Activity Overview
Themes, symbols, and motifs are valuable aspects of any literary work, and they add richness to stories. Part of the Common Core ELA standards is to introduce and explain these complex concepts. However, abstract ideas are often difficult for students to analyze without assistance. Using a storyboard, students can visually demonstrate their understanding of these concepts, and master analysis of literary elements. For best practices, see our supplementary article with specific lesson plan steps on setting up your classroom and activities to teach themes, symbols, and motifs.
As a classroom activity, students could track the rich symbolism William Shakespeare uses throughout the play. In the example storyboard above, the creator has focused on the particular use of light and dark imagery in the play. Although generally light is seen as good and dark is seen as evil, the roles are reversed for these young lovers. This may be because their love must remain hidden, and darkness conceals their secret, making the darkness good.
Themes and Ideas to Discuss
Love Causing Violence
Throughout the play, the actions of the impetuous and rash lovers cause misfortune, often leading to the death of other characters, and eventually, themselves.
Individuals vs. Society
In much of the play, Romeo and Juliet struggle to be together against external forces. They have an ‘us against the world’ mentality, defying their families and the Prince of Verona.
Fate
The idea that our lives are not controlled by chance, but rather by a predetermined fate, keeps the audience in suspense. In the end, a series of coincidences leads to the tragic death of the star-crossed lovers.
Motifs and Imagery to Look For
Light/Darkness
Darkness concealing the lovers' relationship adds to the play's urgency and drama. Romeo and Juliet are the only light in each other's life.
Dreams
In the play, the idea that dreams are only fantasies is most notable in Mercutio’s "Queen Mab" speech. Romeo, the dreamer, quickly falls hopelessly in love. Mercutio can’t help but create a satire around this idea.
Poison
Early in the play, Friar Lawrence remarks that everything has its purpose and that certain things are only made evil by human hands. Specifically, he means the poison that will make Juliet appear dead although she is merely asleep. However, Romeo visits an apothecary and buys a lethal poison that ends his life.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, and motifs in Romeo and Juliet. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify the theme(s) from Romeo and Juliet you wish to include and replace the "Theme 1" text.
- Create an image for an example that represents this theme.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
- Add cells as needed.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/1] Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
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[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/10] By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Theme(s), Symbol(s), and/or Motif(s) | All themes are correctly identified as important recurring topics or messages in the story. Symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. Motifs are correctly identified as important recurring features or ideas in the story. | Most themes are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. Some motifs are correctly identified, but others are missing or incomplete. | Most themes are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. Most motifs are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No themes, symbols, or motifs are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motifs that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s), and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for theme(s), symbol(s), and/or motif(s) are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How to Teach Themes, Symbols, and Motifs Through Debate and Argumentative Writing
Introduction to Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Begin by reviewing the concepts of themes, symbols, and motifs in literature. Provide an overview of the key themes, symbols, and motifs in Romeo and Juliet. Explain the importance of critical thinking and argumentation skills in literary analysis.
Assigning Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific theme, symbol, or motif from Romeo and Juliet. Provide students with guidelines on how to research, analyze, and prepare arguments regarding their assigned element. Explain the debate format and rules, including opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments.
Debate Preparation and Execution
Guide each group in preparing their arguments and counterarguments. Facilitate practice debates among the groups to refine their arguments and public speaking skills. Provide feedback on the clarity and strength of their arguments.
Reflection and Argumentative Writing
Lead a class discussion after the debates, encouraging students to reflect on what they've learned about the themes, symbols, and motifs in Romeo and Juliet. Introduce the argumentative writing assignment, where each student will choose one of the themes, symbols, or motifs from the debates and write an individual essay defending their chosen element's significance in the play.
Frequently Asked Questions about Romeo and Juliet Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
What are some suggested worksheet exercises that guide students in recognizing and summarizing key instances of the play's themes, symbols, and motifs as they appear in each act?
Worksheet exercises could include having students identify and summarize key instances of themes, symbols, and motifs in each act. For example, students might create a chart where they list instances of the theme of love, the symbol of light and dark, and the motif of time in each act. They can then write brief summaries or explanations for each instance to deepen their understanding of how these elements develop throughout the play.
How is the theme of death explored in the play, and what does it signify in the context of the story?
The theme of death in "Romeo and Juliet" is explored through various tragic events. The deaths of characters like Mercutio, Tybalt, and ultimately, Romeo and Juliet, symbolize the consequences of unchecked violence and hatred. These deaths signify the high cost of the feuding between the Montagues and Capulets. Additionally, Romeo and Juliet's deaths, as "star-crossed lovers," highlight the play's exploration of fate and the inevitability of certain outcomes.
How do masks and disguises function as motifs that reveal the characters' true identities and motivations?
Masks and disguises serve as motifs that reveal the characters' true identities and motivations. For instance, Juliet's masked appearance at the Capulet ball allows her to meet and fall in love with Romeo, demonstrating that disguises can lead to unexpected connections. Similarly, Romeo's use of a mask when he sneaks into the Capulet garden signifies his willingness to defy societal norms to be with Juliet. These motifs highlight the theme of hidden identities and the characters' willingness to take risks for love.
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