FATE
- Jump to
- Prologue
- Final Scene
These lesson plans are designed for teaching fate in Romeo and Juliet. Follow along with them, or choose activities from them to supplement your teaching.
THE PROLOGUE (LESSON)
Learning Objective
Exploring the theme of fate in the Prologue of Romeo and Juliet.
Downloadable Resources
Starter (15 mins approx.)
Watch the below videos showing different interpretations of the Prologue in Romeo and Juliet. Discuss with the class.
Main activity (25 mins approx.)
Explain to students that they are going to be working in pairs, using rehearsal room activities to unlock meaning in the Prologue.
The first activity involves students taking it in turns to speak alternate lines of the Prologue to each other. On each line, before they start reading, they will need to repeat a key word or phrase from the previous line spoken by their partner before saying their own, phrasing this key word or phrase as a question.
See the downloadable lesson plan for the full activity, prompt questions and more.
Plenary (10 mins approx.)
Watch the Director, Lucy Cuthbertson, discussing the theme of Fate in Romeo and Juliet. Discuss with the class.
THE FINAL SCENE (LESSON)
Learning Objective
Exploring the theme of fate in the final scene of Romeo and Juliet.
Starter (15 mins approx.)
Watch the section of the scene from Romeo opening the tomb to find Juliet, to Juliet’s death. A theatre version is preferable to the Baz Luhrmann film if possible, as it veers away from the text slightly and is also much longer than stage versions tend to be.
While they are watching this section of the scene, ask students to write down what elements they can see that are tragic. Discuss their immediate thoughts after watching.
Main activity (25 mins approx.)
Ask students to read the Prince’s words in this final scene. Who does he hold to account for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, and who does he absolve? What is his reasoning? In pairs, ask students to write a list of questions they would have for the character playing the Prince, to try and help them understand his reasoning.
Once they have their questions, ask students to get up and walk around the room. When they meet another student’s eye, they should stop them and ask them one of their questions, with the other student pretending to be the Prince and attempting to ask the question.
Give students the chance to ask/answer about 5 questions before bringing the activity to a close.
Plenary (5 mins approx.)
Ask students what they have discovered about this final scene. Who do they think is to blame for the events?
Cast members on stage at the Globe Theatre in our 2019 production of Romeo and Juliet.