Starter quiz
- Put the events of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in chronological order.
- 1⇔Romeo and Juliet fall in love and marry in secret.
- 2⇔Tybalt kills Mercutio in a duel.
- 3⇔Romeo is banished from Verona.
- 4⇔Lord Capulet insists that Juliet will marry Count Paris.
- 5⇔Juliet fakes her own death.
- 6⇔Romeo and Juliet take their own lives.
- In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', what is the Prince's reaction to the street fight between the Montagues and Capulets in Act 1, Scene 1?
- He calls for his long sword to join in the fight.
- He demands that the violence must stop. ✓
- He blames the Montagues for the fight and banishes Romeo.
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- In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo and Juliet are doing which of the following by marrying each other in secret?
- subverting societal expectations ✓
- conforming to societal expectations
- following their individual desires ✓
- acting in a way to benefit their families
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- 'Behave in line with socially acceptable conventions or standards' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
- 'conform' ✓
- In Elizabethan England, which of the following statements are true of how individuality was seen?
- individuals were seen as unique
- individuals were seen as autonomous
- individuals were seen as part of a social network ✓
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- 'The ability to make your own decisions about what to do' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
- 'autonomy' ✓
Exit quiz
- In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', which of the following does the Prince arguably represent?
- parental control
- rule of law ✓
- religion
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- 'The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues' is the definition of the ______ quo.
- 'status' ✓
- In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', which of the following does the feud potentially represent?
- the influence of religion
- the rule of law
- the status quo ✓
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- Complete the sentence: 'Shakespeare's plays often __________ the status quo.'
- subvert
- challenge
- maintain ✓
- ignore
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- 'A social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
- 'individualism' ✓
- Which of the following does the feud arguably do in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'?
- demonstrate family loyalty ✓
- subvert male stereotypes
- challenge social hierarchies
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Romeo and Juliet's secret marriage creates a conflict between individual desire and traditional authority.
- We also arguably see the rule of law and religion being challenged by individual desire.
- Potentially, the feud serves to preserve the status quo that is threatened by individualism.
- Shakespeare's depiction of individualism may represent Elizabethan anxiety about the social cost of individualism.
Common misconception
Individuality is always celebrated in literature.
Arguably, Shakespeare could be seen as demonstrating the consequences of individuality through 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Keywords
Individualism - a social theory favouring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control
Autonomy - the ability to make your own decisions about what to do
Status quo - the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issue
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