NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

9.1.3 Lesson 9

Introduction
In this lesson, students read and analyze William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act 3.1, lines 59–110
(from “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford” to “I have it, and soundly too. Your houses!”). In this
excerpt, a fight breaks out between Mercutio and Tybalt after Tybalt insults Romeo, and Mercutio is
killed. Students work in pairs to explore how Shakespeare develops Romeo’s character through his
interactions with Tybalt and Mercutio. Prior to reading, students view a clip of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo +
Juliet, depicting the marriage of Romeo and Juliet. Student learning is assessed via a Quick Write at the
end of the lesson: How does Shakespeare develop Romeo’s character through his interactions with
Tybalt and Mercutio?

For homework, students continue their Accountable Independent Reading (AIR) and write a brief
response to the question: “Who is responsible for Mercutio’s death?”

Standards
Assessed Standard(s)
RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations)
develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot
or develop the theme.
Addressed Standard(s)
L.9-10.4.a, Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and
b, c phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of
strategies.
a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s
position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different
meanings or parts of speech (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical; advocate,
advocacy).
c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries,
thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.

Assessment
Assessment(s)
Student learning is assessed via a Quick Write at the end of the lesson. Students respond to the
following prompt, citing textual evidence to support analysis and inference drawn from the text.
 How does Shakespeare develop Romeo’s character through his interactions with Tybalt and
Mercutio?
High Performance Response(s)
A High Performance Response should:
 Explain how Romeo’s interactions with Tybalt develop Romeo’s character (e.g., Romeo’s
interactions with Tybalt develop his character by showing his wish for peace between his family
and Juliet’s. He refuses to fight Tybalt, telling him, “the reason that I have to love thee / Doth
much excuse the appertaining rage / To such a greeting” (lines 61–63). His interactions with
Tybalt demonstrate that Romeo is not interested in the feud between the Capulets and the
Montagues, and he wants to establish peace between the two families.
 Explain how Romeo’s interactions with Mercutio develop Romeo’s character (e.g., Romeo’s
interactions with Mercutio show him that he wants to end the feud between the Capulets and the
Montagues: he tells Mercutio to “put [his] rapier up” (line 83). Their interactions, especially
Romeo’s efforts to stop Mercutio from fighting, also show that Romeo cares about Mercutio and
sees him as a good friend. He calls him “[g]entle Mercutio” (line 83) and “[g]ood Mercutio” (line
89), and when Mercutio has been hurt, Romeo tries to comfort him, saying, “[c]ourage, man, the
hurt cannot be much” (line 97).

Vocabulary
Vocabulary to provide directly (will not include extended instruction)
 vile (adj.) – highly offensive
 submission (n.) – act of accepting the authority or control of someone else
 rapier (n.) – small sword having a narrow blade and used for thrusting
 plague (n.) – disease that causes death and that spreads quickly to a large number of people
 braggart (n.) – loud arrogant boaster

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

 rogue (n.) – dishonest person

Vocabulary to teach (may include direct word work and/or questions)
 villain (n.) – rogue and peasant
 appertaining (v.) – relating to
 tender (v.) – to hold something dear, to value
 dishonorable (adj.) – disgraceful, shameful
 alla stoccado (n.) – thrust with a rapier
 pilcher (n.) – scabbard; sheath for a sword or the like
 bandying (v.) – violent arguing
 passado (n.) – thrust while stepping forward
 sped (adj.) – finished
 peppered (adj.) – ruined
 zounds (interjection) – contraction of “by God’s wounds” and considered an offensive oath
Additional vocabulary to support English Language Learners (to provide directly)
 None.

