Evaluation

This is the last one - I promise. This will be the break down for the evaluation of these blogs. You need to have all of the following to have completed the Blog portion of our unit:

1. Five distinct posts for each act. Each post will consist of a minimum of two paragraphs (one commentary, one monologue based on a character from the play. You should have written from five different character's perspectives).

2. Two posts on my blog. Topic #1: Friar Laurence's Advice. Topic #2: Fate.

Total: 25 marks for comments for each act
         25 marks for monologues for each act
          10 marks for responses on my blog             = 60 marks

What I'll be marking for: original thoughts, use of details from text to give support to your ideas, variety of comments

Due: Before Romeo and Juliet Unit Test (Friday, June 1)

Now that we're done...

Okay, we've finished our play. It was a long haul, but we did it. I need you to complete your blogs on what we've read. You need to post entries similar to what you did for Acts 1 and 2. In a paragraph, comment on any aspect(s) of the act that you want. Then, in a second paragraph, pick a different character from previous blog entries and write a monologue about how they might have been thinking while a specific event was taking place.  You have to do this for Acts 3, 4 and 5.

Remember, you post these entries in your own blogs!

Do you believe in fate?

The idea of fate is a contentious idea among people. Is there really such thing as fate? Does it influence a person's life. Famous people throughout history have given their thoughts on the notion:

"The best of men cannot defend their fate: The good die early and the bad die late." (Daniel Dafoe, 18th c)

"Our hour is marked an no one can claim a moment of life beyond what fate has predestined." (Napoleon, 19th c)

"What fates impose, that men must needs abide;/It boots not to resist both wind and tide." (Shakespeare, Henry VI Part 3)

1) What do these quotations mean to you? Do you agree or disagree? Write your thoughts on my blog.

2) Also, while you're commenting, tell me where we saw references to fate in the play. How much do these characters think fate controls their lives? Post responses to this on my blog as well.

Now, for Act II...

It's now time to post your thoughts for Act II. In the same way that you commented on an aspect of the action/dialogue in Act I, pick something from Act II to give an opinion about. Then, pick a different character to get into the mind of, and in a second paragraph, write an internal monologue for one person in this Act. What were they thinking at a specific time?

Is slow a good thing?

Friar Laurence gives advice to Romeo and Juliet. He first says "Wisely and slowly: they stumble that run fast" (2.3.90) and later, when he's marrying the two, he states "These violent delights have violent ends...Therefore love moderately - long love doth so:/Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow" (2.6.9,14-15).

What do you think of his advice? Is it truly wise? Or, are there times when it wouldn't apply?

Also, what do you make of his advice and then his decision to still marry the two? Was he wise? Is he all talk?

Please try to post your thoughts in my post itself. That way, you can see each other's thoughts and even respond to or comment on them.

Romeo and Juliet

Now that we've finished the first act of Romeo and Juliet, I would like you to write about your impressions of the play. Do you like it? What do you like about it? If you don't like it, tell me what you don't like. Pick at least two elements of the story to comment on. Is there behaviour to admire, disagree with, are confused by?

Then, I want you to pick one of the characters in the first act and write an internal monologue of what they might have been thinking at a particular point in the act. Be as descriptive and imaginative as possible. 

Welcome

Welcome to the Romeo and Juliet blog page. This is where we get to express our thoughts in a safe manner. You will each create your own blog page and then post entries periodically throughout the rest of the unit. There is no need to worry about what other people think of your ideas: I am the only one who will read them. So, enjoy!

On the other hand, I will post questions or images or videos on my blog page that you are encouraged to respond to. You do not have to write a lot, but you can make a comment or two to help us as a class understand the issue at work.