Before we begin our reading of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, you will have the opportunity to step into the shoes of an Elizabethan (as they are called) citizen and walk around.  You and a partner will work together to investigate a particular aspect of Elizabethan life from two different perspectives (Lewis).  Once you have become experts on your topic, you will each produce a diary, from the perspective of your “character” that includes many of the interesting facts you discovered through your research.  You will also produce a PowerPoint presentation of no more than 8 slides that you and your partner will present to the class in order to share what you have learned. 

The Topics and Roles:

1. Life in Elizabethan Times: 

        Roles: Teenage daughter and son of a craftsman

2. Life in London: 

        Roles:  A criminal and a nobleman

3.  Disease/Medicine in Shakespeare’s Day:

         Roles:  A physician and a patient

4.  Life in Elizabethan England:

          Roles:  A peasant and a school teacher

5.  The Theatre:

          Roles:  An actor at the Globe Theatre and a groundling

6.  Shakespeare’s Life:

           Roles:  John Shakespeare (Will’s father) and Anne Hathaway (Will’s wife)

7.  Shakespeare’s Plays:

            Roles: Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth

Once you and your partner have decided which roles you will play, you may begin your research.  Once you have finished, you will begin writing your “Day in the Life” diary.  Your diary must:

• Include at least 5 “entries” of 8-10 sentences each.
• Be written from the point of view of your character.  So consider how each of your characters would experience the information you find.
• Include (throughout all the entries) at least 8 facts about the topic you studied with in-text citation in proper MLA format. Click here for Citation help page.
• Include a “Works Cited” page listing at least 3 websites and 2 print sources in proper MLA format.
• Include a cover page with your name, the project name, and a title for your diary.

In addition to your individual diaries, you will work with your partner to create a short PowerPoint presentation of your topic.  This presentation must:

• Include 6-8 slides of the facts you have gathered.
• Include in-text citation in proper MLA format of all facts you include.
• Be presented in class.
• Include one print-out of the slides to be turned in for a grade.

Click here for a PowerPoint help page.