Exploring Benvolio and Mercutio as Romeo's counsellors in Act 1, Scene 4
I can explain Benvolio and Mercutio’s advice to Romeo in Act 1, Scene 4 and how it relates to the theme of love and fate.
Exploring Benvolio and Mercutio as Romeo's counsellors in Act 1, Scene 4
I can explain Benvolio and Mercutio’s advice to Romeo in Act 1, Scene 4 and how it relates to the theme of love and fate.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Our first impressions of Benvolio imply that he will play the role of the peace-maker in the play.
- Our first impressions of Mercutio suggest that he will be a character who provides comic relief.
- Benvolio and Mercutio’s advice to Romeo suggests that they don’t see love as emotional whereas Romeo does.
- Mercutio’s ‘Queen Mab’ speech suggests that dreams are merely wish-fulfillment.
- Romeo’s prophetic dream suggests that we cannot escape our fate.
Keywords
Portentous - something that seems to be a sign related to a future event — generally an ominous sign
Mercurial - changing suddenly and often; intelligent, enthusiastic, quick
Fate - the development of events outside a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power
Divination - the skill or act of saying or discovering what will happen in the future
Innuendo - a remark or remarks that suggest something sexual or something unpleasant but do not refer to it directly
Common misconception
That everyone in Elizabethan England thought dreams were profound and important.
Mercutio's 'Queen Mab' speech implies that dreams are inconsequential and merely wish-fulfillment.
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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