Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 7 English Guides

Year 7 - English

Comparing the Shakespearean theatre experience with modern theatre

'The Tempest'

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the plot and characters of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', and read sections of the play. They explore how Prospero treats Ariel, Caliban and Miranda, and write monlogues from their perspectives. Finally, they write and perform their own monologues inspired by the play.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand and compare attitudes towards the theatre.

Key Notes

  • Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe, which was and still is playing, at the South Bank in London
  • The South Bank was full of improper activities, such as animal fighting, drinking and the theatre
  • Some people, particularly Puritans, thought the theatre was immoral
  • Going to the Globe in Shakespeare's time would have been a noisy, riotous affair
  • Going to the theatre now is different because the audience is much more polite and quiet

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Theatre: A theatre is a building where people can watch a performance or other kind of entertainment.
  • Improper: Improper means something unsuitable or socially unacceptable.
  • Riotous: Something riotous is something very loud and uncontrolled, and full of energy.
  • Puritan: A puritan is a person who is strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so.
  • Immoral: Something immoral is something outside of society's standards of acceptable, honest, and moral behaviour.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That the modern experience of going to the theatre is the same as in Shakespearean times.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe, which was and still is playing, at the South Bank in London. The South Bank was full of improper activities, such as animal fighting, drinking and the theatre.

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

A theatre is a building where people can watch a performance or other kind of entertainment.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That the modern experience of going to the theatre is the same as in Shakespearean times. Correction: The experience was very different - the modern theatre experience is quiet and respectful while the Shakespearean experience was riotous.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.