This online masterclass is specifically designed for GCSE and Year 10 students studying William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The course covers essential aspects of the play, helping students grasp its core themes, characters, and language, while also preparing them for exam success. By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of the play’s key elements and how to apply them in their essays and assessments.
Ideal as an introduction or as a revision.
-
Plot and Structure:
A detailed examination of the play’s five acts, focusing on how the tragic love story unfolds.
Discussion of Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony and how the play’s structure builds tension.
Key turning points in the play, including the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, the secret marriage, Mercutio’s death, and the tragic conclusion.
Themes:
Love vs. Hate: Analysis of the central theme of romantic love contrasted with family feud and hatred.
Fate and Destiny: Exploration of the idea of "star-crossed lovers" and how fate influences the characters' lives and decisions.
Youth and Conflict: The role of impulsive youth, rebellion, and the clash between individual desires and social/familial expectations.
Death and Tragedy: Understanding how death permeates the play and its role in the final tragedy.
Character Analysis:
In-depth study of major characters like Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Tybalt, Friar Lawrence, and the Nurse.
Discussion on the development of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship and the contrasting personalities of other key figures.
Examination of supporting characters and how they contribute to the central conflict and themes.
Language and Literary Devices:
Exploration of Shakespeare’s use of poetic language, including the sonnet form in the dialogue between Romeo and Juliet.
Understanding of key literary devices such as metaphor, simile, oxymoron, and dramatic irony.
Analyzing important quotes and passages, including the prologue, balcony scene, and moments of conflict.
Historical and Social Context:
Understanding the social norms of Elizabethan society and their influence on the themes of marriage, family, and honor.
Exploring the significance of Verona as the play’s setting and how societal expectations impact the characters’ decisions.
Exam Preparation and Essay Writing:
Techniques for analyzing exam questions and structuring essays with strong introductions, clear arguments, and thoughtful conclusions.
Practice with sample questions, model answers, and guidance on using textual evidence effectively.
Tips on time management and responding to both character and theme-based questions.
-
Format: Online interactive session with opportunities for discussion and questions.
Duration: 1 hour with a follow-up Q&A session.
Suitable for: Students preparing for GCSE English Literature, particularly those in Year 10 and Year 11.
-
This masterclass is an essential opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the text and enhance their skills ahead of exams. Engage with the text in a meaningful way to gain confidence in discussing its complexities within an academic framework.