Activities and Discussion Questions for Romeo and Juliet
Activity #1 is designed to give background information on William Shakespeare and his plays. This can be adapted to include other information, or remove information that the teacher feels unnecessary.
Activity #2 can be used to strengthen understanding of Shakespearian dialect in a creative fashion, asking students to interpret the meaning of famous phrases from various plays.
Activity #3 is a culminating activity that works best at the end of the Shakespeare unit of study. I have done this project 4 times with students in the past, and it’s the highlight of the year. They love it, and it truly does demonstrate understanding of the characters, plot, and themes of the play.
Activity #4 is a set of 45 discussion questions to supplement the Baz Lurhmann edition of Romeo and Juliet. The questions are tailored to fit this version of the film specifically, and cater to class discussions to deepen understanding of the story.
Activity #1 – Shakespeare Notes Sheet – A basic outline of important information about the Bard and the structure of his plays.
Shakespeare Notes Sheet
William Shakespeare was born in __________________________ on ________ _____, ________. He passed away in _________________________ on ________ _____, ________. When he was ____ years old, he married Anne Hathaway, who was _______ older than he was. He and Anne had ____ children: _____________, ______________ and _____________ (twins), who passed away when he was just ______________.
Shakespeare is responsible for writing three different types of plays:
1. _________________ – a play in which one or more characters has a _______________ that leads to his or her _______________.
2. _________________ – an ______________ play that has at least ______ humorous character, and a ___________ ending.
3. _________________ – a play that is ___________ and tries to be as ___________ to ____________ as possible.
The characters in Shakespeare’s plays were very important to the development of the plot. In fact, ________ were hired to play the parts of ____________, as they were not allowed to act at this point in history. There are 3 different types of main characters in a Shakespearean tragedy:
Protagonist –
Antagonist –
Foil –
There are also 5 different stages in a Shakespearean tragedy:
Encroachment –
Complication –
*Reversal –
*Catastrophe –
Recognition –
Activity #2 – Shakespeare’s Famous Quotations: This is designed to help students gain familiarity with Shakespearian dialect and language.
Directions: As a group, translate Shakespeare’s quotations into your own words. LOOK UP any words that you do not know!!!
Quotations:
1. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry”.
2. “This above all: to thine own self be true”.
3. “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
4. “Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind”.
5. “I will speak daggers to her, but use none”.
6. “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall”.
7. “The miserable have no other medicine but only hope”.
8. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown”.
9. “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!”
10. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”.
11. “Everyone can master a grief but he that has it”.
12. “The course of true love never did run smooth;”
13. “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”
14. “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
15. “All that glisters is not gold.”
16. “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”
17. “Give thy thoughts no tongue.”
18. “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”
Activity #3 – Romeo & Juliet Scene Performance Project: This can be used as an assessment to gauge student learning of the play Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo and Juliet scene performance project
In the groups that you have been assigned to, complete the following steps:
1. Name your theater troupe & create your sign – From the beginnings of organized theater, the actors that performed together as a group would give themselves a name and travel from town to town putting on performances. Find a name that you can all agree upon and create a sign to let your audience know who you are, as well as what scene you will be performing. I will provide the materials to create the sign. Names must be appropriate (in English as well as any other language).
2. As a group, choose one of the following scenes to perform –
For groups with 3 members –
a. * “Turn and Draw!” – This scene occurs in act III of the play, and includes Romeo, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Tybalt comes to Sycamore Grove to find Romeo. He is upset with Romeo for showing up at his family’s costume party. He intends to duel (to the death) with Romeo, but Romeo refuses to fight with him. Since Romeo has just married Tybalt’s cousin Juliet, he feels as though it would be improper to duel with Tybalt. Mercutio is upset with Romeo, and feels he is a coward for not dueling with Tybalt. If you choose this scene, come up with a peaceful solution to this feud so that both sides are happy, rather than fighting.
b. “Banishment Is Worse Than Death” – This scene occurs in act IV of the play, and includes Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Nurse. Romeo has just killed Tybalt, and has run to Friar Laurence for advice. The Nurse shows up to deliver word of how Juliet is coping with the death of her cousin. The Nurse and Fr. Laurence get Romeo ready to go to Mantua, but first instruct him to go to Juliet’s house. In the actual play, the Nurse provides Romeo with rope so that he may climb up Juliet’s window to spend the night with her.
c. “A Man!” – This scene occurs in Act I of the play, and includes Lady Capulet, Juliet, and Nurse. Juliet’s mother tells her all about how wonderful Paris is, and how much their family likes him. Juliet’s mother asks her how she feels about marrying Paris, although she doesn’t seem to care what Juliet’s answer will be. Juliet tells her mother that she will entertain the idea, but nothing more. The Nurse constantly tries to emphasize what a wonderful man Paris is, but seems more concerned about Juliet’s true happiness.
d. “I Drink to Thee” – This is the last scene of the play, and includes Romeo, Juliet, and Paris. Although it was not shown in the movie, Paris is at Juliet’s tomb when Romeo shows up to drink the poison he has purchased. Paris thinks Romeo is there to damage Juliet’s grave, and they have a confrontation. Romeo tells Paris that he is Juliet’s husband and true love. Paris is so heartbroken by this news that he asks Romeo to end his life, which Romeo does. Romeo then sits with Juliet, and just as he drinks the poison to end his own life, Juliet awakens. Seeing her true love dead next to her, and Paris dead on the ground beside them, she stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger.
For groups with 4 members –
e. “A Warning and a Jealous Friend” – Romeo, having just met Juliet at the Capulet costume party the previous night, catches up with his friends at the beach the following morning. Mercutio tells Romeo he is slightly upset with him for having ditched all of them for Rosaline the night before. Even though Romeo was not with Rosaline, he does not tell his friends who he was really with. It then becomes apparent that Mercutio has a crush on Romeo. The Nurse shows up to warn Romeo about his dealings with Juliet. She tells him that he had better be honestly in love with her, as she is a young, impressionable girl. He tells her to pass word on to Juliet to meet him at Fr. Laurence’s that afternoon so that they can be married. WARNING – If you choose to do this scene, watch your language!
f. * “Add More Fuel To Your Fire” – This is the first scene of the play, and includes Gregory, Sampson, Tybalt, and Abra. This is where the audience becomes aware of how easily a fight between these two families can begin. Gregory begins the feud by “biting his thumb” at the Capulets. The Capulets retaliate by yelling at the Montagues, and before you know it, everyone’s swords are drawn. If you choose this scene, come up with a peaceful solution to this feud so that both sides are happy, rather than fighting.
g. “An Indecent Proposal” – This scene occurs in Act III of the play, and includes Juliet, Nurse, Lady Capulet, and Lord Capulet. Romeo has just spent his wedding night in Juliet’s room, and was snuck out the window by Juliet and Nurse before anyone could notice that he was there. Juliet’s mother comes in with the “happy news” that Lord Capulet has arranged for Juliet to marry Paris next Thursday morning. Juliet is very upset by this news, as she already has a husband who she is in love with, and tells her mother that she refuses to marry Paris. Lord Capulet comes into Juliet’s room, and she tells him the same. A struggle ensues where Lord Capulet assaults all three women, and tells Juliet that she can either marry Paris, or be kicked out of the house. Juliet’s mother refuses to be of comfort to her, and walks away from the situation. Nurse tells Juliet that she should marry Paris, and Juliet agrees that it’s a good idea, but we know better.
3. Write your script – Once your group has chosen a scene, begin creating a dialogue in YOUR OWN LANGUAGE for the characters. You must remain true to the actual plot of the story, but the characters may speak however you see fit.
No swearing (in any language).
No inappropriate language or innuendos (in any language).
Make sure the audience can understand the lines.
