Romeo & Juliet Lesson 31: The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet - PowerPoint

The lesson plan titled 'The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet' delves into the tragic conclusion of Shakespeare's renowned play. It aims to deepen students' understanding of Shakespeare's use of language by analysing Romeo's final moments. Pupils are encouraged to explore the emotional depth of Romeo's last speech, where he discovers Juliet's seemingly lifeless body. The lesson prompts students to identify the various images of death Romeo invokes and to discuss how he personifies death throughout his soliloquy. They are asked to consider which images are most potent and why, encouraging a critical examination of Shakespeare's poetic techniques.

Juliet's death is also scrutinised, with a particular focus on the brevity of her final words compared to Romeo's lengthy farewell. The lesson questions the significance of this disparity and how Shakespeare uses language to express Juliet's emotions. Students are invited to find parallels between the imagery used in both Romeo and Juliet's speeches and to trace these motifs back to their origins earlier in the play. In addition to these text-specific inquiries, the lesson includes broader questions about the narrative, such as Romeo's mood shifts in Act Five, the lack of communication about Friar Lawrence's plan, and the actions of other characters. Pupils are also tasked with creative writing, such as composing Romeo's letter to his father and articulating Friar Lawrence's 'police statement' to demonstrate their understanding of the play's dramatic events.