Romeo and Juliet: Love at First Sight

1/ Study of Romeo and Juliet continued,
Today we looked at Act I, Scene iv where we are introduced to the unforgetable Mercutio. Consider closely his advice to Romeo about love, "If love be rough with you, be rough with love;/ Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down." Look also at Mercutio's speech about Queen Mab. In English folktales, Queen Mab delivered dreams to the dreamer. There is a great deal of talk of dreams in this scene and Mercutio continues on until he is cut off by Romeo who calims that Mercutio "talk'st of nothing." But does he? How much of our lives are spent dreaming? Dreams that make us think or keep us awake at night or dreams of our future or perhaps a romance? Romeo mentions briefly that he has "dream'd a dream" although we never find out the details. Mercutio then goes on to say that dreams "are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy, Which is as thin of substance as the air And more inconstant than the wind..." But what are humans without dreams?
2/ Romeo falls desperately in love with Juliet in a matter of minutes in scene v which forces us to explore the idea of love at first sight. Tybalt recognizes him and wishes to fight him but Lord Capulet forcefully tells Tybalt that he will "endure him" and he will obey his wishes to leave the boy alone. Tybalt is willing to break the Prince's decree and seems to be a bit of a hot head while Lord Capulet expects his will to be done. How will things work out when he decides that Juliet should marry Paris?
REMINDER: CAKE RAFFLE AT LUNCH TOMORROW!

ACT TWO, SCENE TWO -Balcony Scene, some questions to consider as you read and review
1/ When Juliet appears on her balcony, what does Romeo compare her to?
2/ Unaware of his presence, what does Juliet ask Romeo to say?
3/ What does Juliet say about names?
4/ Juliet asks how Romeo got inside since the orchard walls are high. What is his response?
5/ Why is Juliet embarassed by his words?
6/ Why doesn't Juliet want Romeo to swear by the moon?
7/ How does Juliet describe their relationship What element of nature does she compare it to?
Short Note
Antithesis -the opposition of words or phrases against each other
e.g. "To be or not to be..."
"My grave is like to be my wedding-bed..."
"My only love sprung from my only hate..."
"Oh brawling love! Oh loving hate!"
Journal #4
Explain these 3 significant parts/lines in Act 2, Scene 2.
i/ Juliet's talk of Romeo and his name
ii/ Juliet's wish that Romeo not swear by the moon when he professes his love for her
iii/ Romeo and Juliet's love being compared to "lightning"