How to Find Theme - R&J

Finding theme

Finding Theme Using Romeo and Juliet

​finding theme

Now that we have reached the end of the play you can now accurately tie specific devices with the overall theme. A theme is a general lesson we as readers or the characters themselves learn by the end of the story. You can create theme with the following formula:

Thematic concept + Argument = Theme

Finding Theme

Open Ended

List the thematic concepts displayed in Romeo and Juliet.

Examples of thematic concepts: Revenge, Hate, Love, Greed, etc...

​finding theme

Now that you have a thematic concept, what is the play as a whole teaching us about those concepts?

Thematic concept + Argument = Theme

Finding Theme

Open Ended

Add an argument to one of your thematic concepts. Create your final theme.

Thematic concept + Argument = Theme

​finding theme

But, now we must test our theme to see if it stands up upon inspection. A written work may have multiple themes, but these themes must be backed up with evidence from the text.

Thematic concept + Argument = Theme

Finding Theme

Open Ended

Name at least 3 specific incidents within the play that relate to this thematic concept and directly teach us, or the characters, your chosen argument.

Be specific! If you are having trouble, it may be that your theme is too broad or not accurate to the work as a whole.

Multiple Select

Select all the possible themes for Romeo and Juliet.

• Sit and think before you make a decision.

• You should not rely on fate to control your life and instead need to take ownership of your decisions.

• Hatred and violence without logical reason will only lead to more hatred and violence.

• True love is the answer.

Open Ended

Name me three specific incidents where it would have been better if a character thought before they made a decision. How did that work out for them?

Open Ended

Name me three specific incidents where characters refused to take ownership of their actions and instead blamed fate. How did that work out for them?

Open Ended

Name me three specific incidents where characters displayed hatred and violence towards someone else for no logical reason. How did that work out for them?

Open Ended

Why is "True Love is the Answer" not a possible theme?

Multiple Choice

So when Romeo states that Paris is "One writ with me in sour misfortune's book!" what theme does that connect to?

• Sit and think before you make a decision.

• You should not rely on fate to control your life and instead need to take ownership of your decisions.

• Hatred and violence without logical reason will only lead to more hatred and violence.

• True love is the answer.

Multiple Choice

And when Romeo uses the sense of sight to focus on how alive Juliet appears before taking the potion, " Death, that has sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty" what theme does that connect to?

• Sit and think before you make a decision.

• You should not rely on fate to control your life and instead need to take ownership of your decisions.

• Hatred and violence without logical reason will only lead to more hatred and violence.

• True love is the answer.