THEME TEACHING LESSON FOUR - REFLECTIVE WRITING

Students independently complete a "Reflective Response" to Romeo and Juliet, uniting prior knowledge and predictions with what they now know. Then, we convene and discuss the answers.

1. Sum up your opinions of Juliet so far. Is Juliet loyal to her family? Who is her family? Do you predict that that her roster of true “family” members will change as the play continues?

2. What is your opinion of Lord Capulet’s character? Of Lady Capulet? Of Tybalt? Do you think that these three have different ideas of what loyalty is? Do they express these ideas differently?

3. Compare and contrast Romeo’s feelings for Juliet to his feelings for Rosaline. What are the relationships of these two affections? (I.e., to whom will Romeo be most loyal? Was he ever loyal to Rosaline? Do degrees and notions of loyalty change with age?) Can we readers/viewers expect to hear Rosaline mentioned again? What does this suggest about Romeo’s loyalties? Does love have anything to do with Romeo’s loyalties? If so, then what is Romeo’s definition of love? Does this definition parallel yours?

Of course, responses to these questions and their completion vary. Some calmly produce a paragraph or two for every prompt. Others write nonstop. The ensuing class discussions flow easily, and I am pleased with the quality and quantity of thought that the students have obviously put into the readings, even if they haven't fully understood every word. Little spats flare up about Lord Capulet's expectations for his daughter and the similarities and dissimilarities of Romeo and Tybalt.