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Romeo
and Juliet Here
is a key moment from Romeo and Juliet. It is interesting to take a key
moment from a novel. Either the teacher "translates" it into a
"play" or the students themselves have an excellent
"exercise" if they do this work of transformation. Such
excellent literary work is a stimulus. Students can put transform the
original into various levels of difficulty compared to the original. We
have used such cut versions of Shakespeare with groups of 14-17 year old
Italians/ Germans and they have enjoyed the original immensely. It was as
if, despite their relatively restricted English, they instinctively sensed
the eloquence of this poetry. All that is necessary is a sufficient
translation of the difficult words. By careful editing of the original one
can make it manageable without making it less authentic. For the summer
courses we’ve slowly built up these 12 extracts. All have worked well;
particularly this piece from Romeo and Juliet. The editing can be more or
less radical. Anyone
interested in knowing more is welcome to get in touch: mail@middlemoor.com
In the following extract the original is not so far from modern English. I
have found that what helps is an explanation of the picture painting
quality of Shakespeare’s language and its frequent use of metaphor. After
the passage from Romeo and Juliet look at a short explanation about
Shakespeare’s use of metaphor. If you show the students the mechanics of it in
some detail and point out the use of metaphor in ordinary language, they
understand Shakespeare the more readily. It’s also an explanation that
serves for all Shakespeare. It lays bare the quick of his sympathetic
mind. |
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Romeo:
But soft what light through yonder window breaks? It
is in the east and Juliet is the sun! Arise
fair sun and kill the envious moon, Who
is already sick and pale with grief That
thou her maid, art far more fair than she........ The
brightness of her cheek would shame the stars As
daylight does a lamp: her eyes in heaven Would
through the airy region stream so bright That
birds would sing and think it were not night. See
how she leans upon her hand. O
that I were a glove upon that hand, That
I might touch that cheek. Juliet:Ah
me. Romeo:She
speaks. O speak again bright angel. Juliet:O
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny
your father and deny your name Or
if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love And
I’ll no longer be a Capulet... Romeo
aside. Romeo:Shall
I speak? Juliet:...
and be some other name. What’s
in a name? That which we call a rose by
any other word would smell as sweet. ....... Change
that name, and for that name, take all myself. Romeo
coming out of the shadows. Romeo:Call
me but love, and I’ll be new baptised. Juliet:Is
that Romeo the Montague? If
they do see you they will murder you. How
came you here? Romeo:With
love’s light wings. Juliet:Thou
knowest the mask of night is on my face Else
would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek...... O
gentle Romeo, if you do love me say it faithfully. or
if thou think’st I am too quickly won, I’ll
frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay..... Romeo:Lady,
by yonder moon I vow, That
tips with silver all these fruit tree tops. Juliet:O
swear not by the moon..... 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... Juliet:Well,
do not swear . Although I joy in thee, I
have no joy in this contract tonight, It
is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too
like the lightening which does cease to be Ere
one can say it lightens. Sweet, good night. 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. I
hear some noise; dear love adieu. Juliet
exits. Romeo:O
blessed, blessed night. I am afraid being
in night, all this is but a dream Too
flattering sweet to be substantial. Juliet
returns. Juliet:Three
words, dear Romeo: Shall we be married? Send
me word tomorrow. |
di la
invidioso
malata e pallida di dolore ancella
fare
vergognare paradiso,
cielo scorrere,
brillare non
fosse appoggiarsi
su O
se fossi un guanto
per
quale ragione? negare
giurare
battisato assassinare
maschera =paint fedelmente aggrottare
le sopraciglie la
giu' toccare,
cime giurare =you
will contratto avventato,
impetuoso sconsigliato,
cesare lampeggiare
bocciolo,
che sta maturando, respiro, si dimostrera' riposo petto
benedetta
solo
un sogno lusingare,
concreto fammi
sapere |
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