Assignment #2: Romeo and Juliet Monologues/Scenes

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, and the alternative is a zero so
youre a bonehead if you dont accept it, is to memorize at least 10 lines of Romeo
and Juliet and recite it to the class.
This does not have to be a performance. We are not in drama class. But you do
have to recite the lines accurately and with emotion if you want a good mark. As
always, extra efforts will be rewarded. If you wear a costume and/or enhance the
recital by making it more of a performance, your grade will reflect your pains.
You have three basic options for this assignment:
1. The Soliloquy Recite ten consecutive lines from one of the plays several
significant soliloquies. You could be Juliet, atop her balcony lamenting the
important of names; or you could be Romeo, going on, once again, about love
and beauty and stars; or you could be Juliet, describing in detail her fear of
the Capulet tomb.
2. The Scene Work with a partner and recite or act a scene together. You
could be Romeo and Juliet on the night they fall in love. Or you could be the
two thumb-biting, dirty punning Capulets who start the brawl in the first
scene. Each student must still recite 10 lines each, so your scene must total
at least 20 lines.
3. The Schizophrenic Assume two roles and recite a scene by yourself.
Change your voice and/or costume quickly so the audience can follow your
double personality.

Comparison Paragraph Sample

Although they are initially presented as character foils, Victor and Rick of Casablanca
share similarities that are more important than their superficial differences. Victor Lazlo is a
warm, selfless man. As leader of the French Resistance, Victor lives under constant threat of
death. He is an obvious champion of good, a man who has survived a concentration camp and
still continues to fight for his country. Victor Lazlo will sacrifice himself for the good of others.
Rick is a less obvious hero. Long regarded as an icon of cool American masculinity, Rick speaks
smooth and acts cold. His icy demeanor can be summed up in one of his classic lines: I stick
my neck out for no one. But Rick is also willing to sacrifice his life for the greater good. Rick
proves his moral worth when he orchestrates Victor and Ilsas escape. He recognized that his life
didnt add up to a hill of beans compared to Victors resistance work. Despite Ricks icecold
image, he is not so different from Victor Lazlo.