1. Example lesson 5: Presentation of masculinity in Romeo and Juliet
Lucy Strike, William Ellis School

2. Presentation of masculinity in Romeo and Juliet
KQ: How do Shakespeare’s characters challenge or support ideas of masculinity?
Starter:
Who is the most masculine male character? Who is the least masculine male character?
Lord Capulet, Lord Montague, Benvolio, Tybalt, Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, Romeo,

3. What makes a man?
How do you think Shakespeare would define ‘masculinity’?
Shakespeare might argue that being masculine …..
(make a link to a specific moment in the play so far or a key quotation you have written down)

4. Friar Lawrence’s ‘words of wisdom’
Romeo says:
Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say 'death',
For exile hath more terror in his look,
Much more than death. Do not say 'banishment‘
Romeo would rather death than banishment. How do you think Friar Lawrence should advise Romeo?
Discuss with your table and be ready to share your ideas.
I believe that Friar Lawrence should tell Romeo to …

5. Noble Digressing Valour Denote Unseemly Activity
These words appear in Friar Lawrence’s speech to Romeo.
Which ones do you know? Speak to your partner and see if you can define them in your book.
Noble
Digressing
Valour
Denote
Unseemly
Synonyms
Belonging to aristocracy / having high morals
Moving away from / straying
Courage / Bravery
Represent / means
Inappropriate / unsuitable

6. Friar Lawrence’s response to Romeo’s wish rather to die than be banished
Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,
Digressing from the valour of man
Thy tears are womanish, thy wild acts denote
the unreasonable fury of a beast
What does this tell you about Friar Lawrence’s attitudes about what it means to be a 'man‘?
Unseemly woman in a seeming man
And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!
Fie, fie, thou sham'st thy shape, thy love, thy wit

7. Friar Lawrence’s response to Romeo’s wish rather to die than be banished
Thy noble shape is but a form of wax,
Digressing from the valour of man
Thy tears are womanish, thy wild acts denote
the unreasonable fury of a beast
What does this tell you about Friar Lawrence’s attitudes about what it means to be a 'man‘?
But, like a mishaved and sullen wrench
Thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love
Like powder in a skilless soldier's flask
Is set afire by thine own ignorance
Fie, fie, thou sham'st thy shape, thy love, thy wit
Unseemly woman in a seeming man
And ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!
Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury,
Killing that love which thou hast vowed to cherish

8. Active Reading Act 3, scene 3 p. 111
Friar: student 1
Nurse: student 2
Romeo: teacher
Look out for Romeo’s reactions to the Friar.
What specific action makes the Friar question his masculinity?

9. KQ: How do Shakespeare’s characters challenge or support ideas of masculinity?
What do we think Shakespeare wanted his audience to think about different views of masculinity?
Think about the most ‘masculine’ characters or actions so far.