Romeo and Juliet: Revision Guide

Overview

• Provides comprehensive resources for studying William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
• Six structured sessions designed to cover different aspects of the play.

Session Breakdown

Session 1: Scene Cards & Structure

• Focus: Understanding the play’s structure and setting.
• Activities Include:
  • Creating scene cards for all acts and scenes.
  • Completing structure tables to map key events.
  • Analyzing audience engagement and structural devices.

Session 2: Character Analysis

• Focus: Deep dive into character development.
• Activities Include:
  • Completing character maps and cards.
  • Collecting and analyzing key quotes for main characters such as Romeo, Juliet, the Nurse, Mercutio, and others.

Session 3: Themes and Symbols

• Focus: Identifying and understanding main themes and language motifs.
• Activities Include:
  • Creating theme cards for love, death, violence, fate, etc.
  • Analyzing language motifs and symbols in the play.

Session 4: Exam Preparation

• Focus: Understanding exam expectations and question types.
• Activities Include:
  • Reviewing AQA mark schemes for foundation and higher tiers.
  • Practicing with past exam questions.

Session 5: Essay Planning

• Focus: Structuring effective essay responses.
• Activities Include:
  • Developing essay plans using provided templates.
  • Writing practice essays focused on key scenes and themes.

Session 6: Exam Practice

• Focus: Applying knowledge to exam-style questions.
• Activities Include:
  • Reviewing exemplar answers for guidance.
  • Practicing timed essay writing.

Key Focus Areas

Characters

• Romeo: Passionate, impulsive, idealistic.
• Juliet: Strong-willed, principled, evolves from naive to decisive.
• The Nurse: Comedic relief, loyal but pragmatic.
• Friar Lawrence: Well-intentioned but his plans lead to tragic outcomes.

Themes

• Love vs. Hate: Central theme; explores love’s power and destructiveness.
• Fate: Destiny as a driving force.
• Family Conflict: Montagues vs. Capulets.
• Individual vs. Society: The struggle for personal freedom.

Structural Elements

• Tragedy Structure: Five-act play with rising and falling action leading to a tragic climax.
• Dramatic Irony: Audience's knowledge exceeds that of the characters.
• Language Techniques: Rich use of metaphor, simile, and personification.

Exam Strategy

• Assessment Focus: Critical interpretation, analysis of language and structure.
• Question Types: Key character, theme, scene, and audience engagement.
• Essay Tips: Plan responses, use quotations effectively, and link to Shakespeare’s intentions.

Tools for Success

• Scene and Theme Cards: Visual aids for memory retention.
• Practice Papers: Regular timed practice to enhance performance.
• Mark Scheme Familiarity: Understanding criteria for achieving high marks.