Act I, Scene V Sonnet

Name: ______

ACT I, SCENE V SONNET

First Meeting of Romeo and Juliet The first fourteen lines (92-105) of the lovers’ meeting are written in sonnet form (the first twelve lines rhyme alternately; the last two lines are a rhyming couplet). It is helpful to know that:  Sonnet writing was a popular and highly esteemed activity at Queen Elizabeth’s court.  To show their faith, pilgrims made long journeys ot the shrines of the Holy Land; they brought back leaves as proof of their visits, and were known as ‘palmers’  Romeo compares Juliet to a shrine or saint- religious imagery runs through their conversation.

1. Paraphrase each line on the provided lines beside the sonnet (on back). Do your best!

2. Annotate Romeo’s speech for examples of religious language.

3. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to use this religious imagery?

4. Do you feel Romeo is genuinely in love? Why or why not?

5. How do you think Juliet feels on first meeting? Why? Name: ______

ROMEO, taking Juliet’s hand If I profane with my unworthiest hand ______This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: ______My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand ______To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. 95 ______JULIET Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; ______For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, ______And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss. ______ROMEO ______Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? 100 JULIET Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. ______ROMEO O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. ______They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. ______JULIET ______Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake. ROMEO ______Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take. ______

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