'Romeo and Juliet': exploring Juliet's agency in Act 4, Scene 3
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Juliet’s agency in Act 4, Scene 3 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Key learning points
- Potentially, we might see Juliet’s resolve as strengthening as her speech progresses.
- However, the increasing desperate language might seem contradictory to this and could undermine her agency.
- Speaking in regular iambic pentameter arguably indicates calm emotions since it reflects a steady heartbeat.
- Juliet speaks in iambic pentameter when talking about her death which suggests she feels in control
- However, her final line is the most far removed from iambic pentameter and could undermine her agency.
Keywords
Agency - the capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices
Interrogative - a word or sentence used when asking a question
Resolve - to make a decision formally or with determination
Iambic pentameter - a line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable
Common misconception
That the rhythm of a character's speech is unimportant.
Exploring the rhythm of a character's speech can reveal their emotional state.
Teacher tip
It might be useful to have pupils try saying the lines considered in learning cycle two aloud so that they can see the variation in the different rhythms.
Equipment
This lesson uses an extract taken from Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Romeo and Juliet'. It's available in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Juliet wants to avoid marrying Paris for which of the following reasons?
Q2.Asking a lot of questions might indicate which of the following?
Q3.'A strong pattern of sounds, words, or musical notes that is used in music, poetry, and dancing' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Q4.Which of the following means a word or sentence used when asking a question?
Q5.To undermine something means which of the following?
Q6.'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'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In Act 4, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', what arguably happens to Juliet's resolve to drink the potion as her speech progresses?
Q2.Complete the quotation from Act 4, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet': “Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here’s drink. I drink to .”
Q3.'A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable' is the definition of iambic .
Q4.'To make a decision formally or with determination' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
Q5.The iambic pentameter rhythm mimics a .
Q6.In Act 4, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Juliet uses iambic pentameter to talk about which of the following?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: 'Romeo and Juliet': exploring Juliet's agency in Act 4, Scene 3, 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 Juliet's agency in Act 4, Scene 3, 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.