Lesson 4 4.3 – Who’s Who in Verona 4.4 – The Prologue

1. Lesson 44.3 – Who’s Who in Verona4.4 – The Prologue Purpose -to analyze relationships between characters in the play -

2. 4.3Warm Up • Define the following terms in your English binder • Drama (pg 258) • Protagonist (pg 25) • Tragedy (pg 260) • Then on a scrap sheet of paper, create a bubble map and brainstorm all of the words and phrases you can think of that are associated with drama. • Think About: What are the essential features of an effective drama/and or dramatic performance? (Think-Pair-Share!)

3. Tableau • To preview The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, you will be given a card with a character’s name and de4scription on it. You will then “become” the character and work in a group to create a tableau. A tableau is a purposeful arrangement of characters frozen as if in a painting or a photograph. In your tableau, convey as much information as you can about the characters and their relationships.

4. Tableau Practice • In your groups, take turns each reading your card aloud to your group, along with any additional information from the cast of characters in your copy of Romeo and Juliet. • Practice arranging yourselves according to your descriptions. One student will be assigned the role of director so he or she can give the group feedback to help you create the effect you want. Think about the following as you prepare your tableau: • Body positions (who you stand next to, distance, and how you pose) • Postures • Facial expressions • Gestures • Simple props to convey your character

5. Tableau Performance • After you have rehearsed, pose your tableau. Create a freeze-frame image for your classmates. Then either step out of the tableau one at a time and tell why you chose to place yourself as you did, or have your director explain your group’s choices.

6. Who’s who in Verona • Now let’s take some time to discuss who’s who! Please jot down notes on page 259 as we discuss our characters. *Highlight or draw asterisks next t names of the two protagonists. *If you would like to color code the families, then do so!

7. The Prologue • What is the purpose of the chorus? Answer: a single actor who performs the Prologue, an overview of the play. • Wait… why give away the whole play at the beginning? Thoughts? • Before we begin, look at the Prologue on page 261 and mark the rhyme scheme. What do you notice? • Read along on page 260…

8. Prologue Questions • How many families (households) are involved in this fight? • How long as it been going on? • How do the lovers stop the fighting?

9. Paraphrasing the Prologue • Work in pairs to diffuse the Prologue. Identify unfamiliar words and replace them with synonyms. • Next, paraphrase the Prologue. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love, And the continuance of their parents’ rage, Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, Where here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

10. Reading • After you participate in several choral readings of the Prologue, rate your comfort level with saying Shakespeare’s words, with 1 being “not comfortable at all” and 10 being “I’m ready for Broadway!” (rating on page 262)