Year 9 English
William Shakespeare
ROMEO & JULIET
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OR email: lis@mlc.wa.edu.au
Although William Shakespeare lived over 400 years ago his plays still influence our modern times.
References to the story of Romeo and Juliet can be seen in many aspects of our popular culture, like in this example of Taylor Swift’s single “Love Story”.
This is how the story goes…
Plot infographic [Image]. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.shmoop.com/romeo-and-juliet/summary.html
Below is a small selection of print resources that include information about the life and times of William Shakespeare and his play Romeo and Juliet. You will also be able to locate study notes and companions for the play.
Locate these using the shelf Call No indicated. You will be able to locate further items on Shakespeare’s Theatre and Romeo and Juliet on the non-fiction shelves at 792.0942 and 822.33.
William Shakespeare – Life and times
822.33B
Ashworth, L. (1997). William Shakespeare. Bath, U.K: Cherrytree Books.
This book tells the story of Shakespeare and the times he lived in.
822.33D
Claybourne, A., Treays, R., & Brooks, F. (2001). The Usborne internet-linked world of Shakespeare. London, England: Usborne.
Why is Shakespeare still so popular? Find out about how Shakespeare lived, what tricks of the trade he used, and how his works have been performed, interpreted and adapted from his lifetime right up to the present day.
822.33B
Reid, S. (2003). The life and world of William Shakespeare. Oxford: Heinemann Library.
Find out about who Shakespeare was in this brief biographical text.
822.33D
Kuiper, K. (Ed.). (2013). The life and times of William Shakespeare. New York: Britannica Educational Pub.
822.33D
Jay, R. (2000). Shakespeare : a beginner’s guide. London, England: Hodder & Stoughton.
This beginner’s guide contains the essential facts and concepts of the Bard and his work. It examines Shakespeare’s life and the times he lived in, as well as the language of the day and the themes and elements of his work. Key concepts are highlighted and explained in jargon-free language.
William Shakespeare – The theatre
822.33B
Shuter, J. (2014). Shakespeare and the theatre. London, England: Raintree.
This book outlines the world of the theatre in which William Shakespeare wrote and did business.
Romeo & Juliet: The Play (Graphic novel or Prose format)
822.33 U3
Appignanesi, R., & Shakespeare, W. (2007). Romeo and Juliet. London: Self Made Hero.
Drawing inspiration from Japan and using Shakespeare’s original texts, this series brings to life the Bard’s words. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has been brought to modern Japan, where two young lovers are caught in a bitter vendeta between their rival Yakuza families.
822.33
Deary, T., & Shakespeare, W. (2009). 10 best Shakespeare stories ever! London : Scholastic.
You can locate this book in the Lorna Dickson Library.
822.33 U3
Hinds, G., & Shakespeare, W. (2013). The most excellent and lamentable tragedy of Romeo & Juliet : a play. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Stylish graphic adaptation of the Bard’s romantic tragedy offers modern touches — including a diverse cast that underscores the story’s universality.
822.33 U3
Lisle, R., & Shakespeare, W. (2000). Romeo and Juliet. London: Hodder Children’s Books.
Aims to make the best of Shakespearean theatre accessible to a younger audience. This work presents the tragic story of the famous ‘star crossed lovers’, who are caught between their feuding families.
822.33
Matthews, A., & Ross, T. (2003). Romeo and Juliet. London: Orchard Books.
Retold using accessible language. Locate in the Lorna Dickson Library.
822.33 U3
Rosen, M., & Ray, J. (2004). Romeo & Juliet. London : Walker Books.
This is a picture book version of this most romantic of plays, retold in clear prose with original dialogue and gloss notes.
Romeo & Juliet: The Play – Analysis
822.33 U4
Bladen, V. (2010). Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare. Elsternwick, Vic. : Insight.
Insight Study Guides are written by experts and cover a range of popular literature, plays and films. Designed to provide insight and an overview about each text for students and teachers, these guides endeavour to develop knowledge and understanding rather than just provide answers and summaries.
822.33 U4
Mahoney, J., & Martin, S. (1987). Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare. Letts, London.
William Shakespeare, map of place names, understanding Romeo and Juliet, analysis chart, commentary, characters in the play, what happens in each act, coursework and preparing for the examination, studying the text.
822.33 U3
Shakespeare, W. (2003). Romeo and Juliet. New York : Spark.
Contains complete text with side-by-side plain English, a complete list of characters with descriptions and helpful commentary.
Use your keywords to search the Online Databases. Below is the relevant database for this task.
Bloom’s Literature
Here are some suggested articles available in this databases:
Carter, S. (2012). ‘Romeo and Juliet’: Critical Introduction to the Play. The Facts On File Companion to Shakespeare. Retrieved from Bloom’s Literature database.
Medici, A. G. (2012). Society and Culture in Shakespeare’s Day. The Facts On File Companion to Shakespeare. Retrieved from Bloom’s Literature database.