Lesson Agenda/Overview
Student-Facing Agenda % of Lesson
Standards & Text:
• Standards: RL.9-10.3, L.9-10.4.a, b, c
 Text: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Act 3.1: lines 59–110

Learning Sequence:
1. Introduction of Lesson Agenda 1. 5%
2. Homework Accountability 2. 10%
3. Film Clip: Romeo + Juliet 3. 15%
4. Masterful Reading 4. 10%
5. Reading and Discussion 5. 45%
6. Quick Write 6. 10%
7. Closing 7. 5%

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Materials
 Student copies of the Romeo + Juliet Film Summary Tool (refer to 9.1.3 Lesson 2)—students may
need additional blank copies
 Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (55:57–1:00:10)
 Free Audio Resource: https://www.apple.com/ (Google search terms: Romeo and Juliet, USF Lit2Go,
iTunes)
 Student copies of the Character Tracking Tool (refer to 9.1.1 Lesson 3)—students may need
additional blank copies
 Student copies of the Central Ideas Tracking Tool (refer to 9.1.3 Lesson 3)—students may need
additional blank copies
 Student copies of the Short Response Rubric and Checklist (refer to 9.1.1 Lesson 1)

Learning Sequence
How to Use the Learning Sequence
Symbol Type of Text & Interpretation of the Symbol
10% Percentage indicates the percentage of lesson time each activity should take.
Plain text indicates teacher action.
no
Bold text indicates questions for the teacher to ask students.
symbol
Italicized text indicates a vocabulary word.
 Indicates student action(s).
 Indicates possible student response(s) to teacher questions.
 Indicates instructional notes for the teacher.

Activity 1: Introduction of Lesson Agenda 5%

Begin by reviewing the agenda and the assessed standard for this lesson: RL.9-10.3. Students listen to a
masterful reading of Act 3.1, lines 59–110 (from “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford” to “I have it,
and soundly, too. Your houses!”), and then work in pairs to explore how Romeo’s interactions with
Tybalt and Mercutio develop his character. In this lesson, students also watch a short film clip from Baz
Lurhmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

 Students look at the agenda.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Activity 2: Homework Accountability 10%

Instruct students to form pairs to share their responses to the homework from the previous lesson. (Use
the “List of Roles” that appears at the beginning of the play to explain how Tybalt, Petruchio, Benvolio,
and Mercutio are connected to either Romeo or Juliet.)

 Students share information about specific characters.

 Student responses should include:
o Tybalt is Juliet Capulet’s cousin.
o Petruchio is Tybalt’s friend.
o Benvolio is Romeo Montague’s cousin.
o Mercutio is Romeo’s friend and a relative of the Prince.

Activity 3: Film Clip: Romeo + Juliet 15%

Instruct students to take out the Romeo + Juliet Film Summary Tool. Explain to students that they will
use this tool to record their observations about an excerpt from Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Instruct
students to take notes as they view the excerpt, focusing especially on characters and events.

Transition students to the film viewing. Show Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (55:57–1:00:10).

 Students watch the film and take notes on their tool.

 See Model Romeo + Juliet Film Summary Tool for possible student responses.

Instruct students to form pairs. Post or project the following questions for student pairs to answer
before sharing out with the class.

Who are the characters in this portion of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet?
 Student responses should include:
o The characters in the first scene are Romeo, Juliet, the Nurse, and the priest, Friar Laurence.
o The characters in the second scene are Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin), Mercutio (Romeo’s
friend and one of the Prince’s relations), and Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin).

What happens in this portion of the film?

 Student responses should include:
o Romeo and Juliet get married.
o Tybalt challenges Mercutio.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Lead a brief whole-class discussion of student responses.

Activity 4: Masterful Reading 10%

Have students listen to a masterful reading of Act 3.1, lines 59–110 (from “Romeo, the love I bear thee
can afford” to “I have it, and soundly too. Your houses!”). Ask students to listen for how Shakespeare
develops Romeo’s character in this scene.

 Consider using the following free audio resource: https://www.apple.com/ (Google search terms:
Romeo and Juliet, USF Lit2Go, iTunes).
 Differentiation Consideration: Provide the following guiding question to support students in their
reading throughout this lessons reading:

How does Romeo behave in this scene?

 Students follow along, reading silently.

Activity 5: Reading and Discussion 45%

Instruct students to form pairs. Post or project the questions below for students to discuss. Instruct
students to continue to annotate as they read and discuss.

