Lesson video

Hello, everyone, it's lovely to see you here today.

My name's Dr.

Clayton, and I'm to guide you through learning journey today.

Today's lesson is called "Comparing Romeo's Love for Juliet With His Love for Rosaline." Now, Rosaline is Romeo's first love in the play, but we typically see Juliet as his true love.

So we're going to consider how we can see Romeo's depiction of his love for Juliet as different, but also perhaps what the similarities between the language might reveal.

So if you're ready, grab your pen, laptop, whatever you're using for this lesson, and let's get started.

So by the end of the lesson, you'll be able to explain the similarities and differences in how Romeo presents his love for Rosaline and his love for Juliet.

So we have five words today we're going to be using as our keywords.

They're identified in bold throughout the learning material, and I'll try to pull up these out so you can see them be used in context.

So our first word is abstract, which means existing in thought or as an idea, but not having a physical or concrete existence.

We're going to be thinking about how Romeo indicates he sees love for Rosaline as something abstract.

Our second keyword is oxymoron, which means two words or phrase used together that have or seem to have opposite meanings.

We're going to be thinking about what Romeo's use of Oxymorons might reveal about his love for Rosaline.

Our third keyword is substantial, which means something not imaginary.

It's something real, true, and important.

We're going to be thinking about how Romeo indicates he sees love for Juliet as something substantial rather than something abstract.

Our fourth keyword is celestial, which means positioned in or relating to the sky or outer space.

So for example, the sun, moon, and stars.

We're going to be thinking about the celestial bodies that Romeo compares Julie and Rosaline to and what that might reveal about his feelings.

So our final keyword is objectification, which means the act or instance of treating a person as an object or a thing.

We're going to be thinking about how Romeo's language arguably could be seen subjectifying both Rosaline and Juliet.

So I'll just give you a moment to write down those keywords and their definitions.

So pause the video, write them down now.

Fantastic, let's get started with the lesson.

So we have three learning cycles in our lesson today.

For our first learning cycle, we're going to explore the language that Romeo uses to describe Rosaline and Juliet, and what the similarities and differences might reveal.

For our second learning cycle, we're going to look at how Romeo presents the concept of love differently when he's talking about his love for Rosaline and his love for Juliet and what that might reveal about his feelings for them.

For our third learning cycle, we're going to think about what Romeo says about his sense of self when he is talking about his love for Rosaline and Juliet and what that might reveal about his feelings.

Now at the start of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Romeos in love with Rosaline.

However, he then meets Juliet in Act 1 Scene 5.

After seeing Juliet for the first time, Romeo says, "Did my heart love 'til now? Forswear it, sight, for I never saw true beauty 'til this night." So here, Romeo's questioning whether he is ever loved or seen true beauty before.

So what I'd like to start off by thinking about is what does that suggest about Romeo's feelings for Rosaline? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now as Andeep says, Romeo is saying he's only now feeling love and seeing true beauty for the first time.

So therefore, that suggests his feelings for Rosaline were never real, but his feelings for Juliet are.

Throughout this lesson, we're going to be thinking about how Shakespeare represents Romeo's feelings for Rosaline and Juliet and how Shakespeare might be showing Romeo's love for Rosaline in order to allow us to interpret Romeo's love for Juliet as true love.

So let's begin by looking at Romeo's first line about each woman.

I think look at the first lines that are said about characters is so useful 'cause it gives us a real insight into how the characters feel about each other.

So Rosaline, Romeo says, "She'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow." So here, Romeo's saying that Rosaline will not fall in love with him.

And Juliet, Romeo says, "She teaches the torches to burn bright." So here, Romeo's talking about the effect that Juliet has on the world.

So I later to think about.

It's what the difference between the lines.

What might the significance be? Think about what are you saying about each woman? What is the first thing that comes to his mind when he thinks about them? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Well welcome back, having some great ideas there.

Now, Romeo's first thought about Rosaline is that she's subjecting.

