'Romeo and Juliet': exploring individualism and the status quo
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Shakespeare represents ideas of individualism and the status quo in ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Key learning points
- Romeo and Juliet's secret marriage creates a conflict between individual desire and traditional authority.
- We also arguably see the rule of law and religion being challenged by individual desire.
- Potentially, the feud serves to preserve the status quo that is threatened by individualism.
- Shakespeare's depiction of individualism may represent Elizabethan anxiety about the social cost of individualism.
Keywords
Individualism - a social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control
Autonomy - the ability to make your own decisions about what to do
Status quo - the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issue
Common misconception
Individuality is always celebrated in literature.
Arguably, Shakespeare could be seen as demonstrating the consequences of individuality through 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Teacher tip
You could extend the thinking in the lesson to think broadly about whether the students consider Shakespeare a conservative or progressive writer.
Equipment
You may wish to have a copy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the events of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in chronological order.
Q2.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', what is the Prince's reaction to the street fight between the Montagues and Capulets in Act 1, Scene 1?
Q3.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo and Juliet are doing which of the following by marrying each other in secret?
Q4.'Behave in line with socially acceptable conventions or standards' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q5.In Elizabethan England, which of the following statements are true of how individuality was seen?
Q6.'The ability to make your own decisions about what to do' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', which of the following does the Prince arguably represent?
Q2.'The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues' is the definition of the quo.
Q3.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', which of the following does the feud potentially represent?
Q4.Complete the sentence: 'Shakespeare's plays often __________ the status quo.'
Q5.'A social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Q6.Which of the following does the feud arguably do in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Romeo and Juliet': exploring individualism and the status quo, 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': exploring individualism and the status quo, 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: the tragedy of societal expectations unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.