Introduction
Today you will be jumping into the background of William Shakespeare! Use the following websites and questions to guide your inquiry and discover more about the author, the topics to be covered in Romeo and Juliet, and information about the time period!
At the end of the webquest, you will turn in your answers on Edmodo. However, since Edmodo doesn't automatically save, keep track of all your answers on a GoogleDoc, then copy and paste your answers into the assignment turn in box.
Process
About Shakespeare
Click on this link and answer the following questions (1-7).
- Click on the link to Birth 1564 & Early Years. William Shakespeare was born in what year?
- What date do we recognize as his birthday?
- What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century?
- Click on the link for 1594 and find the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days. Name one.
- Click on 1599 The Great Globe. What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written?
- Scroll down to the section "Construction of the Globe," and answer these questions:
- Where did the timbers to build the Globe come from?
- Who was the carpenter who built the Globe?
- What was Shakespeare's share as "householder?"
- What day and year did Shakespeare die? Why is this an interesting date? How old was Shakespeare when he died?
About Marriage
Click on this link and answer the next questions (8-10).
- Romeo & Juliet marry secretly, but because she is trying to escape the arranged marriage to Paris. Read this site about marriage in Elizabethan England and answer these questions.
- What does betrothal mean?
- Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.
- Click on the link for "more wedding customs."
- What color should the bride's dress be?
- How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event?
- Describe the wedding procession.
- What is a dowry?
- Explain how important is a wedding ring to the Elizabethans?
About Food
Click on this link and continue (11-13).
- How many meals do people generally eat each day?
- Click here. Why would people in Shakespeare's day not know what a chocolate chip cookie is?
- Lord Capulet throws a huge party, feast and all. Imagine you are in charge of that menu. Luckily for you, today you only have to plan a menu for a small dinner party. Be sure to use only food available in Europe during this time. Choose at least two vegetables, two meats, and two fruits or nuts.
|
Dinner Party Menu
|
About Language
Click on this link and continue (14-16).
- A famous line from Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet says, "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" What does "wherefore" mean?
- What does "stay" mean?
- Click here to get the information you need to translate this conversation. Put your translation in column two. Keep the phrases just about the same, but use Elizabethan words where you can. So, in other words, you rewrite the entire phrase but replace as many words as you can using Elizabethan English.
| Person A | Hello. (A sneezes) Excuse me. | |
| Person B | Gesundheit! | |
| A | Thank you. | |
| B | Say, do you know where the closest bathroom is? | |
| A | Certainly. It's down the street in the Kings Tavern. | |
| B | Thanks. Goodbye. |
About Theatre in Shakespeare's Time
"Actors, Acting, & Audience" is the link for the next questions (16-19).
- How many women actors did the company usually feature?
- Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors?
- How were the seating arrangements for the audience? How did one get a good seat?
- What would the audience do if they did not like a performance?
Shakespearean Insults
20. Shakespeare was also famous literary insults, many of which were particularily bawdy. Care to be insulted yourself? Visit this page and find a favorite insult.
Conclusion
Remember to submit the answers to all the Webquest questions right into Edmodo!