Unit 4: Romeo and Juliet
Unit Description: We will read and analyze the play Romeo and Juliet in order to: ‐develop strategies that will allow today’s reader to better understand Shakespearean language. ‐ focus on characterization and conflict, understanding that emotion plays a major role in character decision making, often leading to negative consequences. Essential Questions: 1) How can we support our reading of Shakespeare’s syntax/language? 2) How does Shakespeare remain relevant even though time and language has changed? 3) Why do we read texts where the ending is already known? 4) How do emotions play a role in our decision making? 5) What are the consequences of making a decision based solely on emotion? 6) How should one go about making an important decision?
Reading Schedule: ***For each reading section, fill in the graphic organizer. ***For each viewing section, write down a half page of notes; ask two‐three discussion questions based on these notes. 1.Prologue (Read) 2. 1.1 (Read) 3. Act 1.2‐1.4 (View) 4. Act 1.5 (Read) 5. Act 2: Prologue (Read) 6. Act 2.1 (View) 7. Act 2.2 (Read) 8. Act 2.3 (View) 9. Act 2.4 (Read) Date
10. Act 2.5‐2.6 (View) 11. Act 3.1 (Read) 12. Act 3.2 and 3.3 (View) 13. Act 3.4 (Read) 14. Act 3.5 (View) 15. Act 4.1 (Read) 16. Act 4.2‐4.5 (View) 17. Act 5.1 (Read) 18. Act 5.2 (View) 19. and 20. Act 5.3 (Read) Character Decision/Action Based on Emotion Act and scene Consequence Assessments: Date
1) Act 1 Quiz: In a well‐developed paragraph, citing a specific example, explain how the servants, Tybalt, Juliet, or Romeo made a poor decision based on emotion. Also, discuss the consequences of this decision. 2) Act 2 Quiz: In a well‐developed paragraph, citing a specific example, explain how Nurse or Friar Laurence made a poor decision based on emotion. Also, discuss the consequences of this decision. 3) Act 3 and 4 Quiz: Explain how Tybalt and Mercutio’s deaths created chaos for Romeo and Juliet. Use at least one specific scene to help demonstrate this point. 4) Final Assessment: MLA style research paper, discussing who or what is to blame for the tragic deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
A. Selection of person or reason responsible for tragic ending B. Thesis statement and introduction
C. Topic sentences explaining the different reasons as to why the person or reason is responsible for the characters’ demise
D. Quotations and citations that will help prove the thesis
E. 1st draft
F. Research paper (Final draft) Date