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Year 11 - English

'Romeo and Juliet': Juliet's agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2

Romeo and Juliet: Juliet and female agency

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the presentation of Juliet's agency in 'Romeo and Juliet'. After recapping Juliet's character and conceptualising agency, they look at five scenes through the prism of Juliet's agency. At the end, they learn how to use tentative language to write about female agency.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain Juliet's agency in Act 1, Scene 5 and Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Key Notes

  • Arguably, the stage directions in Act 1, Scene 5 show Romeo taking control of the exchange with Juliet.
  • Potentially, we might see Juliet as taking both a passive and active role in Act 1, Scene 5.
  • Juliet's language in Act 2, Scene 2 arguably shows her dictating the terms of her relationship with Romeo.
  • By bringing up the subject of marriage, Juliet is arguably showing agency in the relationship.
  • Stage directions can affect how we perceive power dynamics and relationships between characters.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • agency: the capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices
  • passive: not acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in control
  • dictating: to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That women always took a passive role in relationships in the Elizabethan era.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

Arguably, the stage directions in Act 1, Scene 5 show Romeo taking control of the exchange with Juliet. Potentially, we might see Juliet as taking both a passive and active role in Act 1, Scene 5.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'agency'

the capacity of an individual to act independently from others and to make their own free choices.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That women always took a passive role in relationships in the Elizabethan era. Correction: Arguably, Juliet takes an active role in her relationship with Romeo.

More Lessons In This Unit

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