'Romeo and Juliet': exploring Juliet's agency in Act 4, Scene 1
I can explain Juliet’s agency in Act 4, Scene 1 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
'Romeo and Juliet': exploring Juliet's agency in Act 4, Scene 1
I can explain Juliet’s agency in Act 4, Scene 1 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Arguably, Paris’ use of imperative language suggests that men stereotypically dictated women’s life choices.
- Paris’ claim “thy face is mine” could reveal how women were not considered in control of their bodies.
- We might see Juliet’s desire to die as a way of taking control of her life.
- However, this might be undermined since her desire to die comes from her wish to remain “unstained” for Romeo.
- We might see Juliet’s use of imperatives as subverting contemporary stereotypes of women.
Keywords
Agency - the capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices
Imperative language - most commonly used to give a command or instruction
Dictating - to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do
Stereotype - a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like
Common misconception
That Paris is an unimportant plot device in 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Paris' interactions with Lord Capulet and Juliet arguably reveal contemporary stereotypes of relationships between men and women.
Equipment
This lesson uses an extract taken from Act 4, Scene 1 of 'Romeo and Juliet'. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
