Romeo & Juliet Lesson 5: The Prologue - Extension Task

The tasks outlined for a deeper understanding of the Prologue in Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" encourage students to analyse key aspects of the play's introduction. Firstly, students are asked to consider what the Prologue reveals about the two feuding families central to the drama. They must then reflect on the fate of the two lovers, whose tragic end is famously foreshadowed in these opening lines. The Prologue also provides insights into the ultimate resolution of the family conflict, and students are prompted to discuss these outcomes.

Additionally, the exercise asks students to identify the use of contrasts and opposites within the Prologue, such as 'ancient grudge' versus 'new mutiny' or 'civil blood' versus 'civil hands'. This leads to a discussion on why Shakespeare might have employed such stark dichotomies, prompting students to think about the themes of conflict and duality within the play. The rhyming scheme of the Prologue is also to be examined, with students identifying its structured form as a sonnet and considering why this poetic style is fitting for the play's introduction. Students are to explore the language techniques used in specific lines, focusing on the powerful imagery that Shakespeare crafts. Finally, the task of writing a blurb aimed at a teenage audience requires students to synthesise their understanding of the Prologue into an engaging and relevant summary for new readers.