Romeo+and+Juliet

=Romeo and Juliet (General Discussion)=

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Find below some resources for teaching //Romeo and Juliet// as well as some topics for discussion.

Sailing Imagery
Review the sailing imagery used throughout the play to determine the purpose and significance. (1) What does a sailor/pilot (of a ship) traditionally do? How might those roles apply to Romeo and his situation? (2) Who is really the sailor/pilot? Who is the ship (bark)? (3) How does Romeo feel about fate based on this metaphor?

In 1.4, Romeo says, //I fear too early, for my mind misgives// //Some consequence yet hanging in the stars// //Shall bitterly begin his fearful date// //With this night's revels, and expire the term// //Of a despised life closed in my breast// //By some vile forfeit of untimely death.// //But he that hath the steerage of my course,// //Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.//

In 2.2, Romeo says, //I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far// //As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,// //I would adventure for such merchandise.//

In 3.5, Capulet says, //How now? A conduit, girl? What, still in tears// //Evermore showering? In one little body// //Thou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind,// //For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea,// //Do ebb and flow with tears. The bark they body is,// //Sailing in this salt flood. The winds thy sighs,// //Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them,// //Without a sudden calm will overset// //Thy tempest-tossed body.//

Finally, in 5.3, Romeo says, //Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide.// //Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on// //The dashing rocks thy seasick, weary bark.// //Here's to my love!//

Other Imagery
Romeo and Juliet share a metaphor:

In 3.2, the anxious Juliet says, //Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love,// //But not possessed it, and though I am sold,// //Not yet enjoyed.//

In the following scene, the desperate Romeo says, //O, tell me, Friar, tell me,// //In what vile part of this anatomy// //Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack// //The hateful// //mansion//.

(Also note that Romeo's plea alludes to 2.2 when Juliet wonders aloud about Romeo's name.)