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Name __________________________	Engl 1
ePAL Name __________________________	Mrs. Smith, Period

Two Perspectives Are Better Than One

Keep a reading log that you will use to discuss the play with your ePAL. Follow these simple steps to create a reading log that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the play:

Step 1 ~ Reading for Understanding
a. Read each scene at least once.
b. Record any new words or phrases you looked up during reading. Be sure to include the definitions in your reading log.
c. Write a summary of the scene in a dark color pen or font.
d. Record any questions you may have about the scene.

Step 2 ~ Discussing the Scene/Play with your  ePAL
a. Discuss the scene/play with your  ePAL
b. Ask the questions you wrote down in your reading log.
c. Discuss the focus question(s).

Step 3 ~ Adding Answers to Your Reading Log
a. Use a different colored pen or font.
b. Write the answers to your reading log questions.

Step 4 ~ Reading for Pleasure
a. Use a different colored pen or font.
b. Now that you have a basic understanding of the plot and unusual words or phrases, it is time to read the play again.
c. Record your personal reactions to each scene.

Step 5 ~ Discuss the Play
a. Your rereading will probably create new questions, so go back to class or your  ePAL and continue discussing the play.
b. Record any new answers or insights you gain in your reading log (be sure to use a different color font or ink).    

Understanding and Discussing Romeo and Juliet
Use these links to jump to the appropriate Act:
Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V

Reminder: A copy of every email to and from your  ePAL is also sent to both teachers. Keep conversations appropriate or this opportunity will be revoked.

Who is your assigned  ePAL?
Two truths and a fib… Tell two true things about yourself (interesting activities you’ve done, hobbies you have, etc.) and one fib. Your  ePAL will try to guess which ones are true and what is not.
What are your  ePAL’s two truths and a fib?

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: In the prologue, it discusses “star-crost lovers”—what does that mean? As you go through the play, think about whether it’s a valid label for Romeo and Juliet.  How do you think the insults add to the tension? What could be done differently? What do you think the effect of constant fighting would be on the rest of the citizens of Verona? What parallels do you see in today’s world? What is your first impression of Romeo?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act I, Scenes ii-iii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What is your first impression of Lord Capulet, the father of Juliet? What is your first impression of Juliet? What about the nurse? How involved is Juliet’s mother in Juliet’s life do you think?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act I, Scene iv

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What’s the deal with Mercutio and the whole Queen Mab speech? What kind of friend is he to Romeo?
Discussion with  ePAL

 
Date: 
Act I, Scene v

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What is your impression of Tybalt? Do you know anyone who can be set off as quickly as he can? How do you deal with that kind of person?  Why do you think Lord Capulet doesn’t mind that Romeo is at the party?
Discussion with  ePAL

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Is Romeo’s description of Juliet reasonable for someone he has just met?  Anyone surprised that Juliet brings up marriage on the first day she meets Romeo? What do you think about the speed of this relationship? How do Romeo and Juliet compare in terms of maturity?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act II, Scene ii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Is Romeo right in turning to the Friar for guidance? What kind of help does the Friar give Romeo? Is there something else he should have done?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act II, Scene iii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What do you think about the teasing the “boys” give the nurse? What kind of advice does the nurse give Romeo?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act II, Scene iv-v

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What do you think about the Nurse and the Friar conspiring to wed these two behind their parents’ back? Is ending the feud a good enough “excuse”?
Discussion with  ePAL

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Who dies first? What would have happened if Romeo didn’t try to avenge this death?  What are the effects on Verona of banishing the heir to the Montague family? What are the effects on the family itself?  How could this whole situation been dealt with differently?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act III, Scene ii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Discuss the imagery of the beginning of the scene. Does Juliet sound like a girl or a woman? Imagine the effect of the news the Nurse brings: your husband has killed your cousin and you’ll never see your husband again. Discuss what kind of emotions Juliet must have felt.  The Nurse just wants Juliet to feel better. Is there another course of action she should have taken or advice she could have given?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act III, Scene iii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What is Friar Lawrence's plan after Romeo's banishment? What is the Nurse's? How much can we blame them when their plans fail?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act III, Scene iv

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What was Capulet's stand on Juliet's marriage when Paris first approached him earlier in the play? How does he change in this scene? Why do you think he changes? And how old is Juliet?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act III, Scene v

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What are some things that Romeo and Juliet say that foreshadows what is to come? Did Juliet actually lie to her mother? What’s the deal with Lord Capulet? Was there any indication in earlier scenes that he would react this way? Is there anything anyone could have said or done to help diffuse this situation? Think about all the changes that have happened in the few days of the play. How is Juliet making decisions as her life becomes more complex? How could she have thought out her options differently? Who could she have turned to for help?
Discussion with  ePAL

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Does the Friar really mess up here? Or is it a good plan? Knowing how desperate Juliet is, is his plan and giving her the means of carrying it out the best way to go?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act IV, Scene ii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Why does Capulet rush Juliet into marriage a day early? What could Juliet or the Friar have done differently?
Discussion with  ePAL

Date: 
Act IV, Scene iii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What are some of Juliet’s fears? How does her imagination get the best of her? How does Shakespeare help to “paint a picture” of her fears?
Discussion with  ePAL

 
Date: 
Act IV, Scene iv-v

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: What kind of impact does Juliet’s “death” have on her family?  How is death personified? How does that help the mourners describe their grief? What do you think of the Friar deceiving everyone with his speech about how she’s better off in heaven?
Discussion with  ePAL

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions Romeo says when he hears of Juliet’s “death,” “I defy you stars!” What does he mean? Is he able to defy them? What is the apothecary’s part in all of this? Should he bear part of the blame?
Discussion with  ePAL

 
Date: 
Act V, Scene ii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Question: Why does the Friar’s plan fail?
Discussion with  ePAL

 
Date: 
Act V, Scene iii

Unclear Vocabulary or Content
Questions about this scene
Summary
Focus Questions: Could Balthasar have done anything to prevent Romeo from his plan? Why is Paris so determined to keep Romeo from Juliet’s grave? What does Paris think Romeo is going to do? Was his death really necessary? What is ironic about Romeo’s speech about how beautiful Juliet still is?  Again, death is personified. Discuss some of the more interesting descriptions. The friar is scared of being caught, so he leaves Juliet with her just-dead husband beside her. What was he thinking?! Discuss the Prince’s chiding to the lovers’ parents: “See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys with love! …all are punisht.” What do they learn too late? Looking back on the play, how does Shakespeare through Romeo and Juliet help us to see and understand ourselves and the effects our decisions have on those around us? Is there any insight we can take away from this story?
Discussion with  ePAL

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