Use this WebQuest as a way to gain precious background knowledge before tackling one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, Romeo & Juliet.

Follow the directions carefully, visit the chosen websites, read and gather information, and type your findings into a well organized word document. Save the word document in your own My Documents, and print the document when you finish the WebQuest.

All About Shakespeare: 

Short Bio  |  FAQ  |  Timeline

Read about William Shakespeare. Write a paragraph (about 150-200 words) about the Bard that includes the answers to the following questions. It might be easiest to collect the answers and then organize your paragraph after having them. Include a title or heading for this paragraph.

1. What day do we consider to be Shakespeare's day of birth and how do we know it?

2. What school and what university did Shakespeare attend?

3. Who did Shakespeare marry, and how many children did he have?

4. What tragic family event occurred around the same time as his writing of Romeo & Juliet?

5. What did Shakespeare's great financial gain in 1605 allow him the time to do?

6. What two plays are considered Shakespeare's greatest or most famous?

7. How large is the average person's vocabulary, and how does Shakespeare's compare?

The Elizabethan Theater

Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.

Globe Theater

1. When was the original Globe Theater built?

2. Where was the original Globe Theater located?

3. From what was the Globe Theater built?

Owners of the Globe Theater

4. How many owners of the original Globe Theater were there? List their names.

The Plays & Sonnets of Shakespeare

Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.

Shakespeare's works

1. What three categories of plays did Shakespeare write?

2. List the title of one play from each category.

All About Elizabethan Love & Marriage: 

Betrothal and Wedding  |  More Wedding Customs  |  Love and Marriage

Read about the Elizabethan society's norms regarding love and marriage. Write a short paragraph (about 150-200 words) responding to those norms on a personal level. Somewhere in your response, answer the following questions. It might be easiest to answer the questions and craft your personal reaction in direct response to them.

1. At what age may a boy and girl marry, and at what age is marriage for non-noble families common?
2. When a marriage is arranged for a younger couple, what is the usual reason?
3. When is it considered “luckiest” to have the marriage?
4. How is a wedding engagement announced, and what is thought of an unannounced wedding?
5. Marrying for love is generally considered what?
6. Why are most noble marriages arranged, and even some common people marriages?

All About Elizabethan Language: 

Ms. Hogue's Chart  |  Life in Elizabethan England  |  Proper Britannian

* Note: “wherefore” means “why,” not “where.”

Write a short creative passage (about 100-150 words) using Elizabethan English. Use at least ten of the Elizabethan words correctly; highlight them with bold font. It might be easiest to include dialogue. (Need inspiration? Write about a huge feast or party, or write a boy-meets-girl story.) Title this section "My Elizabethan Language Paragraph." 

The Elizabethan Household:

Services & Occupations

Look at the list of services and occupations common in Elizabethan society. Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.

1. From whom do you purchase necessary drugs?

2. From whom do you purchase cloth for making clothing?

3. In your own household, what is the title of the person who nurses your baby? 

Shakespearean Insults: 

Insult Kit  |  Random Insult

Include a heading that says “My Shakespearean insults.” Visit the insult kit link above and create your own FOUR insults using the formula:

“Thou” + Column 1 + Column 2 + Column 3 + “!”

Then, read a few of the actual insults taken from Shakespeare's works (from the second link above) and copy your favorite on your document. For bonus points, explain: why is it your favorite? What do you like about it?