'Romeo and Juliet': violence, masculinity and society in Act 1, Scene 1

English

In 'Macbeth: A Tragic Hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth, analysing the role he plays in his own downfall. In 'Macbeth & Masculinity: The Struggle for Power', pupils explore how Macbeth's insecurity surrounding his masculinity is his hamartia.

In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils focus on the role that Lady Macbeth plays in the downfall of her husband. In 'Macbeth: A Tragic Hero', pupils become more critical of Macbeth's own decisions, evaluating whether he could be considered a tragic hero.

In this unit, pupils look at the interplay between violence, honour, and masculinity in 'Romeo and Juliet'. They look at key scenes, and what they reveal about key male characters, before finally looking at how to use context and quotations effectively in an analytical essay.

Shakespeare: first deep dive

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual or domestic abuse or violence, including  threats of or the aftermath of.

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

A street fight breaks out between servants of the Montagues and Capulets.

Benvolio, a Montague, tries to break up the fight.

Tybalt, a Capulet, arrives and escalates the fight.

Prince Escalus arrives and puts a stop to the fight.

Starting with the first, put the events of Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in chronological order.

In Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Prince Escalus threatens the Montagues and Capulets with which of the following?

Lord Capulet wishes to join the fight but Lord Montague does not.

Lady Capulet and Lady Montague want to join the fight.

Lord Capulet and Lord Montague want to join the fight.

Which of the following is true of Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'?

'To be in control; to be powerful' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?

'Characteristic of animals, particularly in being physical and instinctive' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?

Complete the quotation from Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': “Draw if you be {{}}.”

'Qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?

'A set idea that people have about what someone or something is like' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?

In Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Benvolio says “Part fools / Put up your swords” so therefore we might associate him with which of the following?

'Power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behaviour' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?

Elizabethan England was a __________ society.

Which of the following is a term used for virginity?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of sexual violence

Adult supervision required

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet