THEME REVIEW & PRACTICE

Romeo and Juliet

WHAT IS THEME?

Theme is the author’s message

Theme is NEVER just one word

Almost every story’s theme says

something about love, family, money,

fame or power

HOW TO WE FIND THEME?

Who are the main characters? Pick one.

What does he/she want?

What is the obstacle preventing that character

from getting what he/she wants?

How does he/she end up? Does he/she get what

he/she wants? Is he/she happy?

PRACTICE

Get with a partner near you and chat about the story of:

(For each story write down the theme and what

happens in the story that tells you that is the theme)

Little Red Riding hood

The Lion King

Cinderella

Beauty and The Beast

THEME OF R&J

Work on finding your own theme of Romeo and Juliet

Ask your self (write down the answers):

Who are the main characters? Pick one.

What does he/she want?

What is the obstacle preventing that character from getting

what he/she wants?

How does he/she end up? Does he/she get what he/she

wants? Is he/she happy?

THEME

After you have answered the questions about

Romeo or Juliet. What do you believe the theme is?

Remember theme is never just ONE WORD. What is

Shakespeare trying to say about love? Family?

Once everyone has a theme we will do a buzz

around the room

Each person will stand up and share their theme

CREATING A THESIS

Once you have come up with a theme for Romeo and Juliet, come

up with a thesis and your three reasons why that is the theme.

Think about it this way, how can you prove your chosen theme?

Thesis: The theme of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is

____________________ because __________, _____________, and

_____________.

Next come up with three quotes to support your thesis