Romeo and Juliet

Explain the function of the prologue in Romeo and Juliet. 

Analyze the conflict in act 1, scene 1.

Analyze Shakespeare’s characterizations of Romeo and Benvolio.

Analyze how Shakespeare continues to develop the theme of fate in act 1, scene 2.

Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of the three female characters introduced in act 1, scene 3.

Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of Mercutio and describe his relationship with Romeo. 

Analyze Shakespeare’s characterization of Romeo.

Explain in a well-crafted essay how Shakespeare and Luhrmann each create mood in act 1, scene 5.

Explain how the interactions between Romeo and Juliet develop the themes of the play.

Analyze how the interactions between Romeo and Friar Lawrence develop the conflict of the play.

Examine the differences between Romeo the lover and Romeo the friend.

Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of young love in act 2, scenes 5-6.

Identify instances of foreshadowing in act 2, scenes 5-6.

Analyze how the events of act 3, scene 1 further communicate the theme of fate.

Analyze the events of act 3, scene 2 and the impact they have on the plot development.

Compare Romeo’s and Juliet’s reactions to his banishment and analyze what these reactions reveal about character and theme.

Analyze the connections drawn between love and death in act 3, scene 5.

Analyze Juliet’s character development in act 3, scene 5.

Analyze Juliet’s actions and motivations for her actions in act 4, scenes 1–3.

Analyze how Shakespeare develops the theme of young love in act 4, scenes 1-3.

Explain how Myers draws on and transforms ideas from Romeo and Juliet to develop the themes, characters, and/or conflict of Street Love.

Analyze the individual characters’ reactions to Juliet’s death.

Identify how the tone shifts in act 4, scene 5.

Analyze how Shakespeare uses the plot to develop the theme of fate in act 5, scenes 1–2.

Analyze the degree to which fate shaped the deaths of the protagonists.

Develop an opinion about the significance of the final scene and its relationship to earlier scenes.

Discuss and debate the essential thematic questions of the unit.