thee to-night.
Let's see for means;--O mischief, thou art swift
_________________________________________________________________________________
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men!

Act 4, Scene 5 – Translation

ROMEO Do you have news from Verona!—What is it, Balthasar? Do you bring me a letter from the
friar? How is my wife? Is my father well? How is my Juliet? I ask that again because nothing can be wrong
if she is well.
Act and Scene Quote How do the quotations present Romeo’s character and how can you see his character changing?
Identify any links to fate or lack of control in these quotations!
Act 1 Scene 1  “Ay me! Sad hours seem long” These quotations from the beginning of the play present Romeo’s character as…

 “O brawling love! O loving

hate!”
The oxymorons in this quotation may present ideas of fate as…

Act 2 Scene 6  “But come what sorrow can, it The juxtaposition between ‘sorrow’ and ‘joy’ suggests…
cannot countervail the exchange
of joy”

 Mercutio – ‘A plague o' both Ideas of fate and powerlessness is shown when Mercutio curses both houses, making Romeo…
your houses!’

Act 5 Scene 1  “I defy you stars!” In the final act of the play, Romeo’s character suggests that he has been powerless against forces
controlling him such as…

 ‘O mischief, thou art swift

To enter in the thoughts of However, in hearing Juliet’s death he…
desperate men!’

CHALLENGE:
Using the table provided, analyse each of the quotes for how they present Romeo to the audience. Pay close attention to how his
character changes and analyse anywhere you can see links to fate or Romeo’s lack of control in the play!