Sceneii. Capulet's orchard.

Romeo.He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

[Enter JULIET at a window]

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief,5
That thou her maid art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it. Cast it off.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!10
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,15
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven20
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!

Juliet. Ay me!

Romeo. She speaks:25
O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head
As is a wingéd messenger of heaven
Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him30
When he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,35
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo. [Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Juliet. ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,40
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,45
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself. . . .

* * * * * * * * * * *

Romeo. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--

Juliet. O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,

That monthly changes in her circled orb,110
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Romeo. What shall I swear by?

Juliet. Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.

Romeo. If my heart's dear love—115

Juliet. Well, do not swear.Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night:
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say “It lightens.” Sweet, good night!120
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

Preparation for Socratic Circle

  1. Print out the text for the circle discussion.
  2. Circle any vocabulary words you are unfamiliar with or would have difficulty explaining to others. (Hint: look them up!)
  3. Use the annotation key below.
  4. Underline key phrases, figures of speech, and imagery.
  5. Make note of key elements, arguments, ideas conveyed throughout the text
  6. Note word patterns and repetitions or anything that strikes you as confusing or important
  7. Write down questions in the margins or on another sheet: have at least 5 comments and 5 questions
  8. Print out and study the Socratic Circle Reflection assignmentbefore the discussion so you know what is expected of you and how to respond afterwards.

Annotation Guide for Socratic Circle Texts

Before you read:

  • Read titles, subtitles, and headings.
  • Pay attention to how the text is set up, and note any boldfaced or italicized words or phrases.

As you read:

  • Use the markings below to annotate the text.
  • Write questions and notes in the margins as you read.
  • Make connections between the text you are reading and information you already know.
  • Revisit your comments when you have finished reading.

In the Margin / What It Means
? / I don’t understand this. This is new to me.
! / I find this (statement, word, phrasing) surprising.
Underline / This (word, sentence, argument, idea, etc.) is really important.
 / I noticed these word patterns or repetitions (rhetorical devices, etc.)
/ I don’t know this word. I need to look up the meaning.

Models of Questions to Use to Prepare for Socratic Circle:

  1. How does the writer’s use of a specific rhetorical strategy work to convey the ideas and purpose of the writer? (parallelism, anaphora, rhetorical appeals, rhetorical questions, repetition, figurative language, etc.)
  2. How does this idea compare to ______(for example, other writers that have been studied—be specific)
  3. Ask a clarifying question—Is the speaker arguing or saying ______?
  4. What does this word mean in the context of this passage?
  5. What is the speakercommenting on or arguing in this passage?
  6. How does the way the ideas are organized contribute to the effectiveness of the overall scene?

What are some other questions that could be asked to generate thoughtful discussion and inspire critical thinking?