BBC Education. (2018 ). About Shakespeare: Audience and social attitudes. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zxgthcw#zyw3bqt
Learn about who went to the theatre in Shakespeare’s day. Includes information about class, women and other forms of Elizabethan entertainment.
BBC Education. (2018 ). About Shakespeare: Beliefs and superstitions. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zqwvg7h#zm7j2v4
Find out what people believed back in Shakespeare’s time. Includes information about religion, the Great Chain of Being, witches and the body. (Note: the video in this link doesn’t play in Australia, but the clear revision notes make this site worth visiting.)
BBC Education. (2018). About Shakespeare: Performance. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zp8v3j6#zfjgr2p
Learn about what it was like to put on a performance in Shakespeare’s day. Includes information about actors and acting companies, patronage, The Globe theatre, sound and costumes.
BBC Education. (2018). Romeo and Juliet: plot summary. Retrieved from hhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/search
This page takes you step by step through the play, helping you to identify key plot points. Includes a video to watch.
BBC Education. (2018). Romeo and Juliet: characters. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zpykjfr
Take an in-depth look at the main characters identifying their key attributes and relationships and analysing their part in the play.
BBC Education. (2018). Romeo and Juliet: themes. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2sd239
Highly recommended. Interactive. Explore the themes of love, fate and duality looking at how they affect characters and influence the story. Includes videos to watch about each of these themes.
Folger Shakespeare Library. (2014). Shakespeare’s Theater. Retrieved from http://www.folger.edu/shakespeares-theater
Read about the theatres, audiences, acting and staging.
Paradigm Education, LLC. (n.d.). My Shakespeare : Romeo and Juliet. Retreived from https://myshakespeare.com/romeo-and-juliet
Highly recommended. Interactive. This site provides a full-text, interactive edition of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with a contemporary translation to make Shakespeare’s language more approachable; popup notes offering insights into Shakespeare’s literary devices; animated videos that explore the play and its context; performances of key scenes bringing Shakespeare’s language to life; and, interviews with the characters occur as events unfold.
Royal Shakespeare Company. (2018). Shakespeare Learning Zone: ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Retrieved from https://www.rsc.org.uk/shakespeare-learning-zone/romeo-and-juliet
Highly recommended and interactive. You’ll find loads of information and videos about the plot, setting and characters and you’ll learn how to unlock Shakespeare’s language using the same techniques as RSC actors.
SparkNotes Editors. (2007). SparkNote on ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/
The Play
In film
Shakespeare, W., Luhrmann, B., Martinelli, G., & Pearce, C. (1996). William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet [Video file]. Retrieved from ClickView database.
Romeo & Juliet – Plot Overview
VideoSparknotes. (2010, October 12). Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ summary. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/dRrvQ1vZxcg
Act 2, Scene 2
ABC Splash. (2014). ‘Romeo and Juliet’: true love’s passion [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/education/romeo-and-juliet-true-loves-passion/13591252
Analysis
Plot Summary & Overview of themes
Bitesize Shakespeare. (2014). Romeo and Juliet [Video file]. Retrieved from ClickView database.
Excellent student and teacher resources are provided for this video. From the video link above, select “Resources” to download.
Act 2, Scene 2 – Analysis
ABC Splash. (2014). ‘Romeo and Juliet’: the language of true love. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/education/romeo-and-juliet-the-language-of-true-love/13591260
Themes
Baricevic, T., & Vaughan, M. (2015). Romeo and Juliet : themes. [Video file]. Retrieved from ClickView database.
Minor characters
Baricevic, T., & Vaughan, M. (2015). Romeo and Juliet : minor characters [Video file]. Retrieved from ClickView database.
Shakespeare’s Language
Ted-Ed. (2015, January 27). Why Shakespeare loved iambic pentameter – David T. Freeman and Gregory Taylor [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/I5lsuyUNu_4
A look into the rhythm of Shakespeare’s words reveals a poet deeply rooted in the way people spoke in his time — and still speak today. Why do Shakespeare’s words have such staying power? David T. Freeman and Gregory Taylor uncover the power of iambic pentameter (Ted-Ed).
The Playwright – William Shakespeare
Biography. (2012, December 12). William Shakespeare – Mini Biography [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/geev441vbMI
Watch a short video biography of William Shakespeare.
General teaching resources
- ClickView
Bitesize Shakespeare https://clickv.ie/w/DV_i
- Folger Shakespeare Library
Shakespeare. http://www.folger.edu/shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet. http://www.folger.edu/romeo-and-juliet
Teaching resources for English Learners
Image Credits
ABC Splash. (2014). Act 2, Scene 2 [Image]. Retrieved from http://education.abc.net.au/web/splash#!/topic/1091248/shakespeare
The Lyceum Theatre. (n.d.). Barbed Heart [Image]. Retrieved from https://lyceum.org.uk/whats-on/production/romeo-and-juliet