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It wasn’t the first time I read Romeo and Juliet, but maybe during my eighth or ninth reading (I taught 9th grade English for a very, very long time) I started thinking that the real heroes of the play were not Romeo and Juliet– they were really the Friar and the Nurse! These folks deserve their time in the spotlight, which is what they will get in this debate. In Romeo and Juliet, minor characters often play crucial roles that dramatically affect the story’s outcome. Two such characters are Friar Lawrence and the Nurse, whose actions and advice significantly influence the fates of Romeo and Juliet. To explore the impact of these characters, a lively classroom debate was held, pitting Friar Lawrence against the Nurse to determine who is the more important minor character.
Preparing for the Debate
Before the debate, divide the class evenly so that half the teams will argue in favor of Friar Lawrence and the other half in defense of the Nurse. Each student will craft a unique argument using the provided quote sheets—no outside sources except the students’ understanding of the play– allowed. This preparation phase emphasized the importance of deep textual analysis, encouraging students to interpret and contextualize quotes to build strong cases for their assigned character.
Engaging in the Debate
The debate structure requires each student to present their argument, followed by a rebuttal against an opposing team member’s claim. The first speaker for Friar Lawrence refutes the first speaker for the Nurse, and so on, ensuring that every student engaged critically with the opposing viewpoint. To aid in crafting effective rebuttals, students take detailed notes during the debate on the specific points they intend to refute. Students also have a rebuttal template that will help them take notes and to craft their rebuttals.
The Outcome: A Learning Experience
What makes this debate particularly enriching is the focus on the quality of arguments rather than on declaring a winner. The teacher evaluates the debate using a rubric that assesses each student’s understanding of the text, the strength of their arguments, and the effectiveness of their rebuttals—not who wins and who loses. In this way, the quality of the debate is valued above all else.
By engaging in this debate, students will better understand the roles Friar Lawrence and the Nurse play in Romeo and Juliet. They will learn to appreciate the nuances of Shakespeare’s characters and how even those considered “minor” can, sometimes, truly be “major.”
