Activity Overview
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. It is beneficial for students to understand why is considered so important. One reason is that it contains a tragic hero. This is a protagonist, typically of noble birth, destined for doom. In this play, Romeo clearly fits this description. The famous Greek philosopher, Aristotle, was the first to record the principle attributes of a tragic hero.
| ATTRIBUTE | DESCRIPTION | Example from Romeo and Juliet |
|---|---|---|
| Hamartia | Flaw in the Character | Romeo's flaw is his impulsive nature. He quickly falls in love and gets in fights. |
| Hubris | Excessive Pride | In his pride, Romeo forces Friar Lawrence to marry him and Juliet. |
| Peripeteia | Reversal of Fortune | Romeo kills Tybalt, and is banished from Verona. |
| Anagnorisis | A Moment of Critical Discovery | "Romeo, I just heard that Juliet of Verona is dead!" |
| Nemesis | Fate that Cannot be Avoided | The false poison that causes Juliet to appear dead, and the real poison that Romeo drinks to kill himself. |
| Catharsis | Audience's Feeling of Pity or Fear After the Hero's Fall | The lovers' deaths end the fighting. The families reconcile to the loss of those they love. |
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 shows how Romeo can be considered a tragic hero.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify events of the play or characteristics of Romeo that fit into Aristotelian attributes of a tragic hero.
- Illustrate examples for Hamartia, Hubris, Peripeteia, Anagnorisis, Nemesis, and Catharsis.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates Romeo as a tragic hero.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/1] Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tragic Hero Characteristics | The six tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The explanation provided explains how the scenes depict each characteristic, and shows effective analysis. | Four or five tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the elements may not be identified correctly. The explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and there is some attempt at analysis. | Two or three tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal. | One or fewer tragic hero characteristics are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the elements are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are minimal or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How to Teach Tragic Hero Motifs and Archetypes
Introduction to Tragic Hero Motifs and Archetypes
Begin by defining the terms "tragic hero," "motif," and "archetype." Provide an overview of the characteristics that define a tragic hero, such as noble birth, tragic flaw, and reversal of fortune. Explain how tragic hero motifs and archetypes appear in literature and drama.
Analyzing Romeo as a Tragic Hero
Focus on Romeo's character in "Romeo and Juliet" and guide students in analyzing how he embodies the characteristics of a tragic hero. Encourage students to reference specific scenes, actions, and decisions that highlight Romeo's tragic hero status. Discuss how Romeo's character aligns with the classical tragic hero archetype.
Comparative Analysis of Tragic Heroes
Present students with examples of tragic heroes from other literary works or drama. Engage students in a comparative analysis, exploring how these characters share or differ from the tragic hero archetype. Discuss the concept of universality in tragic hero motifs and archetypes.
Creative Writing and Presentation
Assign a creative writing project where students create a modern interpretation of a tragic hero. Provide guidelines for the project, including the incorporation of key tragic hero motifs and archetypes. Explain the presentation format for sharing their modern tragic hero stories.
Frequently Asked Questions about Romeo as a Tragic Hero
What are the defining characteristics of a tragic hero, and how does Romeo exemplify these traits in the play?
A tragic hero typically possesses noble qualities, has a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall, experiences a reversal of fortune, recognizes their fate, and evokes feelings of pity and fear in the audience. Romeo exemplifies these traits in "Romeo and Juliet" as a character of noble birth who possesses a tragic flaw, his impulsiveness. His hasty decisions and impulsive actions, such as his quick love for Juliet and the duel with Tybalt, lead to tragic consequences. These actions result in a reversal of his fortune, as he is banished from Verona and separated from Juliet. Romeo is keenly aware of the role of fate in his life, often referring to being "star-crossed." His tragic journey evokes feelings of pity and fear in the audience, as they empathize with his character's impetuous nature.
What are the defining characteristics of a tragic hero, and how does Romeo exemplify these traits in the play?
The defining characteristics of a tragic hero include noble qualities, a tragic flaw, a reversal of fortune, a recognition of fate, and the evocation of pity and fear. In "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo, a member of the noble Montague family, possesses these qualities. His tragic flaw, impulsiveness, leads to his hasty decisions and impulsive actions, such as falling in love with Juliet quickly and engaging in a fatal duel with Tybalt. These actions result in a reversal of his fortune, leading to his banishment and separation from Juliet. Romeo is acutely aware of the role of fate in his life, often referring to being "star-crossed." His tragic journey evokes feelings of pity and fear in the audience, who empathize with his impetuous nature.
How can storyboards and worksheets be employed to help students understand and visually represent the traits of a tragic hero in the context of Romeo's character?
Storyboards and worksheets can help students understand and visually represent Romeo's characteristics as a tragic hero. Students can create visual representations of key scenes, such as Romeo's impulsive decisions, his nobility, the moment of reversal in his fortune, and his recognition of fate. Worksheets can guide students in summarizing and analyzing these characteristics in the context of the play, encouraging them to think critically about how Romeo embodies the traits of a tragic hero. This visual and analytical approach aids in a deeper comprehension of Romeo's character and his role in the tragic narrative.
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Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
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