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Feud & Fury: The Rivalry Begins – Act 1, Scene 1 Analysis

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

This detailed lesson provides an in-depth analysis of Act 1, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, focusing on how Shakespeare establishes the Capulet-Montague feud and introduces key themes of honour, conflict, and misogyny. Through guided discussion and a Socratic Circle, students will critically engage with the text, examining Shakespeare’s use of language and dramatic techniques to build tension and develop character dynamics.

• Full Lesson Plan – A structured guide with clear objectives and activities.
• Starter Discussion Activity – Students reflect on and discuss key questions:
  • Why do the Capulets want to fight the Montagues?
  • How do the men speak about women in the scene?
  • What does it mean to be a “man” in this time period?
• Re-Reading Task – A 10-minute close reading of Act 1, Scene 1 in preparation for detailed analysis.
• Socratic Circle Discussion – Students participate in a structured literary discussion, using sentence starters to develop their responses and engage in deep textual analysis.
• Guidelines for Effective Discussion – Encourages students to support ideas with textual evidence, listen actively, and build on others’ points.
• Exit Task – A one-minute written summary of how Shakespeare establishes conflict in the opening scene, using textual evidence for support.

• Analytical and critical thinking through textual discussion
• Close reading and interpretation of Shakespearean language
• Understanding of honour, masculinity, and conflict in Elizabethan society
• Confidence in verbal articulation through structured discussion

This lesson is ideal for GCSE English teachers looking to engage students in meaningful textual analysis and discussion. The Socratic Circle format fosters independent thought, encouraging students to think deeply about Shakespeare’s themes and their modern relevance.

Reminder: This lesson follows the Socratic Circle Pack available with the purchase of Lesson 1. Visit my TES shop to download Lesson 1 or the full bundle for a comprehensive Romeo and Juliet teaching experience.

Download now to help students develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s themes and language.

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51���� Notice: This resource is for personal classroom use only. Redistribution, resale, or uploading to shared platforms (including school drives and VLEs not for personal classroom use) is strictly prohibited. If you need additional licences, please purchase them separately. © 2024. Revolutionary Education. All rights reserved.