S5 English

1. S5 English “Woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart/My will to her consent is but a part.”

2. Today’s lesson... • Act 1 Scene 2 • Introducing Paris • Capulet’s party • Rosaline

3. Act 1 Scene 2 • Plot Summary • Capulet talks with Paris, who wishes to marry Juliet. Although he expresses concern at Juliet’s young age, Capulet consents for Paris to woo his daughter. He invites him to a ball that evening to begin his courtship. He sends a servant to deliver invitations to the guests he wishes to invite to the party – unfortunately the servant cannot read. He meets Romeo and Benvolio, who read it for him and discover that Rosaline will be at the party. They decide to go, Benvolio hoping that Romeo will meet other girls and forget about Rosaline.

4. Capulet • How is Capulet characterised in this scene? Read his speech on page 19 and note down what you think he means when he says.. • Lines 8-11; “My child is yet a stranger in the world/She hath not seen the change of fourteen years....Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” • Line 14; “Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she.” • Lines 16-18; “Woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart/My will to her consent is but a part/And she agreed, within her scope of choice.”

5. Capulet • In the previous scene we saw Capulet’s quick temper. • In this scene we see another side to him – he seems caring, considerate and a loving father who is naturally worried about his daughter. • He agrees to go along with Paris’s proposal, providing it meets with Juliet’s approval. • His advice that he gives to Paris echoes the advice Benvolio gave to Romeo about seeking out other girls.

6. Romeo and Benvolio • Notice how the servants speak in prose, while the more noble characters speak in verse. This is a sign of social status. • There is some comedy with the servant not being able to read and then unwittingly invited two Montagues to the feast “if you be not of the house of Montague.” • “Compare her face with some that I shall show/And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.”

7. Fate • In this scene the movement towards the tragic outcome begins – the proposed marriage between Juliet and Paris will eventually push her to desperate action. • Fate has begun to take a hand in proceedings – it is pure chance that the servant Capulet sends out with the invitations is illiterate. • The audience know that although Romeo claims to love Rosaline, at the party he will meet Juliet and expectations begin to rise.

8. Act 1 Scene 3 • Plot Summary • Lady Capulet tells Juliet it is time for her to think about marriage and explains how Paris wishes to marry her. Juliet agrees to observe Paris at the feast and to consider him as a husband. At the end of the scene, a servant arrives to announce that the guests have arrived.

9. Luhrmann • This film version does not include the illiterate messenger. Instead, Mercutio brings the Montague boys invitations to the party. • Watch the clip and note down; • Your thoughts on the Nurse and Lady Montague.

10. The Nurse and Lady Capulet Discuss the differences between these two characters and how they relate to Juliet. See if you can find quotes to support what you say. Nurse • Regarded as one of the family. • She is a bawdy character. • Closest to Juliet – nursed her as a child. • Openly loving and affectionate towards Juliet. Lady Capulet • Irritated by the nurse, but also depends on her for advice and help with her daughter. • Gave birth to Juliet at a young age. • Thinks that by marrying Paris, her daughter will increase her prestige. • An ineffective mother?

11. Juliet • Our first introduction to Juliet. She only has a few lines – 98-100. Do they tell us anything about her? Discuss with your partner. • We see how powerful the influence of parents is – a recurring theme in the play. Juliet agrees to consider Paris, as her mother wishes. She will follow her mother’s advice exactly.