LESSON 1 - Research for Romeo and Juliet

Objective: Students will realize that Shakespeare was a product of his time, his background and his opportunities. That without these, his plays would not have been written the way they were.

Students will:
-illustrate what they know of Shakespeare (through research)
- his life, his works, his time Research for Romeo and Juliet

   

When we talk about Shakespeare, we have to take into account the world (and time period) he lived in. Particularly the fact that:

• he was born at a particularly fortunate moment in the history of English as a developing language, when print had for the first time made the recording of speech easily available.
  
• the first professional theatres had also opened when Shakespeare was in his teens, and by the time he was an adult they were strongly established.
  
• most of Shakespeare's plays were taken from published histories or tales in Shakespeare's time.

ASSIGNMENT

     In partners, pick one of the following and research it. You will be expected to give a 5-7 minute oral presentation on your topic. This can include posters, pictures, use of blackboard/overhead, costumes etc.

I. How would the historical places, events or person have shaped Shakespeare's life?

1. Queen Elizabeth I, or                          3. London in 1585-1600, or

2. Elizabethan Theatre, or                      4. The King's Men

II. Research and explain one of the following aspects of the Elizabethan age:

5. Home life, or                                  6. Trade and commerce, or

7. Food and clothing, or                      8. Education, or

9. The market town, or                        10. Health and medicine

III. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare makes use of some superstitions. Explain how Elizabethan society was involved in, and affected by, superstition. Romeo and Juliet