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Year 11 - English

'Romeo and Juliet': exploring the relationship between adults and adolescents

Romeo and Juliet: the tragedy of societal expectations

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the tragedy of societal expectations in 'Romeo and Juliet'. They look at the problem through a range of different prisms, including the tension between individualism and the status quo. They plan and write an essay on Shakespeare's presentation of societal expectations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explore the societal expectations around adolescent behaviour and parental control in 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Key Notes

  • Arguably, Shakespeare suggests that adolescence was associated with impulsiveness in Elizabethan England.
  • Therefore, we might suggest that the tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet' was in part due to societal expectations of youth.
  • Shakespeare presents parental relationships as distant and separate from their children.
  • Potentially, we might see Shakespeare as questioning ideas of parental control and children's obedience.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • stereotype: a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like
  • societal expectations: the beliefs and norms that a society holds about how individuals should behave and act
  • adolescent: (of a young person) in the process of developing from a child into an adult
  • impulsive: showing behaviour in which you do things suddenly without any planning
  • autonomy: the ability to make your own decisions about what to do

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That parents have always taken their children's wishes into account.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Arguably, Shakespeare suggests that adolescence was associated with impulsiveness in Elizabethan England. Therefore, we might suggest that the tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet' was in part due to societal expectations of youth.

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

a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That parents have always taken their children's wishes into account. Correction: In Elizabethan England, children were expected to act in a way that would benefit their family through work or marriage.

More Lessons In This Unit

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