51ºÚÁÏ

How do stories shape our understanding of the world and ourselves?

This lesson explores Act 1, Scene 4-5 of Romeo and Juliet, focusing on the Capulet ball, Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting, and the rising tension with Tybalt. Through structured discussion and textual analysis, students will examine themes of love at first sight, fate vs. free will, and family loyalty vs. personal desire.

• Full Lesson Plan – A structured guide with clear objectives and activities.
• Interactive Starter Task – Students vote on statements about love at first sight to spark discussion on how Shakespeare’s portrayal compares to modern perspectives.
• Act 1, Scene 4-5 Video Viewing – A performance of the scene to aid comprehension.
• Close Reading Task – A 10-minute text analysis, followed by a written summary to consolidate understanding.
• Socratic Circle Discussion – A guided discussion exploring key themes:
  • Love & Family Loyalty – How does Romeo’s attraction to Juliet challenge his allegiance to his family?
  • Fate vs. Free Will – Is Romeo’s love for Juliet destiny or impulsive action?
  • Foreshadowing & Imagery – How does Shakespeare use dreams, religious metaphors, and dramatic contrasts to set the tone?
• Exit Task – Students summarise how Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting sets up the central conflict of the play in a single sentence.

• Analytical thinking and literary interpretation
• Discussion and debate through Socratic dialogue
• Understanding of dramatic structure and imagery in Shakespearean text
• Making connections between Elizabethan and modern portrayals of love

This lesson is ideal for GCSE English teachers looking to help students critically engage with Shakespeare’s themes while making real-world connections.

Find Lesson 1 and the full bundle in my TES resources for a structured approach to Romeo and Juliet.

Download now to explore Shakespeare’s portrayal of love, fate, and conflict.

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