This lesson plan helps students analyze the major themes, symbols and motifs in *Romeo and Juliet* by William Shakespeare using a visual storyboard organizer.
Subject: English Language Arts · Grade: 9–11 · Time: 45–60 minutes
Major themes
| Theme | Description | Key scenes |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Intense, passionate, tragic love | Balcony scene, the tomb |
| Fate | Stars control destiny | Prologue, Romeo's premonitions |
| Conflict | Family feud, violence | Opening brawl, Tybalt's death |
| Time | Haste, urgency | Quick marriage, rushed decisions |
Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Light and dark | Love as light, death as darkness |
| Poison | Destruction, the feud's toxicity |
| The mask | Disguise, hidden identity |
| The tomb | Death, the tragic ending |
Motifs
- Stars and fate: Romeo is "star-crossed," references to astrology
- Light imagery: Love described as light, brightness
- Duality: Love and hate, light and dark, life and death
Activity: Storyboard the symbols
- Open Storyboard Creator with a 6-panel layout
- Choose 3 symbols from above
- For each symbol, create 2 panels showing it in the play and explaining its meaning
- Add captions with act and scene numbers
- Export PDF or share a live link