Taxonomy of Questions
Romeo and Juliet: Act 1 Scene 4
Purpose: This questioning strategy, as most questioning strategies, helps students
deepen their understanding and develop their own higher order thinking abilities.
Rationale: By answering the questions from all levels of Bloom’s taxonomy listed below,
students will increase their understanding of one of Shakespeare’s main themes: Human
Folly. Students will see this as Shakespeare portrays Romeo’s decision to go to the
Capulet’s party even when he feels he should not. Students will explore why they (and
all humans) act foolishly at times.
Instructions to Teacher: After reading Act I, Scene iv of Romeo and Juliet, as the
following questions.
Knowledge:
What is going on in this scene? [Romeo and his friends are on the way to
the Capulet’s party; Benvolio is trying to help Romeo consider other
women than Rosaline]
Comprehension:
In line 106, Romeo says “my mind misgives….” What does he mean by
this? [It means he feels like he shouldn’t go to the party; he feels that
something bad might happen as a result of his going.]
Application:
Why do men in general sometimes waver, ignoring what they feel? What
G-rated examples can you think of from your own experience or that of
others you know?
Analysis:
Why does Romeo go to the party, when he feels he should not? What
evidence is there from the text that supports your answer? [Perhaps
Romeo feels peer pressure; he feels a desire to prove Benvolio wrong,
perhaps at the same time secretly hoping that he is right—that he can fall
in love with someone else and thus escape despair.]
Synthesis:
What would have happened if Romeo had decided to stay home? How
would he have felt about himself? Rosaline? the future?
Evaluation:
Which do you agree with: “To thine own self be true” or “One for all and
all for one (Be true to your neighbor)?” Why?
Anderson, BYU, 2002