The authoritative guide to teaching Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Folger Guide to Teaching Romeo and Juliet is an invaluable resource for teachers, students, and Shakespeare fans alike.

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.

In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers’ final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.

The Folger Guide to Teaching Romeo and Juliet includes:
-An explanation of the Folger methodology for teaching Shakespeare
-Scholarly essays from experts in the field
-A five-week breakdown of digestible lesson plans
-Resource links for a deeper dive into the world of Shakespeare

This guide is an essential part of any teacher’s toolkit.

Dr. Peggy O’Brien was named the Folger’s director of education in May 2013. A former Folger educator, she established the Library’s education philosophy and the bulk of its programs in the 1980s and led the department until 1994, when she left to become director of education programs for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Her long and distinguished career has brought her numerous awards and honors, including Doctor of Laws honoris causa from Trinity University, Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa from Georgetown University, the Public Humanities Award from the DC Community Humanities Council, and the Folger Shakespeare Library’s 2008 Shakespeare Steward Award. Prior to her first appointment at the Folger, she spent a number of years teaching high school English in the DC Public Schools, and since then has taught undergraduate courses at Georgetown University.