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English 8
Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare Web Quest

Activity 1: William Shakespeare: An Introduction to His Life
Directions: Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/william_shakespeare then read the
biography on Shakespeare below and try to complete the missing information.
Shakespeare was born in __________ __________ __________ in Warwickshire. His father was a
_________merchant and _________ maker. It is believed he schooled locally at __________
__________ ________ Grammar School.
At 18, he celebrated his marriage to _________ _________. They married in _________ and, in total, had
_________ children together. Firstly, _________ and, then, _________ Hamnet and Judith. Sadly,
Hamnet died at the age of _________.
As well as being a playwright, Shakespeare was also an _________ and was one of the managing partners in
Lord Chamberlains Theatre Company, later renamed the Kings Company. Shakespeare wrote his first poems,
__________ __________ __________ and The Rape of Lucrece between _________and _________.
As a playwright, Shakespeare was _________ and, from 1594 to 1611, he wrote about _________ plays per
_________. Most of his early plays were ____________ and ____________. Due to his increased
success, in _________ Shakespeare was able to move upmarket to Silver Street. It was here he wrote King
Lear, Macbeth, Othello and his classic play ________________________.
The final years of his life were spent in __________ __________ in Stratford. He died aged _________
on 23rd April 1616. He famously left his __________ __________ bed to his wife, Anne Hathaway. The
reason for this is unknown.
Activity 2: The Plot of Romeo and Juliet
Directions: Read the following statements about Shakespeares classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Some are
true and others are false. Research each of the following proclamations and write whether the statement is true
or false on the line provided next to the number.
Introduction
_____ 1. The plot of Romeo and Juliet is based on a French tale.
_____ 2. Shakespeare created the supporting characters Mercutio and Paris.
_____ 3. The play is believed to have been written between 1581 and 1585.
Synopsis
_____ 4. The play is set in Venice, Italy.
_____ 5. It begins with a street fight between the Montagues and Capulets.

_____ 6. Romeo first sees Juliet at a ball in the Montague house.

_____ 7. With the help of Benvolio, they are secretly married the next day.
_____ 8. Romeo kills Juliets cousin, Tybalt, in revenge for his killing Romeos close friend and ally, Mercutio.
_____ 9. For the execution, Romeo is exiled from Verona.
_____ 10. Before he leaves, he secretly spends the night with Juliet.
_____ 11. Juliets mother offers her a drug that will put her into a coma for two and forty hours on the night
before her planned wedding to Paris.
_____ 12. When she is found, she is believed to be dead.
_____ 13. Romeo buys a gun to kill himself when he hears the news.
_____ 14. At the crypt where Juliets body has been laid, Romeo is met by Paris.
_____ 15. He kills him before drinking the poison.
_____ 16. When Juliet awakens from her deep sleep, she realizes Romeo is dead and, panicking, she runs
away.
Activity 3: Boy Players
Directions: Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_player and find out about boy players by reading the
Boys in Adult Companies section. Then, answer the questions below.
1. When did it become permissible for women to perform in the theatre?

2. Was there an official law against female actors?

3. Why were adolescent boys used to play female roles?

4. Did boys also play the complex lead female roles?

5. What kinds of roles did actor John Honyman play?

Activity 4: Shakespearean Language Still Used Today

Directions: Choose your favorite Shakespearean expression from the list on the following website:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/phrases-sayings-shakespeare.html
Once youve chosen your favorite expression, write it in the space below. Then, explain what the phrase means.