New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
'Romeo and Juliet': honour, violence and masculinity in Act 5, Scene 3
I can explain how honour, violence and masculinity are presented in Act 5, Scene 3 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
'Romeo and Juliet': honour, violence and masculinity in Act 5, Scene 3
I can explain how honour, violence and masculinity are presented in Act 5, Scene 3 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Potentially, Paris’ defense of Juliet’s honour may show that men’s honour was affected by the women in their life.
- Arguably, both Paris and Romeo show a reluctance to engage in violence.
- Through their reluctance, perhaps Shakespeare is criticising societal expectations on men.
- Throughout ‘Romeo and Juliet’, it’s been suggested that male honour comes from defending it through violence.
- However, at the end of the play, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague’s actions suggest that honour now comes from civility.
Keywords
Cessation - the fact of something ending or stopping
Dishonourable - bringing shame or disgrace on someone or something
Civil - polite, respectful, or considerate in manner
Generous - showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is necessary or expected
Common misconception
That the male characters in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' are always keen to fight.
In Act 5, Scene 3, Romeo and Paris both seem reluctant to fight.
It may be useful to read through Act 5, Scene 3 before this lesson.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
'Qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Q2.
'A quality that combines respect, being proud, and honesty' is the definition of which word beginning with 'h'?
Q3.
In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', who does Lord Capulet arrange for Juliet to marry?
Lord Montague
Benvolio
Prince Escalus
Q4.
Throughout 'Romeo and Juliet', the Capulets and Montagues are ...
friendly neighbours
from opposite social circles
Q5.
'Bringing shame or disgrace on someone or something' is the definition of which of the following?
disobedient
distant
disown
Q6.
'Showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is necessary or expected' is the definition of which word beginning with 'g'?
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Starting with the first, put the events of Act 5, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in chronological order.
Q2.
'Polite, respectful, or considerate in manner' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q3.
In Act 5, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Lord Montague offers to dress Juliet's commemorative statue in which of the following?
jewels
silver
Q4.
'The fact of something ending or stopping' is the definition of which of the following?
resumption
continuation
renewal
Q5.
'A legal concept in Elizabethan England where a wife was entitled to receive property or income after her husband’s death' is the definition of which word beginning with 'j'?
Q6.
Complete the quotation from Act 5, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': “I beseech thee, youth, / Put not another upon my head”.