'Romeo and Juliet': Juliet's agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Juliet’s agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Key learning points
- Arguably, the stage directions in Act 1, Scene 5 show Romeo taking control of the exchange with Juliet.
- Potentially, we might see Juliet as taking both a passive and active role in Act 1, Scene 5.
- Juliet’s language in Act 2, Scene 2 arguably shows her dictating the terms of her relationship with Romeo.
- By bringing up the subject of marriage, Juliet is arguably showing agency in the relationship.
- Stage directions can affect how we perceive power dynamics and relationships between characters.
Keywords
Agency - the capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices
Passive - not acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in control
Dictating - to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do
Common misconception
That women always took a passive role in relationships in the Elizabethan era.
Arguably, Juliet takes an active role in her relationship with Romeo.
Teacher tip
It might be useful to show images or clips of different stage productions of 'Romeo and Juliet' in the third learning cycle to help pupils think about how the staging might make them see the characters differently.
Equipment
This lesson uses an extract taken from Act 1, Scene 5 of 'Romeo and Juliet'. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Relating to or denoting a system of society or government controlled by men' is the definition of which word beginning with 'p'?
Q2.In a patriarchal society, women would have been expected to do which of the following?
Q3.In which scene do Romeo and Juliet first meet in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'?
Q4.To be 'subordinate' means to be which of the following?
Q5.'Not influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events, or things' is the definition of which word?
Q6.To be passive is to be which of the following?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', who brings up the subject of Romeo and Juliet's marriage first?
Q2.Act 1, Scene 5 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' includes the stage direction "He kisses her" in reference to Romeo. What does this imply?
Q3.'The capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q4.Complete the quotation from Act 1, Scene 5 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': “Saints do not , though grant for prayers’ sake”.
Q5.'To give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do' is the definition of which of the following?
Q6.Complete the quotation from Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': “O, swear not by the ".
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Romeo and Juliet': Juliet's agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Romeo and Juliet': Juliet's agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Romeo and Juliet: Juliet and female agency unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.