Therefore, as Laura says, "It seems as Rosaline's defined by her refusal to accept Romeo's love, whereas Romeo is actually speaking of Juliet herself." He's talking about the effect that Juliet has on the world around her and therefore perhaps that suggests Romeo only wants Rosaline because he can't have her, whereas he loves Juliet for who she is.

Now, let's think about some of the language that Romeo uses, what the connotations might reveal.

Of Rosaline, Romeo says she hath Dian's wit.

Now, Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon.

In comparison, Romeo says that Juliet is the sun.

So what I'd like you to think about is what do you think the significance of those lines might be? Think about what the connotations of the moon and the sun are.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Some great ideas there.

Let's talk through some of the things you might have said.

They might have started off by thinking about the differences between the moon and the sun.

While both offer as light, the moon's light is dimmer than the sun's and the sun also sustains and gives life.

So you might see Romeo's comparisons as suggesting that Juliet is more important than Rosaline.

You also might have noticed that Juliet actually is the celestial body.

She is the sun itself.

Whereas Rosaline is compared to the goddess who represents a celestial object, the moon.

This suggest that Juliet gives life and light while Rosaline is merely associated with the light.

So now for a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false? That Romeo's language conveys more positive connotations to Juliet than Rosaline.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Now, the correct answer is true.

Now, I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

They might have said that Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, which implies she sustains life.

Whereas Rosaline has said to have Dian's wit, which associates her with the moon, a dimmer celestial object.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Now, so far we've looked at the differences in Romeo's language when he's talking about Rosaline and Juliet.

However, there are also similarities.

So for example, he compares Rosaline to a treasure and he compares Juliet to a jewel.

Now, we might think he's comparing both women to something valuable, but also when you think about the fact he's comparing them to objects.

Think about what those comparisons suggest about Romeo's feelings about love and women.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Now as Izzy says, "Arguably, comparing them to treasure and jewels objectifies both Rosaline and Juliet." Now, objectification is one of our keywords.

It means the actor is treating a person as object or a thing.

Now the fact that Romeo is comparing both women to an object, perhaps suggest on some level, Romeo sees them both as a prize to be won.

It could be showing as societal ideas about women.

Elizabeth and England's a patriarchal society.

So men were in control.

So perhaps suggest that women was seen as more objects than human beings.

So now for a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false? That Romeo's comparison of Rosaline to treasure and Juliet to a jewel could be seen as objectification.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Now the correct answer is true.

Now, I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video and take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said that treasure and a jewel are both valuable physical objects.

Implies that Romeo, on some level, sees them as objects or prizes to be won.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Fantastic work, everyone.

We're now at the first task of the lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is think about the following information.

So Romeo's first line about Rosaline mentions the refusal of his love.

Romeo's first line about Juliet, she doth teaches the torches to burn bright.

Romeo compares Rosaline to the goddess of the moon, whereas Juliet is the sun.

Romeo compares Rosaline to treasure and Juliet is a jewel.

Now, do you think Romeo's love for Juliet is different from his love for Rosaline? Why or why not? I'd like you to write short answer explaining your reasoning.

So pause the video, write your answer now.

Welcome back, everyone, some great work there.

Now what I'd like you to do is think about Sofia's answer and think about how well it aligns with your ideas.

So Sofia said, "I think Romeo's language does present a difference in his love for Juliet and his love for Rosaline.

With Rosaline, we don't actually learn anything about her.

She's defined by her refusal of his love and has the wit of a goddess rather than being a goddess herself.

On the other hand, Romeo immediately sub Juliet herself and says she is the sun, which implies he's in awe of her as a person.

However, the comparison of both women to a precious object implies that Romeo's love still exists within societal conventions.

Arguably, Juliet is still someone to be won." So pause the video, think about how well Sofia's ideas align with your ideas.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, I think this question of whether or not Shakespeare presenting Romeo's love for Juliet as different from his love for Rosaline is so vital to the play.

If even the Shakespeare is saying he feels differently, then we're suggesting that Romeo's love for Juliet as elevated is true love.

However, if even Shakespeare is saying he feels the same about both women, perhaps we're seeing that Juliet actually isn't special.

