Romeo and Juliet

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In this eight-week unit, students will be introduced to Shakespeare through a brief selection of his sonnets and the play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. This unit will culminate in a test, which includes an essay prompt focusing on the role of fate, chance, and free will in Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. Additional resources include Shakespeare in Love (film), Sonnets 18, 116, Pyramus and Thisbe, informational text drawn from The New York Times, or similar publications; The Atlantic, or similar publications; or TED Talks, or similar web resources focusing on fate, chance, free will; love and/or passion; anger and/or revenge.


Essential Questions

  • How and to what extent are fate, chance, and/or free will responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s deaths?

  • How and to what extent does love/passion impact decision making and rational thought?

  • How and to what extent do anger and a singular focus on revenge cloud judgment?