English I—Romeo and Juliet Written by William Shakespeare
Introduction to the Text, The Prologue, and Act One, Scene One: Week Two
Name:
Date:
The student will be able to: determine the meaning of words
and phrases as they are used in the text including figurative and
connotative meanings; and analyze the impact of specific word
choices on meaning and tone.
Proficiency on this assignment:
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Whole Group Monday
SONNET 130
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
1. How does Shakespeare use comparisons to advance the tone and meaning in Sonnet 130?
2. How do the last two lines reveal the central meaning of the sonnet?
Work Rotation
3. Shakespeare describes his mistress as antithesis to the ideals of beauty at that time. How does his word
choice impact the meaning of the passage?
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4. After annotating each line of Shakespeare’s sonnet and now Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet will
write an argumentative paragraph with textual evidence that argues whether Shakespeare's Sonnet 130
is more romantic than Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
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Instructor, N. Pachecker
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Whole Group Wednesday
Conflict: Conflict can be internal (problems between the character and themselves) or external (problems
between the character and others).
Motifs: The literary device ‘motif’ is any element, subject, idea or concept that is constantly present through
the entire body of literature. Using a motif refers to the repetition of a specific theme dominating the literary
work. Motifs are very noticeable and play a significant role in defining the nature of the story, the course of
events and the very fabric of the literary piece.
Example:
In many famed fairytales, the motif of a ‘handsome prince’ falling in love with a ‘damsel in distress’ and the two
being bothered by a wicked step mother, evil witch or beast and finally conquering all to live ‘happily ever
after’ is a common motif.
http://literary-devices.com/content/motif
5. Romeo + Juliet, The Prologue
Enter Chorus.
Two households, both alike in dignity
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene),
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Chorus exits.
Work Rotation Students will take our translation of the Prolouge from Whole Group and answer the following
questions
6. What is the tone of the prologue? What words and phrases make you say this?
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Instructor, N. Pachecker
DO NOT FORGET YOUR EXIT SLIPS ON WWW.MRSPSELA.COM FOR EACH DAY!!!
7. In your opinion, which line tells us the most about the world we are about to enter? What makes you
say this?
Whole Group Friday
Motif
Characterization of
Tybalt vs. Benvolio
Explanation
Work Rotation
8. Explain each of the following Motifs.
 Characterization of Tybalt vs. Benvolio
 Peace vs. violence in the Prince's speech
 Light vs. dark in discussions about Romeo
 Love vs. hate
 Old vs. young
 Love vs. lust
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Instructor, N. Pachecker