Romeo's in love with this idea of love rather than a specific person.

Amazing work, everyone.

We're now moving onto the second learning cycle, but we're going to look at how Romeo talks about the concept of love when he's talking about Rosaline and Juliet.

Now, at the beginning of the play in Act 1 Scene 1, when speaking of Rosaline, Romeo uses several oxymorons.

"Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate.

O anything of nothing first create.

O heavy lightness, serious vanity, misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms. Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health." Now, oxymoron is one of our keywords.

It means two words or phrase used together that have or seem to have opposite meanings.

So for example, brawling love is an oxymoron since a brawl is a fight, which is the opposite of love.

So what I'd like you to think about is what does his use of oxymoron suggest for how Romeo feels about love in Act 1 Scene 1.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Some great ideas there.

Let's talk for some of the things you might have said.

Now, because oxymorons contain words with opposite meanings, you might have thought that Romeo sees love as conflicting, confusing, and uncertain because it suggests he feels sort of tension around the idea of love.

It doesn't make sense to him 'cause he's describing in opposites rather than words that suggest peace and alignment.

Now, as well as using oxymorons, Romeo also describes love in Act 1 Scene 1 as smoke and madness.

Now arguably, both these comparisons present love in quite abstract ways.

Now, abstract's another of our keywords.

It means existing a thought as an idea, but not having a physical or concrete existence.

Now, madness is something exists in our minds.

We might all say smoke is abstract, 'cause we can't touch or grasp smoke.

So what I'd like you to think about is what's these abstract words suggest for how Romeo sees love in Act 1 Scene 1? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, there's fantastic ideas there.

Let's talk through some of the things you might have said.

Now, potentially, we might see that Romeo's use of abstract terms suggest that love as an idea rather than something physical.

In terms of smoke specifically, it might suggest he sees love as unsubstantial.

So it's lacking a substance and strength.

So now for a quick check for understanding.

Which interpretation of love as smoke do you think is the most effective? Is A, it suggest love acts as signal and a guide; or B, it implies love is unsubstantial and impermanent.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, the correct answer is B.

It implies that love is unsubstantial and impermanent.

Now I'd like to tell me why B is the most effective.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

They might have said that while smoke can act as a signal, Romeo's depiction of love with Rosaline suggest something uncertain and confusing.

It's unsubstantial rather than certain and concrete.

So very well done if you got this right.

Now, in comparison, when talking of love with Juliet, Romeo says, "With love's light wings did o'erperch these walls By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.

He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes." So here he's saying that love gave him wings in order to climb the walls to reach Juliet's garden.

That love gave him counsel, so lent him eyes.

So what I'd like you to think about here is how is his depiction of love here different to his love with Rosaline.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone, some great ideas there.

Let's talk through some of the things you might've said.

He might have noticed that Romeo doesn't use any oxymorons here.

So no words with opposite meanings.

Now it might suggest that his love with Juliet is something more certain.

He isn't conflicted or unsure about his feelings.

The idea of love gave him wings.

Also suggest that love is physically helping Romeo to reach Juliet and a physical presence.

S]So substantial rather than abstract.

So love is real, true, and important.

So now for a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is tell me where the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false that Romeo's declaration that with love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls suggest that love is abstract.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Now, the correct answer is false.

Now, I'd like you to tell me why it's false.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said that here, Romeo suggested love physically allowed him to scale and overcome the walls to get to Juliet, such as love is substantial and physical rather than abstract.

So very well done if you got those right.

Amazing work, everyone.

Now the second task of the lesson.

Now arguably, Romeo describes love with Rosaline in more abstract terms and love with Juliet in more substantial terms. So what I'd like you to discuss is what might the significance be of Romeo describing love as more substantial rather than abstract.

You might consider something that is abstract as more of an idea or thought and being substantial conveys a sense of something more meaningful and solid.

So pause the video, take a few minutes to discuss.

Welcome back, everyone, some great discussions there.

What I'd like you to do now is think about Sam's ideas.

Think about how well they align with your ideas.

