Balcony Scene (Act. II, Sc. II-Romeo and Juliet) Discussion and Scenework
Student will answer the following questions in an open discussion.
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How many of you have curfews? What does your curfew entail? Are you allowed to have friends over? Are you allowed to go outside? Are you allowed to be on your phone?
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How many of you have a boyfriend or girlfriend? At what age are you allowed to date? At what age are you allowed to marry?
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What could two teenagers possibly talk about on a balcony in the middle of the night?
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What rules did Romeo and Juliet break? Did anyone else break any rules? What were they?
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Do you think Romeo, prior to Juliet’s question, meant to ask for Juliet’s hand in marriage? Do you think he was just trying to get out of getting caught by his words?
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SPARK QUESTION: In the line by Juliet, “What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?”
How would you interpret that? What could Juliet possibly mean by that?
Is Juliet referring to Romeo making a sexual invite? How would you react to that?
(For grades 5-8
, how would you react to someone suggesting inappropriate behavior towards you, or an unwanted friendship?)
Students will use the balcony scene to recreate a modern version. Students are welcome to recreate the content beforehand that leads Juliet to the line, “What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?” Have them imagine Romeo in a modern situation that turns on the same line. Try to imagine how this would play out in a modern situation where Romeo could exhibit such a potential transgressive behavior. Students will also act out their new scenes in groups.
Examples for Modern rewrites with accidental accusations of the following actions:
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Peer pressure for drug use
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Asking for help cheating on a test
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Bullying
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Joining gangs
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Skipping class
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Damaging property
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Asking someone on a date