a play dealing with tragic events and often ends with a death

the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions

the central character of a play, film, etc., depicted as a noble figure who experiences a tragic downfall

a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine

Exploring the conventions of Shakespearean tragedy in 'Romeo and Juliet'

English

Exploring how the prologue sets up the theme of fate in 'Romeo and Juliet'

Exploring Romeo's unrequited love for Rosaline in 'Romeo and Juliet'

Exploring Lady Capulet and the Nurse’s views on marriage in Act 1, Scene 3

Exploring Benvolio and Mercutio as Romeo's counsellors in Act 1, Scene 4

Exploring love and foreshadowing in Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Romeo and Juliet'

Exploring the development of Romeo and Juliet's relationship in Act 2, Scene 2

Comparing Romeo’s love for Juliet with his love for Rosaline

Writing analytically about Shakespeare's presentation of Romeo and love

Exploring the role of Friar Lawrence in Act 2, Scene 3 of 'Romeo and Juliet'

Exploring the role of the Nurse and comedy in Act 2, Scene 4

Exploring love, masculinity and fate in Act 3, Scene 1 of 'Romeo and Juliet'

Exploring symbolism in Romeo and Juliet's last meeting in Act 3, Scene 5

Exploring Lord Capulet's views on women and marriage in Act 3, Scene 5

Planning an essay on the role of fate in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'

Writing an essay on the role of fate in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'

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 'Othello', pupils explore the role that Desdemona played in her husband's downfall. In 'Macbeth: Lady Macbeth as a Machiavellian Villain', pupils analyse the impact of Lady Macbeth's manipulation.

In this unit, pupils read and analyse 'Romeo and Juliet' by focusing on the role of fate. They start by understanding the play's tragedy and the concept of fate, before exploring key characters and themes in detail. They finally prepare and write an essay about the role of fate in the play.

Shakespeare: first reading

a separate introductory section of a literary, dramatic, or musical work

the development of events outside a person's control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power

everything that happens to someone during their life, including what will happen in the future

the ability to act and make choices independent of any outside influence

(of a feeling, especially love) not returned

the act or an instance of treating a person as an object or thing

sadness that lasts for a long period of time

an intense desire for something, particularly sexual desire

two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings

relating to or denoting a system of society or government controlled by men

the quality of involving funny remarks about sex

doing, or willing to do, what you have been told to do by someone in authority

to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society

closely connected so as to be difficult to separate

something that seems to be a sign related to a future event — generally an ominous sign

changing suddenly and often; intelligent, enthusiastic, quick

the skill or act of saying or discovering what will happen in the future

a remark or remarks that suggest something sexual or something unpleasant but do not refer to it directly

a poetic form consisting of 14 lines, written in iambic pentameter, typically on the topic of love

a sign of something that will happen in the future

figurative language where something is used to represent something other than its literal meaning

sounds articulated with an abrupt release of air like ‘d’, ‘p’, ‘b’, or ‘t’

actions based on sudden desires, whims, or inclinations rather than careful thought

extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

not imaginary or illusory: real, true; important

positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space e.g. sun, moon, stars

causing a major change to something or someone, especially in a way that makes it or them better

making you feel free and able to behave as you like

giving or having power to create or support life; essential to life

completely filling one's mind and attention; obsessive

belongs to a religious order, a group within the Catholic church

the state of combining two different things

not connected with religious or spiritual matters

a play that has a light or humorous tone that depicts amusing incidents

the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one

the most intense, exciting, or important point of something

showing or feeling active opposition or hostility towards someone or something

with the qualities that people usually expect of a particular type of person or thing

involving a violation of moral or social boundaries

giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen

accurately predicting what will happen in the future

permission for something to happen or agreement to do something

undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution)

regarded in a specified way - used to say how something or someone is seen or thought of

Shakespeare: first reading

Romeo and Juliet: exploring the role of love and fate

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