In this activity, students will capture the concept of the Five Act Structure by creating a six cell storyboard that illustrates key events in each act. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the acts in order: Prologue, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement.
Like a modern day movie trailer, the prologue for The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet gives the audience a preview of events to come, and give us insight into the characters, setting, and background.
Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
The two lovers meet but cannot be together because of their families' long feud.
After crashing the Capulet party, Tybalt goes after the Montague crew and kills Mercutio. To avenge his friend, Romeo duels with and kills Tybalt - Juliet's cousin. Romeo is banished, but before he goes he gives Juliet a proper wedding night!
Juliet's father requests that she marries Count Paris. However, to escape a second wedding she and Friar Lawrence concoct a plan to make it appear as if she dies. By taking a sleeping potion!
The conclusion of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet culminates with the Friar's version of the lovers' story. Friar Lawrence and the Nurse expound the truth to the Prince, the Capulets, and to the Montagues. In the resolution, the sad tone and moral of the story is evident as the two families agree to reconcile and erect monuments in the lovers' honor.
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Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of Romeo and Juliet.
Teacher Activity: Start the lesson by briefly introducing the concept of the Five Act structure, its importance in storytelling, and its relevance to Romeo and Juliet. Use visual aids, such as diagrams or slides, to illustrate the structure and its key components. Engage students in a discussion about the structure of plays and how it differs from other forms of literature.
Teacher Activity: Provide students with copies of Romeo and Juliet and explain that you will be applying the Five Act structure to the play. Read and discuss Act 1 with the students, highlighting the key elements of introduction, setting, and conflict. Encourage students to actively participate in the discussion, pointing out elements they recognize from the structure.
Teacher Activity: Continue reading and discussing Acts 2 and 3 of Romeo and Juliet, exploring how the plot and characters develop within each act. Facilitate discussions about the rising action, climax, and complications, helping students connect these elements to the Five Act structure.
Teacher Activity: Guide students in applying their understanding of the Five Act structure to create projects or assessments. This could include writing essays, making presentations, or creating storyboards. Offer examples and templates for these projects and explain the assessment criteria. Encourage creativity and original thinking while adhering to the Five Act structure.
Worksheet activities can include timelines where students list and describe significant events in each act, creating a visual overview of the play's progression. They can also complete tables or charts that focus on act-specific turning points, character interactions, and thematic developments. By summarizing these events, students gain a clearer understanding of the play's structure and narrative flow.
Storyboards provide students with a visual tool to break down the play's key scenes and character development. Each panel can represent a specific event or moment, helping students see the story's progression in a visual format. This can aid in recognizing how the plot and characters evolve over time, allowing for a deeper understanding of the play's nuances and themes.
Romeo and Juliet's love evolves from initial infatuation to profound commitment. In Act 1, they experience love at first sight, driven by physical attraction. Act 2 shows their growing emotional connection during the famous balcony scene. Act 3 brings the challenges of Tybalt's death and Romeo's banishment. In Act 4, their love intensifies as they are willing to risk everything to be together, and Act 5 witnesses their tragic end. By tracking their relationship through the acts, students can explore the complexities of love, passion, and the obstacles they face.