Week 8 Syllabus: May 13
IN ACT TWO, THE LOVE ADVICE RUN DEEP AND flies fast, as fast as Romeo and Juliet’s so-called-love grows. Shakespeare uses Mercutio’s criticism of Romeo’s childish infatuation with women in 2.1 by making fun of his behavior, as a lover: “Madman! Passion! Lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh.” Friar Lawrence’s description of natural medicines, where he says the most good, healing herb can become poison if used uncontrollable, is a metaphor for Romeo & Juliet’s love: “For naught so vile that on the Earth doth live But to the Earth some special good doth give; Nor aught so good but, strained from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse. Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime by action dignified.” He gives similar advice for moderation when the good Friar tells Romeo to literally slow his roll :“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.” The Nurse joins in, repeats this good council to Romeo , directly telling him that “if you should lead her in a fool’s paradise, as they say, if were a very gross kind of behavior. … [I]f you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing.” Why can’t Romeo hear the warnings his friend and his adult advisor(s) provide?
MONDAY May 13
Collecting the study guide for act two.
Watching the Globe Theater production of act two.
Starting our study guide for act three.
HW: Finish scenes 1 through 3 for act two.
WEDNESDAY, May 15
Taking a close look at Act 3, scenes one and two. The killing of Mercutio and Tybalt.
Time permitting, we will also watch the actor Simon Cowell perform the balcony scene, in a biographical one-man show about Shakespeare’s life and work. It’s pretty amazing.
HW: Work on the Act 3 study guide.
THURSDAY, May 16
Today we will examine scenes three, four and five in Act 3. We will watch both the Zeffereli and the Lehrman performances of these scenes.
Watching 3.3-5, the 1968 film (starting at 1:27, and ending at 1:47)
Watching 3.3-5, the Baz Lehrman film (starting at 1:09:30 and ending at 1:26:00)
Small group work on the Act 3 study guide. If students finish early, perform aloud Act 4 together.
HW: Read act four. Pay attention to extremes and opposites in your marginal notes!