Your group must turn in a TYPE WRITTEN copy of the script to me on the day of your performance.
4. Rehearse! – Class days will be given for rehearsal, as I know it is difficult to do so out of class. I have some costumes, but you may bring anything from home that is suitable and approved by me.
5. Lights, camera, action! -2 or 3 groups will be performing per day, therefore, your performance can only be 10 minutes long maximum. You will have 10 minutes to get ready before you go onstage.
Please don’t be afraid to ask for help!!
Be mature and respectful, and Have fun!!!
Activity #4 – Romeo and Juliet Movie Discussion Questions – These will work ONLY with the 1996 Baz Luhrmann edition of the film!
Romeo and Juliet Movie Questions
Part I
1. What begins the newest argument between Capulets and Montagues at the gas station?
2. Who is Romeo in love with at the start of the play?
3. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo to help him get over the girl he originally has a crush on?
4. Who is in love with Juliet at the beginning of the play?
What do we know about him?
5. Describe the relationship between Juliet and her mother.
6. At the Capulet costume party, what does Romeo put in his mouth?
What effect does it have on him?
7. Why do you think the director put this in the movie when it was NOT in the play?
8. What is Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo’s presence at the costume party?
9. What is Lord Montague’s reaction to Romeo’s presence at the costume party?
10. How does Juliet feel about “Dave” Paris?
11. How do you know this (give example)?
12. What does Romeo compare Juliet’s beauty to when he sees her at the window at midnight?
Romeo and Juliet movie questions
Part II
13. What does Juliet mean when she says, “my only love sprung from my only hate”?
14. What does Juliet feel is the enemy of the love that she and Romeo have for one another?
15. What difference do you note about how impulsive both Romeo and Juliet are?
16. What agreement does Juliet make with Romeo for the following day after they meet?
*17. Why do you think Shakespeare puts Fr. Laurence’s speech about poisonous plants in the play?
18. Why does Fr. Laurence think it would be a good idea for Romeo and Juliet to be married?
10 points EXTRA CREDIT – who is the original artist of the song the choir sings in Fr. Laurence’s church as Romeo tells him of his love for Juliet?
19. Why won’t Juliet’s nurse immediately tell her what Romeo says about her?
20. Why does Tybalt come to the beach?
21. Why does Romeo refuse to engage in a duel with Tybalt?
22. What does Mercutio mean when he says “a plague on both your houses”?
23.What happens to Mercutio?
24. As a result of what happens to Mercutio, what happens to Tybalt?
25. What is Romeo’s punishment for what he does to Tybalt?
Romeo and Juliet movie questions
Part III
26. Why does Romeo feel that banishment is worse than death?
27. Where does Romeo go into exile?
28. What internal conflict is Juliet having after Tybalt’s death?
29. What “happy” news does Lady Capulet bring to Juliet after Romeo is snuck out of her room?
30. How does Juliet react to this news?
31. How does Lord Capulet react to Juliet’s refusal? What ultimatum does he give her?
32. Does Juliet’s mother comfort her? Why?
33. What insight do we have into the Capulet family after this confrontation?
34. What advice does Nurse give to Juliet?
35. What does Juliet say she will do if Fr. Laurence does not help her out of her marriage to Paris?
36. What is Fr. Laurence’s plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet?
37. What does the letter Fr. Laurence sends to Romeo say? What happens to this letter?
Romeo and Juliet movie questions
Part IV
38. What does Juliet say to her mother as she goes to bed the night before her wedding that should have tipped her mother off that something was wrong?
39. How do you think the Capulet’s feel about what Juliet has done? Who is to blame?
40. What does Balthasar think happens to Juliet?
41. What news from Verona does Balthasar have for Romeo?
42. What effect does Balthasar’s news have on Fr. Laurence’s plans?
43. What does Romeo do after hearing Balthasar’s news?
44. What happens after Romeo drinks the poison?
45. What could have been done to prevent this tragedy from occurring?
