Comparing Romeo’s love for Juliet with his love for Rosaline
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the similarities and differences in how Romeo presents his love for Rosaline and his love for Juliet.
Key learning points
- Romeo’s language implies that he values Juliet for herself.
- In contrast, Romeo’s language suggests that he valued the chase for Rosaline rather than her.
- Romeo’s use of oxymorons suggests that he sees his love for Rosaline as something uncertain and conflicting.
- However, he describes his love for Juliet in physical terms which suggests it is more substantial.
- Romeo suggests that, while he is losing himself, his love for Juliet means he’s joining something greater than himself.
Keywords
Abstract - existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence
Substantial - not imaginary or illusory: real, true; important
Objectification - the act or an instance of treating a person as an object or thing
Oxymoron - two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings
Celestial - positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space e.g. sun, moon, stars
Common misconception
Juliet was Romeo's only love in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Before Juliet, Romeo believes himself to be in love with Rosaline.
Teacher tip
You could extend the discussion in Learning Cycle Three to think about how this concept of Romeo losing his sense of self in love links to the idea that he is 'in love with the idea of love' and that is what leads to his downfall.
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.At the start of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo is in love with...
Q2.Which of the following is the definition of 'certainty'?
Q3.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo's love for Rosaline at the start of the play makes him feel which of the following?
Q4.'Two words or phrases used together that have, or seem to have, opposite meanings' is the definition of which figure of speech?
Q5.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo's use of oxymorons when talking of his love for Rosaline suggests that he feels...
Q6.'The act or an instance of treating a person as an object or thing' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo compares Juliet to...
Q2.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo compares Rosaline to the goddess Diana who is the Roman goddess of...
Q3.'Not imaginary or illusory: real, true; important' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Q4.'Existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q5.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', when Romeo compares love to "smoke" this suggests something...
Q6.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', when talking of his love for Rosaline, Romeo says: “This is not . He’s some other where.” (Act 1, Scene 1).
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing Romeo’s love for Juliet with his love for Rosaline, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Comparing Romeo’s love for Juliet with his love for Rosaline, 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: exploring the role of love and fate unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.