Act 1, scene 5
Romeo and Juliet First Meet
A Mother’s reaction when she saw her newborn baby
Who do you think might be saying this? In what situation?
Objective: To analyse Shakespeare’s language in
this scene and to practise using descriptive
language to relate Romeo and Juliet’s experiences.
Big picture:
You will watch Baz Luhrman’s version of Act 1,
scene 5.
You will analyse Shakespeare’s language.
You will write a poem.
Outcome:
You will write a romantic poem on love at first sight
using literary techniques and perform this.
Can you remember the adjectives used the
mother’s description of her new born baby?
Imagine you have fallen in love at first sight.
Write down as many adjectives as you can
think of to express your feelings.
e.g. Explosive, spine-tingling
Extension: you could also try to use a simile or a
metaphor! E.g. My love is like a red red rose/
that is newly sprung in June 4 mins
While you watch Act 1, scene 5…
Make notes on the following (copy questions).
1. How does Romeo react when he first sees Juliet?
2. What does he say when he
first sees her?
3. How does Juliet react to Romeo?
Now let’s feedback…
Vocab
• Hyperbole – over the top/ exaggeration
Pronounced (Hi-per-bul-ee)
• Eg – I’m so hungry I think I am going to
die!
Write down three more examples
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
…
Discuss
in pairs
1.
In what way is Romeo speech hyperbolic (over the top)? Can you
identify an example?
2. What other literary techniques are used in these four lines?
3.
Why does Shakespeare make Romeo use hyperbole?
Complete this PEE chain
P When Romeo first sees Juliet the language
he uses is h__________.
E For example, he says “______________”
A This suggests that Romeo feels
___________. Shakespeare deliberately uses
the technique of hyperbole because he wants
the audience to see that Romeo
What does he decide to do?
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Romeo wants to get acquainted with Juliet and hold
her hand. It is as if he thinks she is a goddess or an
angel who will be able to bless him. This idea is
repeated later in their conversation.
What metaphor is Romeo using here?
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
Romeo is saying that she stands out as being the
most brilliant and beautiful creature he has seen.
Just as a white dove stands out as being special
amongst the dark crows so does Juliet among the
other ladies at the party.
Are his feelings true?
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Romeo has not yet spoken to Juliet yet he seems
to be in love. It could be true love at first sight.
On the other hand, he could just be a fickle
(indecisive) person – one minute he is in love
with Rosaline, the next with Juliet. What is
your opinion?
Some other literary techniques: (pair work)
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
Simile
Repetition
Rhyme
Can you identify an
Example of each?
Extension: choose
the best line in
your opinion
and write down
why.
Alliteration
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
NB: The lovers speak in verse (in this case,
rhyming couplets), whereas the other characters
speak in prose. The poetic nature of their
language is used to express their feelings of love.