So Sam said, "By implying his love of Rosaline is abstract, Romeo implies that love is the idea of something rather something physical and consequential.

In contrast, by suggesting that love with Juliet is substantial and physical, it suggests that his love is more tangible.

It's more real than imaginary.

So potentially, implies love for Juliet can have a more substantial impact on his life as well." So pause the video, think about how well Sam's ideas align with your ideas.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now I think how Shakespeare presents Romeo's love is so important because I think it speaks to the question of what Shakespeare might be telling us about love through the play.

Is it something abstract that only exists in our minds, or is it something real and important that can physically affect our lives? Fantastic work, everyone.

And our third learning cycle, we're going to look at how Romeo sees his sense of self when he is in love with Rosaline and when he's in love with Juliet.

Now, throughout the play, Romeo's identity is heavily connected to his ideas of love.

So when talking of his love with Rosaline, Romeo says, "This is not Romeo, he's some other where." So what I'd like you to think about is what do you think the significance of this is? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now I love this line.

I think it demonstrates so well that feeling of having so lost in your emotions that you forget who you are because you've been lost in someone else or someone else's version of who you are.

As Jacob says, "I think it suggests he feels as if he's lost himself and doesn't know how to find himself again." Now, in contrast, when talking of his love for Juliet, Romeo says, "Call me but love, and I'll be new baptised.

Henceforth, I never will be Romeo." Now being baptised means participating in the religious right that symbolise being purified and admit to the Christian Church.

So what I'd like to think about here is how is his loss of Romeo here different to his loss of Romeo during his love with Rosaline? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, having some great ideas there.

Now, I think there are several key differences here.

As Lucas says, "It's suggests that it's his choice to lose himself and being baptised suggests he's joining something greater than himself rather than being lost." So he might be changing his identity, but he knows where he is.

He's not lost in some other place.

So now for a quick check for understanding.

Which of the following statements is true? Is it A, Romeo suggests that being in love helps him to know himself better; B, Romeo implies he lose his sense of self when he's in love; or C, Rosaline suggests she's lost her sense of self through her relationship with Romeo.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, in talk of Rosaline and Juliet, Romeo says he isn't Romeo anymore, which implies he loses sense of self when he is in love.

So very well done if you've got that right.

Amazing work, everyone.

And now the final task of the lesson.

So what I'd like you to do is think about the following two quotations.

"This is not Romeo, he's some other where.

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptised.

Henceforth, I never will be Romeo." I'd like you to think about what these two quotations suggest about Romeo's identity and sense of self when he's in love with Rosaline and Juliet respectively.

I'd like to write a short answer to explain your thoughts on the question.

So pause the video, write your answer now.

Welcome back, that was fantastic work there.

And what I'd like you to do is read back through your answer and reflect on following ideas.

So did you consider that both quotations imply that Romeo loses sense of self and identity when he falls in love? That saying this is not Romeo, he's some other where suggests his love for Rosaline leaves him feeling lost.

That saying I never will be Romeo implies he's choosing to lose himself in his love for Juliet.

That saying he'll be baptised in his love for Juliet implies he's joining something greater than himself.

So pause the video and read back through your answer now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, as I said earlier, I think how Shakespeare present love in "Romeo and Juliet" are so important.

Romeo and Juliet die for their love.

So do you think Shakespeare is saying we should be searching for love that we feel so strongly about, we give up our lives for, or is he cautioning us against feeling so deeply? That's something you might like to think about when you're reading and analysing the play.

You all did amazingly well today, everyone.

Here's a summary of what we covered.

Romeo's language implies he values Juliet for herself.

In contrast, Romeo's language suggests he values the chase for Rosaline rather than who she is.

Romeo's use of oxymorons suggests he sees love for Rosaline something uncertain and conflicting.

However, he describes love for Juliet in more physical terms, which suggests he sees as something substantial.

Romeo's suggests that while he's losing himself, his love for Juliet means he's joining something greater than himself.

I really hope you enjoyed the lesson, everyone.

I hope to see you for another lesson soon.

Goodbye.