05.27 - Critics on the Balcony / Act I and II Questions

We started today's class by having everyone share their assessments of Juliet and Romeo after the balcony scene. We discussed the maturity and romantic partner worthiness ratings that people gave them (both ranked more highly with people) and discussed what in the scene cause people to rate both of them more favorably. In general, people said that Juliet came across better because she was advocating for herself and doing something that she wanted. Romeo ranked more highly because his advances (while still intense) were being directed at someone who was welcoming them.

Next, we looked at what the critical response would be with respect to the Zeffirelli version and the Baz Luhrmann version. In short: Critics would not generally like that Juliet comes down from the balcony in the Baz Luhrmann version. Pat of the symbolism of the scene is that Romeo is rising up to Juliet's level. Juliet is above Romeo as a person; she doesn't go down to his level, she raises him up to her level.

Following this, everyone returned to working with the Act I and II questions. We used a rotating partner format to work on responses to these questions (see directions below). What was not finished in class should be finished for homework.

Handouts:
Reading logs (this time focusing on Juliet and Romeo individually)

Romeo and Juliet reading log (G&L version)

Romeo and Juliet reading log (E&R version)

Romeo and Juliet reading log (C&A version)

Romeo and Juliet reading log (GWD version)

The reading logs were based on the Likert scales that people created in class on Tuesday, 04.29. People can use whichever version they want; the one they created is just most likely to reflect their perspective on the two scales.

Act I Reading Questions
Act II Reading Questions 


Homework:

If you did not finish the Act I and II reading questions (just through scene ii (2) in Act II (2)), do so for homework.

Complete or revise any assignments scoring below a 3.

 

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