1 of 2

Year 9 English Half Term 2 – Romeo and Juliet

Texts

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Further reading

  • The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
  • Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper

Assessment

Bog Test- analytical writing–

How has Shakespeare presented _______ in Romeo and Juliet?

Academic language includes:

structural words (connects the text)

analytical words (studies the evidence)

descriptive words (refers to the main character/theme in the essay)

What you need to know

  • Key vocab - listed opposite

  • Word types - noun, adjective, verb, adverb

  • Methods - simile, metaphor, personification

  • Punctuation . , ? !

  • Plot

  • Skills –

How to plan and structure a literature essay

How to make inferences from a text

How to comment on the effect of methods

Week by week

Week 1 – Tragedy, prologue

Week 2 – Paris, Juliet and balcony scene

Week 3 – Friar Lawrence and the fight scene

Week 4 – Romeo as a tragic hero

Week 5 – Character

Week 6 – Essay Writing

Week 7- Assessment Preparation

Word

Meaning

Example

Patriarchy

A society where men are in charge

Verona is a patriarchal society

Fickle

Someone who changes their mind quickly

Romeo is fickle because he changes his mind about who he is in love with very easily

Civil unrest

Riots and protests in a city

The opening of the play shows civil unrest when the Montagues and Capulets fight in the street

Resolution

The ending of something

The resolution of the play shows the two families settling their differences

Predicament

A difficult situation

Juliet finds herself in a predicament when she is forced to marry Paris even though she is already engaged to Romeo

Unease

Nervousness

The audience would feel unease during the fight between Tybalt and Romeo

Mutiny

Rebelling against the people in charge

“From ancient grudge break to new mutiny” means that an old fight carries on into today

Courtly Love

A term from medieval books meaning a knight falling in love with a noble rich woman, but the woman doesn’t love him back

Romeo and Rosaline’s relationship is an example of courtly love

Adversity

Difficulties or challenges people face

Romeo and Juliet’s relationship is filled with adversity because of their families fighting constantly

Tragedy

A play with an unhappy ending, particularly with the downfall of the main character

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy

Honour

Someone’s reputation for being right and trustworthy

Tybalt has to duel Romeo to defend his honour

Duelling

Fighting to the death with swords

Fate

How things happen outside a person’s control, often already decided by a supernatural power

The phrase “star crossed lovers” shows us that it is fate that Romeo and Juliet will be together

Free Will

The ability to make your own choices and decide what to do with your life

The characters in Romeo and Juliet do not have free will as their destiny has already been decided

2 of 2

Your Essay

Introduction: Introduce the play, the author, a brief explanation of what the extract is about and your main argument (your overall answer to the question)

Aim for 3/4 paragraphs: you will need to think of three ways the theme has been presented and find quote for each. Learn the sentence starters at the bottom of this page

Conclusion: Sum up your key points and express your opinion. Try to link your ideas the wider society or female stereotypes.

Writing your analytical paragraphs:

What: In the extract, _______ is presented as …

Quote: This can be seen in the quote‘…’

How: The (metaphor/verb/word etc) ‘___’ suggests…

Why: In addition, the write maybe emphasising…

Alternatively, Shakespeare could be insinuating…

The reader understands how…

What: Furthermore, ________ is presented as…

Quote:_______

(Repeat)

Capulets

Montagues

Juliet

Romeo

Lord Capulet (Juliet’s father)

Lord Montague (Romeo’s father)

Lady Capulet (Juliet’s mother)

Lady Montague (Romeo’s mother)

Tybalt (cousin)

Benvolio (cousin)

Paris (suitor)

Mercutio (best friend)

Nurse (cared for Juliet since she was young)

Friar (Romeo’s confidant)