Romeo and Juliet: Fate, Chance or Choice? An English Lesson Using Probability zyx JUDITH S. ZAWOJEWSKI, JERI NOWAKOWSKI and ROBERT F. BORUCH zyxw Keywords: zyxwvutsr Teaching; Probability; Tree Diagram. We have been involved in a National Science Foundation funded project to study the feasibility of integrating fundamental statistics and probability ideas into various subjects taught in middle and secondary school (see Boruch and Zawojewski, 1987). Our interest in a cross-disciplinary approach evolved from our belief that students understand concepts better when the notions are encountered in a variety of contexts, and that learning is enhanced by repeated and distributed exposure to ideas. The topic of statistics lends itself well to a cross-disciplinary approach since much of statistics has grown out of needs in non-mathematical areas of study. Smeeton and Smeeton (1984, 1985) have illustrated that statistical ideas can be introduced into many facets of English studies, including literature. In this article, we want to share one of the ideas that we have developed for using probability in the Shakespeare masterpiece Romeo and Juliet. This particular lesson requires students to zyxwvuts use a probability tree and the concept of conditional probability to explore the underlying role of “fate” in the play. English Objectives Students will -understand and discuss the role of fate, chance and choice in the plot line for --explore alternatives for the story line based on different assumptions about the .Romeo and Juliet. role of predestination in the play. Statistics Objectives Students will -use a probability tree to represent critical turning points in the plot line. -use the concept of probability to consider the effect of different assumptions on -apply the concept of conditional probability to consider the likelihood of a the likelihood of alternative story lines. chain of events. 37