Shakespeare's plays are written in the context of his cultural and social beliefs. The way that his characters react and the words that they use reflect this.
One theme that regularly occurs, for example, is the idea of Natural Order. In this theory everyone has their place in the world as ordained by God. Imagine a step ladder. All of creation is allotted its correct place on this ladder. God is at the top of the ladder, then the angels and then kings. Then come men, followed by women and then animals.
Briefly present some different cultural and social values that are demonstrated in the play that your students are studying. Provide an example of each. You may wish to have prepared a set of prompt cards to help students conduct their research.
Now divide the class into groups. Each group researches their allocated topic in more detail and produces a poster on their topic which they must present to the rest of the class.
Swap topics between the groups and now ask each group to find quotes in the play that they are studying that support these social and cultural views.
Discuss how these social and cultural values have changed today and which are still relevant.
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