 Remind students that they should keep track of character development and central ideas in the text
using the Character Tracking Tool and the Central Ideas Tracking Tool.

Instruct student pairs to read Act 3.1, lines 59–110 (from “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford” to “I
have it, and soundly too. Your houses!”), and answer the following questions before sharing out with
the class.

Provide students with the following definitions: vile means “highly offensive,” submission means “act of
accepting the authority or control of someone else,” rapier means “small sword having a narrow blade
and used for thrusting,” plague means “disease that causes death and that spreads quickly to a large
number of people,” braggart means “loud arrogant boaster,” and rogue means “dishonest person.”

 Students write the definitions vile, submission, rapier, plague, braggart, and rogue of on their
copies of the text or in a vocabulary journal.

Direct students to the explanatory notes for the definitions of the following words: villain, appertaining
to, alla stoccado, pilcher, passado, bandying, sped, peppered, and zounds.

 Consider drawing students’ attention to their application of standard L.9-10.4.c through the process
of determining word meaning through the use of explanatory notes.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

How do the greetings that Tybalt and Romeo exchange in lines 59–64 advance the plot?
 When Juliet’s cousin Tybalt calls Romeo a “villain” (line 60) he creates a conflict that must be
resolved because Romeo has to decide how to respond to his new wife’s cousin.

What effect do the greetings between Tybalt and Romeo create?

 Student responses may include:
o The exchange creates tension because Romeo must either defend his honor by confronting
Tybalt, who has insulted him, or try to keep peace with Tybalt, who is his wife’s cousin, by
ignoring the insult.
o The greetings also create tension because when Romeo says, “Tybalt, the reason that I have
to love thee / Doth much excuse the appertaining rage / To such a greeting” (lines 61–63),
Romeo and the audience know that Romeo is Juliet’s husband, but Tybalt does not know
this, reminding the audience that Romeo and Juliet’s marriage remains a secret, and that it
could still prove dangerous.

How does Romeo’s response to Tybalt’s insult develop Romeo’s character?

 Student responses may include:
o Romeo’s statements, “[t]herefore, farewell” (line 64) and “[a]nd so, good Capulet … / be
satisfied” (lines 70–71) are evidence that Romeo is willing to walk away from Tybalt and
does not want to fight him, depicting Romeo as someone who is seeking peace rather than
someone who wants to continue the feud between the families.
o By addressing Tybalt as “good Capulet” (line 70), and claiming that he values the name of
Capulet as dearly as his own, Romeo demonstrates his love for Juliet with his willingness to
go against his family for her sake.

 Differentiation Consideration: If students struggle to answer this question, consider posing the
following scaffolding questions:

What clues in this sentence can help you to understand what Romeo means by tender in this
context?
 The word “dearly” suggests that tender in this context means "hold something dear" or "value
something."
 Consider drawing students’ attention to their work with standard L.9-10.4.a through the process of
using context as a clue to the meaning of a word.

How do Mercutio’s words in line 72 compare to Romeo’s response to Tybalt?

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

 Student responses may include:

o Although Tybalt has insulted Romeo, Romeo refuses to fight, saying instead, “I do protest I
never injured thee, / But love thee better than thou canst devise” (lines 67–68), showing
that he wishes to avoid conflict with the Capulets, the family of his new wife.
o Mercutio, on the other hand, takes offense on behalf of Romeo and calls Romeo’s refusal to
fight an example of “vile submission” or giving in to a Capulet.
o Mercutio uses words with negative connotations such as “vile” and “dishonourable” (line
72), showing that he disapproves of Romeo’s response and views it as shameful.

 Differentiation Consideration: If students struggle to answer this question, consider posing the
following scaffolding question:

What root word do you see in dishonourable? How does the prefix dis- change the root meaning
of this word?
 The word honour is in the word dishonourable. The prefix dis- makes the word mean the
opposite of the root word. In this case, dishonourable means "without honor" or "shameful."
 Consider drawing students’ attention to their work with standard L.9-10.4.b through the process of
using word patterns to make meaning of unknown words.

