ROMEO & JULIET GCSE: Shakespeare made Easy

1. Introduction to the Course: Romeo and Juliet is a play written by the English playwright William Shakespeare. It was published for the first time in 1597.  It was written early in his career about the romance between two Italian young people from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers.

2. What's the Story? Sketching the Narrative

3. Who are the Characters? Sketching the Main Characters

4. What are the Major Themes? Outlining ten major themes

5. What is the Structure of the Play? Outlining the Structure

6. Considering Themes: Love, Fate and Light

7. Exam Question: CONFLICT

8. TOPIC: Conflict in Romeo and Juliet

9. Exam Question: GENDER ROLES

10. Exam Question: JUSTICE

11. Exam Question: INTERFERENCE AND BLAME

12. TOPIC: The role of Friar Lawrence

13. A Final Word: How does the play end?:

The feuding families and the Prince meet at the tomb to find all three dead. Friar Laurence recounts the story of the two "star-cross'd lovers", fulfilling the curse that Mercutio swore. The families are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to end their violent feud. The play ends with the Prince's elegy for the lovers: "For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."