Comment on a passage or idea and explain how it broadened, challenged or changed your way of thinking

One idea that surprised me was when Capulet said Juliet was too young to marry. I had assumed he would be eager to marry her off quickly, given the time period, but instead, he showed care for her youth and wanted her to wait two more years. This made me see that not all parents in Shakespeare’s era rushed to treat their daughters as possessions and properties.

Find an idea or passage in the text that is connected to something you already know, or which is based on your own life experiences

Romeo’s heartbreak over loving someone who doesn’t love him back is really relatable. Anyone who’s experienced unreturned feelings can understand what he’s going through. It makes time feel like it’s moving painfully slow — kind of like how a breakup can make every day feel like it lasts forever.

Explain how a section of the text shows something important about a character or theme

This shows Tybalt's violent personality and deep hatred for the Montagues. This may predict Tybalt’s role in increasing conflict later on in the play.

Highlight and note figurative language or poetic devices

Romeo uses oxymorons like "brawling love" and "loving hate" to express the confusing nature of love. He feels torn between joy and pain, showing how intense his emotions are.

Find a word that is unfamiliar to you; look it up and add the definition

"Carry coals" was a slang expression meaning to endure insults or humiliation. So Sampson is saying, “We won’t take any disrespect.”