Activity Overview
Shakespearean Romances were once combined into the 18 Comedies Shakespeare wrote during his career. However, as scholars have analyzed these plays further, they’ve realized that five of them are more like “tragicomedies” than true Comedies, because they incorporate important qualities from the Medieval Romance genre. Thus, Shakespearean Romances have become a genre of their own, on par with his Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories.
Having students create storyboards that depict the elements of this genre will help them to understand the Romance elements in The Tempest. It will also help them follow the multiple plots and interweaving of characters, while bringing the genre to life!
Romantic Elements of The Tempest
- Conflict Begins the Play / Resolved by the End
- Central Older Male Figure of Nobility
- Love Interest
- Elements of the Supernatural
- Themes on a Grander Scale
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the five elements of the Shakespearean Romance in The Tempest. Make sure to depict the scenes where the elements appear, and describe how the scene highlights the element you have identified. Make sure you craft the scenes with care, choose historically-appropriate art, and give clear, concise explanations. Proofread your work!
- Identify events or characteristics of the story that fit into the elements of a Shakespearean Romance.
- Illustrate the examples for each event or characteristic.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates The Tempest as a Shakespearean Romance.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of a Shakespearean Romance Genre | The five common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the elements being depicted. | 4-5 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the elements being depicted. | 2-3 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the elements being depicted. | 1-2 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the play. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Shakespearean Romances were once combined into the 18 Comedies Shakespeare wrote during his career. However, as scholars have analyzed these plays further, they’ve realized that five of them are more like “tragicomedies” than true Comedies, because they incorporate important qualities from the Medieval Romance genre. Thus, Shakespearean Romances have become a genre of their own, on par with his Comedies, Tragedies, and Histories.
Having students create storyboards that depict the elements of this genre will help them to understand the Romance elements in The Tempest. It will also help them follow the multiple plots and interweaving of characters, while bringing the genre to life!
Romantic Elements of The Tempest
- Conflict Begins the Play / Resolved by the End
- Central Older Male Figure of Nobility
- Love Interest
- Elements of the Supernatural
- Themes on a Grander Scale
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the five elements of the Shakespearean Romance in The Tempest. Make sure to depict the scenes where the elements appear, and describe how the scene highlights the element you have identified. Make sure you craft the scenes with care, choose historically-appropriate art, and give clear, concise explanations. Proofread your work!
- Identify events or characteristics of the story that fit into the elements of a Shakespearean Romance.
- Illustrate the examples for each event or characteristic.
- Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates The Tempest as a Shakespearean Romance.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of a Shakespearean Romance Genre | The five common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the elements being depicted. | 4-5 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are mostly accurate for the elements being depicted. | 2-3 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes and/or explanations may be minimal or inaccurate for the elements being depicted. | 1-2 common elements of the Shakespearean Romance Genre are correctly identified and portrayed from the play. The quotes/and or explanations may be inaccurate, missing, or too limited to score. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the play. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas and quotes are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Romantic Elements in The Tempest
Organize a classroom debate on the themes of forgiveness and justice in The Tempest
Prompt students to discuss how forgiveness and justice are portrayed in the play. Assign roles or perspectives to ensure that all voices are heard and encourage respectful argumentation and evidence-based reasoning.
Assign roles and prepare students for participation
Divide the class into groups representing different characters or viewpoints. Give each student a role—such as Prospero, Miranda, Caliban, or an observer—and equip them with guiding questions to focus their arguments.
Facilitate research and evidence gathering
Encourage students to find direct quotes and examples from the text that support their assigned perspective. Highlight the importance of using textual evidence for stronger, more persuasive points.
Conduct the debate and foster respectful discussion
Set clear guidelines for respectful discourse and active listening. Moderate the debate to ensure each voice is heard, and steer the conversation back to the main themes as needed.
Reflect and connect debate insights to romance elements
Wrap up by having students reflect on how the themes of forgiveness and justice tie into the romantic elements of the play. Encourage connections back to the genre and students’ understanding of The Tempest as a Shakespearean Romance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Romantic Elements in The Tempest
What are the main romantic elements found in The Tempest?
The Tempest includes five key romantic elements: the play begins with a conflict that is resolved by the end, features a central older noble male, introduces a love interest, incorporates supernatural elements, and explores broad, universal themes.
How can students identify and illustrate romance elements in The Tempest for a lesson?
Students can identify romance elements by analyzing scenes for conflict resolution, noble figures, love interests, supernatural events, and grand themes. They can then illustrate these moments in a storyboard and write brief explanations for each cell.
What is the difference between a Shakespearean Romance and a Comedy?
Shakespearean Romances combine elements of comedy and tragedy, featuring magical or supernatural events, redemption, and complex characters, while traditional comedies focus more on humor and mistaken identities with happy endings.
Why is The Tempest considered a tragicomedy or romance instead of a pure comedy?
The Tempest is viewed as a romance because it blends comic moments with serious, even tragic, themes, includes supernatural elements, and centers on forgiveness and reconciliation, making it more complex than a typical comedy.
What are some quick activities to teach Shakespearean romance elements using The Tempest?
Quick activities include storyboarding key scenes, group discussions on each romance element, matching scenes to elements, and writing short scene summaries that explain how each fits the romance genre.
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