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How Is Dramatic Irony Used In Romeo And Juliet

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2.5 The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Act IV

Pre‐reading activity: Read about Dramatic Irony on page 893. Think of an example of it from one of the previous acts. Write your example and tell why you think it is dramatic irony.

During reading activity: A. What characteristics do you notice of Paris during his encounter with Juliet in Friar
Lawrence’s cell? List his traits, and include textual evidence to support your ideas.

B. After reading each scene, use the Act IV Summarizing Chart to give a plot summary for each one.

C. The play is filled with images of death. While you read Act IV, write down three examples of death imagery.

Roger
Text Box
mercutio …show more content…
"Death lies upon her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field" her father said "She's cold Her blood is settled, her joints are stiff"

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After reading activity: A. Consider Friar Lawrence’s role in the couple’s love affair. Do you think he is helping them or not? Is he to blame for some of their trouble? Explain your opinions.

B. Do you feel sorry for Juliet’s parents in Scene II? Why or why not?

C. What do you think Juliet’s action of drinking from the vial represented? Consider that she had no right to refuse her father’s order to marry Paris. Was it a statement of something more than unwillingness to marry the wrong person? What could it be? Explain and cite evidence to support your theory.

D. Name three examples of dramatic irony used in Act IV. Write your answers in the Dramatic
Irony Chart.

E. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to end Act IV with a comical scene about a servant and some musicians? Explain your theory.

Roger
Text Box he is helping them because he covered for them when juliet faked her

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