Worksheet 1.

2: Introduction to Romeo and Juliet

Crash Course: Romeo and Juliet (Part 1)

After viewing the Crash Course video on Romeo and Juliet, answer the following questions. All answers
can be found in the video.

1. What sources did Shakespeare draw upon in writing his version of Romeo and Juliet?

2. How was Shakespeare’s version of Romeo and Juliet different to the story his sources told? Why
did Shakespeare choose to make certain changes?

3. Is Romeo and Juliet an endorsement of following your heart? Why not?

4. How does Shakespeare draw upon Italian and Catholic stereotypes in the play?

5. Why did Shakespeare set the play in Verona, Italy? What big political questions was
Shakespeare asking in this play, and why might these have caused tension if he set the play in
England?

6. What makes Romeo and Juliet an aristotelian tragedy?

7. Why are star-crossed lovers such a popular trope in stories?

8. What is iambic pentameter?

9. Why does Shakespeare use iambic pentameter in Romeo and Juliet? Provide an example of
Shakespeare using/not-using iambic pentameter to convey a deeper meaning in the play.
 10. How was Shakespeare’s theater different from our contemporary associations of theaters and
entertainment today?

11. How did this impact the way in which Shakespeare wrote his plays?

Extension
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates tension between family tradition, loyalty to the crown and
personal feelings in order to question which of these things is of most importance to an individual and
society. Could Shakespeare’s decision to write a play which asks these questions be considered going
against the grain? Why or why not?

Romeo and Juliet go against the grain because they choose to be loyal first to their feelings rather than
family tradition or the crown/state. Does Shakespeare seem to be encouraging the audience to make a
similar decision and choose loyalty to the self? Why or why not?