How does Shakespeare use the stage directions to depict Mercutio’s response to Tybalt’s insult?
 The stage directions “[Draws]” (line 73) and “[They fight]” (line 84) show that Mercutio chooses
to fight Tybalt.

How do the interactions between Romeo and Mercutio continue to develop Romeo’s character?
 Student responses may include:
o Romeo’s efforts to stop Mercutio from fighting show that he views Mercutio as a good
friend. He calls him “[g]entle Mercutio” (line 83) and “[g]ood Mercutio” (line 89).
o Romeo’s response when Tybalt stabs Mercutio shows that Romeo cares about Mercutio. He
is trying to comfort him when he says, “[c]ourage, man, the hurt cannot be much” (line 97).
o Rather than arguing with Mercutio when he accuses Romeo of getting in the way, Romeo
only says, “I thought all for the best” (line 106), showing that he was trying to help Mercutio
and did not want Mercutio to get hurt.

How does Mercutio’s repetition of “[a] plague a’ both your houses” develop a central idea?
 By repeating “[a] plague a’ both your houses” (lines 101 and 108), Mercutio blames the feud
between the Capulets and the Montagues for his death. This develops the central idea of

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

individual identity versus group identification by demonstrating the deadly results of the conflict
between the families, and showing that the tension Romeo and Juliet face between family
loyalty and their love for one another as individuals is a matter of life and death.

Lead a brief whole-class discussion of student responses.

Activity 6: Quick Write 10%

Instruct students to respond briefly in writing to the following prompt:

How does Shakespeare develop Romeo’s character through his interactions with Tybalt and Mercutio?

Instruct students to look at their annotations to find evidence. Ask students to use this lesson’s
vocabulary wherever possible in their written responses. Remind students to use the Short Response
Rubric and Checklist to guide their written responses.

 Students listen and read the Quick Write prompt.

 Display the prompt for students to see, or provide the prompt in hard copy.

Transition to the independent Quick Write.

 Students independently answer the prompt using evidence from the text.
 See the High Performance Response at the beginning of this lesson.

Activity 7: Closing 5%
Display and distribute the homework assignment. For homework, instruct students to reread Act 3.1,
lines 85–110 (from “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons / Gentlemen, for shame” to “I have it,
and soundly too. Your houses!”), and write a brief response to the following prompt:

Who is responsible for Mercutio’s death?

Ask students to use this lesson’s vocabulary wherever possible in their written responses. Remind
students to use the Short Response Rubric and Checklist to guide their written responses.

Also for homework, students should continue to read their AIR text through the lens of their chosen
focus standard and prepare for a 3–5 minute discussion of their text based on that standard.

 Students follow along.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Homework
Reread lines 85–110 (from “Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons / Gentlemen, for shame” to “I
have it, and soundly too. Your houses!”). Write a brief response to the following prompt:

Who is responsible for Mercutio’s death?

Use this lesson’s vocabulary from the unit so far wherever possible in your written responses. Use the
Short Response Rubric and Checklist to guide your written responses.

Also, continue to read your Accountable Independent Reading text through the lens of a focus standard
of your choice and prepare for a brief discussion of your text based on that standard.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Model Romeo + Juliet Film Summary Tool

Name: Class: Date:

Directions: Use this tool to record your observations about Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

Scene: Romeo and Juliet get married and Mercutio and Tybalt begin a fight.
Characters Events Other observations
(i.e., Which characters appear (i.e., What happens in the film (e.g., Where and when is the
in the film clip? clip? film set? What do the
characters wear? How do they
behave? What kind of music
does the director use?)
Romeo Romeo and Juliet are married. Candles light the church and a
choir plays in the background;
Juliet
Juliet wears a plain, white
Friar Laurence sleeveless dress; Romeo wears a
Nurse plain navy suit. Romeo and Juliet
are quietly happy. The Nurse
wears a red suit and looks on
with a combination of anxiety
and happiness.

Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin) Mercutio and Tybalt begin a Music in the background is
fight. foreboding. The scene is set at
Mercutio (Romeo’s friend)
the beach on a hot day with a
Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) storm in the background.
Camera shots of the different
faces, in combination with some
long shots, create tension.
Mercutio is mocking when he
first meets Tybalt. In Luhrmann’s
film, Mercutio are almost
fighting by the time Romeo
arrives.

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Model Character Tracking Tool

Name: Class: Date:

Directions: Use this tool to keep track of character development throughout the module. Trace
character development in the texts by noting how the author introduces and develops characters. Cite
textual evidence to support your work.

Text: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Character Trait Evidence

Romeo Forgiving Romeo tries to ignore Tybalt’s insult, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to
love thee / Doth much excuse the appertaining rage / To such a greeting.
Villain am I none, / Therefore farewell,” (lines 61-64). He does not draw
his weapon when Tybalt challenges him and instead says, “I do protest I
never injuried thee, / But love thee better than thou canst devise” (lines
67–68).
Peaceful He tries hard to keep peace between Tybalt and Mercutio, telling both of
them to put down their weapons and reminding them, “[T]he Prince
expressly hath / Forbid this bandying in Verona streets” (lines 87–88).
When this does not stop the fighting, he tries to physically stop the fight.

Guilty He tells Mercutio, “I thought all for the best” (line 106).

Tybalt Angry First he insults Romeo by saying, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
/ No better term than this: thou art a villain” (lines 59–60). The he
challenges Romeo when Romeo does not respond, saying, “[T]herefore
turn and draw” (line 66).
Mercutio Proud He takes offense when Tybalt insults his friend, Romeo.
He is upset that he is killed by Tybalt, whom he does not admire as a
swordsman, saying he “fights by the book of arithmetic” (line 104) and
that he has been “scratch[ed] … to death” as though by an animal, “a
dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat” (lines 102–103).

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Angry He is angry that Romeo is not responding to Tybalt and says, “O calm,
dishonourable, vile submission!” (line 72).
He provokes Tybalt, calling him a “rat-catcher” (line 74) and draws his
sword, challenging Tybalt to fight.
As he is dying, he curses, “A plague a’ both your houses,” expressing his
anger at both the Capulets and the Montagues (lines 92, 101–102, 108,
110).
Brave He is willing to fight for Romeo’s honor rather than let his friend be
shamed.
Witty He makes many jokes based on Tybalt’s name, calling him “rat-catcher”
(line 74) and “King of Cats” (line 76) and referring to his life as “one of …
nine,” (lines 76–77) since a cat is said to have nine lives.
He uses lots of word play, even when he is dying, calling himself a
“grave” man, meaning he is both serious and ready for the grave (line
100); he knows that his wound will kill him, but describes it as a
“scratch” that is “not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a / church door,
but ‘tis enough, ‘twill serve” to kill him (lines 95, 98–99).

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NYS Common Core ELA & Literacy Curriculum DRAFT Grade 9 • Module 1 • Unit 3 • Lesson 9

Model Central Ideas Tracking Tool

Name: Class: Date:

Directions: Identify the central ideas that you encounter throughout the text. Trace the development
of those ideas by noting how the author introduces, develops, or refines these ideas in the texts. Cite
textual evidence to support your work.

Text: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Act/Scene/ Central Ideas Notes and Connections

Line #
3.2, lines Individual identity versus Romeo, a Montague, is not willing to fight Tybalt, a
61–63 group Identification Capulet, now that he is related to him by marriage. He
says, “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee / Doth
much excuse the appertaining rage / To such a
greeting,” (lines 61–63), referring to his marriage to
Juliet, which is still unknown to Tybalt.
3.2, lines Individual identity versus He says that he “tender[s]” the name “Capulet” “As
70–71 group Identification dearly as [his] own” (lines 70–71)

3.2, line 92 Individual identity versus Mercutio curses, saying “A plague a’ both your
group Identification houses!” (line 92), suggesting that his death was caused
by the conflict between the family identifications.

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