Objective
To analyze Romeo's balcony soliloquy and understand how dramatic monologues develop character and advance plot.
Materials
- Copy of Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene 2)
- Video clip of various dramatic monologues (optional)
- Handout with instructions and analysis questions
Opening Activity
- Brainstorm a list of famous speeches and monologues from movies and TV shows.
- Show a video clip of various dramatic monologues and ask students to identify what makes them impactful and memorable.
- Ask students to read Romeo's balcony soliloquy silently and jot down their initial thoughts and feelings about the passage.
Guided Practice
- Discuss the definition and purpose of a dramatic monologue.
- Analyze Romeo's balcony soliloquy as a dramatic monologue, identifying its structure (beginning, middle, end), tone, and literary devices.
- Discuss how the monologue reveals Romeo's character and his feelings for Juliet.
- Have students practice performing Romeo's balcony soliloquy in small groups, focusing on tone, pacing, and gestures.
Independent Practice
- Distribute the handout with analysis questions.
- Have students read and annotate the soliloquy independently, then answer the questions in writing.
- For homework, have students write their own dramatic monologue from the perspective of one of the characters in Romeo and Juliet, using the soliloquy as a model.
Closure
Have students share their dramatic monologues with the class, emphasizing the importance of using tone, pacing, and literary devices to create a compelling and memorable performance.