However, there are still good moments - one of them took place about a year ago, and when I was preparing a lesson on "Romeo and Juliet" today I recalled how much my Year 9s enjoyed writing rap songs about the play.
This is the one that got them started, by yours truly:
I have a story to tell you – Yo! -
About a homie called Romeo
And how he went and got himself banished
For killing Tybalt he shoulda been punished
So what’s the deal? Is this for real?
The way it went down was – listen, yo,
Tybalt had it in for Romeo
Because the dude had crashed a ball,
for Tybalt’s cousin Juliet and all,
So what’d he do? I’m telling you!
One day in old Verona Square
Where Ben and Mercutio were taking air
Along comes Tybalt, gets in their face
Mercutio says “Get outta this place”
It all went bad – it’s really sad.
Romeo, fresh from his wedding day,
Came along to tell his best friends: “Hey,
I just got hitched to the girl of my dreams!”
When Tybalt suddenly screams –
“You’re a villain!” – he really dissed him.
Romeo tried to keep his cool,
Said: “Listen, man, don’t be a fool,
We should be mates, can’t tell you why,
But Tybalt, please be satisfied.”
He turned away – O fateful day!
Tybalt yelled: “Now turn and fight!”
But Romeo resisted with all his might
Until Mercutio thought he should
Stand up for the Montague manhood
So he got involved – problem solved.
Except it wasn’t, ‘cause Romeo tried
To keep the peace by stepping inside
The range of Tybalt’s angry blade.
Mercutio felt he’d been betrayed
When Tybalt got him – made wormsmeat of him.
Mercutio died with a curse on his lips:
“On both your houses - a plague!” he hissed
Romeo knew his fate that day
Was to find a way for Tybalt to pay
He took the guy's life – and paid the price.
He didn’t get killed, as the Prince had said,
‘cause Tybalt was the cause of Mercutio’s death,
But he had to leave the very next day.
From Juliet he went away -
You know the rest – but which scene is best?
Good fun, especially if you can get one of the kids to "beatbox" with you.
