Romeo & Juliet Lesson 19: Romeo and the Nurse - PowerPoint

In Lesson 19 of a series on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", the focus is on enhancing students' knowledge and understanding of two pivotal characters: Romeo and the Nurse. The lesson objectives are twofold: firstly, to delve into the personalities and attributes of these characters, and secondly, to analyse Shakespeare's strategic use of poetry and prose to depict their traits. Students are encouraged to consider their initial impressions of the Nurse and to articulate their thoughts using specific words or phrases that accurately describe her.

The lesson continues with an exploration of the Nurse's interactions, particularly a scene where she speaks with Romeo and is teased by Mercutio. Students are prompted to examine the Nurse's reaction to Mercutio's mockery and to analyse the language she employs in her retort. This analysis aims to uncover deeper insights into her character. Furthermore, the lesson examines the Nurse's manner of speaking to Romeo, questioning whether she uses verse or prose and the implications of each form. Students are tasked with reflecting on the broader use of verse and prose throughout the play, identifying examples of each and discussing why Shakespeare might have chosen different speech forms for particular scenes or characters.