​Shakespeare Biography & Historical Context Lesson plan (Romeo and Juliet)

Objective

Students will gain a better understanding of “Romeo and Juliet” if they understand the life of William Shakespeare and the era he grew up in.  They will be able to see and understand how history affected Shakespeare’s writing and the controversy surrounding his life and works.  Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Elizabethan England as well as how Shakespeare’s influence still reaches us today.
 
For today, students should read the Prologue and Act I of “Romeo and Juliet”.

Discussion Questions/Writing Journal Responses

  1. (Prewrite) What do you know about “Romeo and Juliet”?  When you hear the name William Shakespeare, what comes to mind?  For this assignment just write everything you know (or think you know) about Shakespeare and “Romeo and Juliet”.  Also, write down any questions you may have.

  2. Thinking about what you’ve learned about William Shakespeare:  his upbringing, his writings, his education, etc., what do you think happened during those ten “lost” years?

  3. In the Elizabethan era, plays were not considered satisfactory literature or even praiseworthy reading material.  Based on what you’ve learned about history during this time, why do you think that is?  

  4. Starting with Shakespeare’s birth what where the principal events of his life, and how do you think they influenced his writings?

  5. The Globe.  What is the significance of it?  When did it come into play?  How does it compare to theaters today?  Include an illustration with your response, making sure it is labeled properly.  

  6. Given the discussion on blank verse and iambic pentameter, find examples of this in “Romeo and Juliet”.  How did Shakespeare’s writing style change written language as it was known during Elizabethan England?  Give some examples for comparison.

  7. When was “Romeo and Juliet” first written; when and where was it first performed; and who were the performers?   

  8. What was Shakespeare’s influence in writing this play?  Remember, everything Shakespeare did has a purpose, what was the point of this?

  9. Take the main characters you’ve met so far in the play and write down what you think about them.  Do you like them?  What part do you believe they will play in the remainder of the story?  Give examples of what you think – use quotes from the play.  
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  10. Some say that Shakespeare wasn’t certainly Shakespeare.  Some way he stole all these writings and then published them under his name.  Others believe it was multiple people working together and using this assumed name.  Still others believe it was a nobleman who didn’t want his friends and family to know he was writing such crass material.  What do you think and why?  Find proof to back up your thoughts.

Homework Assignments

Links:
  1. Foreshadowing Essay:  You’ve read the Prologue and Act I of the play.  The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is alluded to in the Prologue.  In an essay (2-3 pages) define foreshadowing and find the 3 places in Act 1 where both Romeo and Juliet echo the words of the Chorus in the Prologue.  What does this tell us about each character so far in the play?  Give examples to back up your thoughts.

  2. Design Time:  Design your own Globe Theatre!  You can use whatever materials you would like to create your 3D replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.  Each section must be labeled correctly.  Along with your replica, please provide a description of each section:  names, what they were used for, who used them, and any other facts you may have found compelling (will be 1-2 pages in length). 
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  3. Biography:  Get to know Queen Elizabeth – the woman the Elizabethan Age was named after.  Write a 3-4 page biography on the woman who influenced a nation.  This will NOT just be a recap of her life – how did her decisions affect England during her reign and for years after?  Make sure to give your insights and back up what you state.  Use MLA formatting throughout.

  4. Timeline:  Create a timeline of historically significant events during Elizabethan England, carefully adding in Shakespeare’s own timeline.  Make sure you complete it in two different colors so that overlaps and patterns can emerge.  Once you’ve completed it, look for patterns and write a 1-2 page essay on what you see – how did they affect one another? 

  5. Gaming:  Take the facts you have learned about Shakespeare and Elizabethan England and create a board game.  You must have at least 20 questions about each (so 40 total) – more is acceptable, but not less.  Your game must have a clear beginning, purpose, path (how it’s played/directions) and a clear way to win/end.  You can create something straightforward like SORRY© or something as complex as Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit.  You will need pictures, poster board (or cardboard), markers, glue, crayons, etc.  Don’t forget to write out the directions.

  6. Art Fair:  This was a terrific time of writing, painting, and history.  Find pictures of the art that speaks to you.  Create a poster and/or collage of what you like.  You must have at least 10 images.  For each image, you will write 1-2 paragraphs (4-6 sentences each paragraph) about why you chose that piece.
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