Romeo and Juliet

Lesson 15
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ELA

Unit 11

9th Grade

Lesson 15 of 23

Objective


Analyze the connections drawn between love and death in act 3, scene 5.

Analyze Juliet’s character development in act 3, scene 5.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare  — Act 3, Scenes 4–5 (pp. 153–173)

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

In Act 5 (line 103), Juliet says to Romeo, “Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day. It was the nightingale, and not the lark, that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear.” What does her statement mainly suggest?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

Explain how Shakespeare juxtaposes love and death again in this scene to foreshadow the events to come in the play. Use one piece of evidence from Scene 5 to support your answer.

Juliet has many important steps out of girlhood to womanhood in scene 5. Explain how Shakespeare develops Juliet as a strong woman in this scene. Use evidence to support your answer.

Key Questions


  • What are Capulet’s motivations for agreeing to have Juliet marry Paris immediately?
  • What does his decision reveal about women’s place in society at this time?
  • In lines 1–36 of scene 5, what are Romeo and Juliet using the nightingale and the lark to symbolize? What are they actually saying to each other? Which of the two of them ultimately decides it is time for Romeo to go? How does Shakespeare use images of light and dark to convey this?
  • Juliet’s professions of hatred for Romeo are actually designed to communicate what to her mother? Does her mother realize? How do you know?
  • How do Juliet’s mother and father respond to her request to postpone or cancel the wedding? Explain.
  • In lines 248–255, what do we learn that Juliet has decided to do? What does this reveal about her character?

Notes


Students may need some background on what larks and nightingales are in order to access the symbolism in this scene.

Next

Analyze Juliet’s actions and motivations for her actions in act 4, scenes 1–3.

Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of young love in act 4, scenes 1-3.

Lesson 16
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Lesson Map

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