Romeo & Juliet Lesson 27: Act 4 - PowerPoint

In Lesson 27, focusing on Act 4 of Shakespeare's tragic play "Romeo and Juliet", students delve into the complexities of character development and the Bard's masterful use of language. The lesson begins with a reading of the conversation between Juliet and Paris, where Juliet's cryptic words hint at one of the play's key themes. Students are encouraged to interpret Juliet's dialogue and consider its deeper significance in relation to the unfolding drama. This exercise sets the stage for a more nuanced exploration of the characters' emotions and intentions through their interactions.

As the lesson progresses, the contrast between Juliet's conversations with Paris and her intimate exchanges with Romeo is examined. Through analysing the structure and language of their dialogue, students gain insight into how Shakespeare conveys the feelings of each character to the audience. The lesson also touches upon the societal expectations of women in Elizabethan times, as reflected in Paris' presumption of ownership over Juliet's face, and invites students to consider the implications of this within the context of the play. To deepen their understanding, students are tasked with completing sentences that summarise the events of Act 4 and the emotional states of Paris and Juliet. Additionally, they are asked to step into Juliet's shoes and write a diary entry following the events of Act 4, Scene 1, allowing them to express the character's inner turmoil and thoughts in a personal and creative manner.