AQA GCSE English Literature - Paper 1 - Romeo and Juliet - Introduction PowerPoint with activities

Number of slides: 57 Activities inc. quiz and videos Teaching time: 90 minutes

This presentation offers an in-depth exploration of Shakespeare’s classic play, “Romeo and Juliet.” It is designed to be used as an Introduction to the play but can also be used to revise the play, once students are more familiar with it.

Key Features:

Plot Overview: The presentation outlines the main plot points and narrative structure of “Romeo and Juliet,” guiding students through the story of the protagonists first meeting to the tragic events that lead to their deaths.

Character Analysis: Detailed analyses of the main characters, including Romeo, Juliet, Friar Laurence, Mercutio and Tybalt. These analyses highlight the characters’ development and their roles within the play’s story.

Themes Exploration: The presentation considers the central themes of the play, such as love, youth v experience and family feuding. It emphasises the relevance of these themes in today’s context, encouraging students to reflect on their societal responsibilities and moral choices.

Historical Context: Understanding the historical context that influenced Shakespeare’s writing is crucial. The presentation covers the social and economic conditions of the Elizabethan era, including the stark contrasts between wealth and poverty.

Literary Devices: The use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony in “Romeo and Juliet” is examined, helping students appreciate Shakespeare’s literary techniques and their impact on the story.

Activities and Quizzes: Engaging activities and quizzes are included throughout the presentation to reinforce students’ understanding and encourage critical thinking. These interactive elements make learning about “Romeo and Juliet” both enjoyable and educational.

Tips for Studying: Practical tips for studying the play are provided, helping students focus their revision and improve their exam performance.

This presentation has been written by a teacher with 30 years’ experience and has been tried and tested across many years and cohorts.

Please see accompanying “Model Answers” for 5 past questions on the play.

If you have found this resource useful, please see my other ever-growing collection of teaching resources for English GCSE, A Level Law, A Level Politics, BTEC Business and some PSHE resources as well.