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Debate Activity: Exploring Fate vs. Choice in Romeo and Juliet
Nothing in Shakespeare every is truly what it seems. The ambiguity of Romeo and Juliet offers the perfect opportunity for a classroom debate. One of the central questions the play raises is whether the tragedy is driven more by fate or by the characters’ choices. How often have we just wanted to scream at the characters that their fate may not actually be written in the stars? Perhaps we shouldn’t scream in class, but this debate activity does allow students to explore and argue both sides of this issue, using textual evidence from Act 1.
Preparing for the Debate
Before the debate, students complete a close reading of Act 1, and that’s it! That’s all they have to do! To prepare for the debate, the class is divided into teams, each assigned to argue either that fate drives the tragedy or that it’s the characters’ choices. Using this print-and-go resource, each student develops a unique argument supported by quotes from a provided “quote sheet,” which focuses on fate and choice. While the quotes are provided, context, knowledge of the characters, and an understanding of the plot are not– it is up to the students to bring those elements to the table themselves.
The Debate
Each student delivers a unique one-minute speech and then prepares rebuttals to their opponent’s arguments. Students will have to work together in their teams to ensure no two students have similar arguments. Students will also have to critically listen to their classmates to prepare their rebuttal. Their rebuttal opponant will be pre-determined (fated?). This format encourages critical thinking and active engagement, with students required to think on their feet and use textual evidence to support their points.
Scoring and Reflection
Scoring focuses on the quality of arguments, use of evidence, and effectiveness of rebuttals, rather than declaring a winner. The rubric does not ask the teacher to assign a winner and a loser– students are only evaluated on the quality of their work. This approach emphasizes analytical and rhetorical skills while making Romeo and Juliet accessible and relevant. Ultimately, this activity deepens students’ understanding of the interplay between fate and choice, encourages close-reading, and fosters a rich appreciation for Shakespeare’s work.
