Act 3 is finished!

1. I handed out the "English 10 - Quotation Study Sheet" for Romeo and Juliet.  You will need to study these quotations because several of them will appear on your Romeo and Juliet test.

2. Your final  Romeo and Juliet test will be Thursday, Dec. 19. 

3. We read and finished Act 3:  the conflict in the play has become even more complicated now that Juliet's father has commanded that she marry Paris on Thursday (it's Monday).

4. I handed out a Pink handout entitled "Juliet's Terrible Dilemma."  There are ten questions, and they are for homework. They should be answered in full sentences and you should do your best to impress me with not only your understanding of the play, but also with your exceptional writing skills.

Romeo and Juliet really need to think things through . . . (updated marks too!)

We read up to the end of Act 3 scene 3. In our readings today Juliet reacts to the news that Romeo killed Tybalt with very little forethought.  Her initial reaction is that she would rather die than not be with Romeo.  Sheesh!  Come on girl!

Then, similarly, Romeo reacts to news of the Prince's punishment the same way.  Rather than realizing that banishment is immeasurably better than execution, he weeps and blubbers to the Friar and the Nurse that there can be no world without Juliet near him.  He doesn't just mention death, he grabs a knife and threatens to kill himself but luckily the Nurse is there to snatch the knife away.  The scene ends with the Friar calming Romeo down and sending him to exile in the city of Mantua.  In the meantime, the Friar will come up with a plan to help restore Romeo to his love and perhaps even bring the families back together.

Maybe surprise quiz tomorrow?

Updated marks HERE.

. . . and the tragedy begins . . . -- Act 3 -- Updated Marks!

Today we completed a quiz on Act 2 worth 10 marks.

Then we read Act 3 scene 1 and focussed on the many contrasts that exist, for example, the contrast between the last scene of Act 2 and the first scene of Act 3.

Then we watched a bit more of the Baz Luhrmann's version of Romeo and Juliet. We are at the 'balcony scene' in the movie.

Click HERE to see updated marks.

Act 2 is finished!

Today we completed a paraphrasing assignment that was handed in (after we went over an example on the board).

We finished reading (and understanding) the play up to and the end of Act 2.

Finally we began watching the video (both the older version and the 'modern' one).

Remember, be ready for a pop quiz coming up soon.

Balcony scene and the next day

Last day we read the balcony scene and we learned a number of things
-'wherefore' means why
- Juliet begins the scene as a person grounded in the reality of their situation whereas Romeo begins the scene with fanciful thoughts of his newfound love
-Juliet first brings up the idea of marriage and Romeo agrees.
-the dramatic irony is that the audience is aware of Romeo's presence -- Juliet isn't
-the balcony scene is interrupted by the Nurse who calls Juliet to bed
- Juliet compares Romeo to a small pet bird and claims that she would kill him by cherishing him (i.e. hugging him) too much.


Today, we read the next scene and a half

Be prepared for a surprise quiz in the next two classes.