EXTEND – The farewell

Complete the text with the words from STEP 4.

The extract from Romeo and Juliet beautifully contrasts the imagery of night and day. The darkness of the night, symbolised by the ________ and the pale reflex of ________ (the Moon), provides a secret and intimate space for the lovers. These elements of the night, despite their darkness, are seen in a positive light as they allow Romeo and Juliet to be together. Interestingly, even the ________, typically considered repulsive, is associated with the night and, by extension, with their forbidden love. In contrast, the ________, usually a symbol of joy and hope, is depicted negatively. It heralds the ________, and the moment for the lovers to part.

Decide if the images from the passage refer to day or night.

1 lark ________
2 Cynthia's brow ________
3 meteor ________
4 toad ________
5 morning's eye ________

Read the passage and choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

1 Romeo has to leave for Mantua after his banishment for ________.
2 At first, Juliet ________.
3 Romeo is willing to ________ if Juliet prefers it.
4 Juliet changes her mind when Romeo mentions death and tells him to go ________.
5 Juliet refers to the lark in ________ terms as it represents ________.
6 Daylight for Romeo and Juliet indicates ________.

Complete the text with the words given in the correct form. Then look at the prompts in brackets and write some extra reflections in your exercise book. You can use the final text as revision material for your test.

look ● choose ● change ● mirror ● offer ● cling ● achieve

In this passage, Romeo and Juliet's attempt to defy the natural order of day and night cleverly ________ their challenge to the family feud and societal norms. (Refer to the plot to give details on the feud.) They desperately ________ to the darkness, hoping to stay together. (Give examples of this referring to the natural imagery.) Romeo even ________ to die rather than leave, showing the intensity of his love. It is at this point, in the face of Romeo's death, that Juliet ________ her mind and begs him to leave. Juliet, despite her previous passionate pleas, ultimately ________ to let him go. In actively making this choice, she ________ self-determination. (Reflect on the fact that the freedom to choose rather than suffer the decisions of others shows the characters' growth.) Despite the final dark tones of the extract (Quote the lines from the passage that show this.), it points towards an act of freedom. By telling Romeo to go, they can both ________ to a future where they can reunite. Their decision to part temporarily is a necessary step towards their goal of being together forever.

Read the text again and complete the sentences with the words given.

1 Juliet makes evident her wish for Romeo to stay claiming the Sun is a meteor ________.
2 Romeo continues Juliet's referencing of the natural elements, saying he still sees the Moon and ________.
3 As soon as Juliet hears Romeo mention death, she ________, affirming it is the lark she hears.
4 The lark is described in hateful terms: it sings out of tune and with a ________.
5 She wishes the toad and the lark could exchange voices as the toad is ________.
6 ________ protects Romeo and Juliet's secret relationship.
7 The growing light of day is in contrast with ________.