Teacher resource pack

Resource 2) and discuss:  

What words would you use to describe the palace?

What are the different jobs that people would have in the palace? 

• Ask the groups to feedback their ideas so that you can build up a picture of the different kinds of 

activity that would take place in the palace. 

• Explain that we are going to imagine that we are the servants who work there. Put the children 

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TEACHER RESOURCES

into four groups: the cooks and kitchen staff; the cleaners; the laundry and dressmakers; the 

waiters and waitresses. 

• In their groups, give them information about their jobs, and visuals that will help them to build 

an understanding of their role in the household (

Resource 3). Explain that the Doge’s Palace is a 

finely tuned machine, with each member of staff doing their job with expertise and precision.

• Teacher in role – take on the role of the head housekeeper and gather the staff in the servants 

meeting room. Speak to them as the members of staff. Use this brief in role meeting to build 

their sense of them as highly skilled professionals, and introduce the idea of the upcoming party 

Brabantio is holding for his daughter’s 18th birthday. Something like:

“Good morning staff, we have had a busy week with the Doge of Rome’s visit. You 

all performed exceptionally well, as I would expect, and the Doge’s head of staff 

commented on how smoothly everything went. The meal the cooks and kitchen 

staff made was delicious, the palace sparkled like a jewel – good work cleaners - the 

linen in the bedrooms was beautifully laundered and pressed, and the Doge and his 

daughter’s outfits were very impressive, and the table settings and the service were 

exemplary. Well done to all, we know that we have the finest staff in all of Italy.

As you know tomorrow is another big day. The Doge is holding a birthday party 

for his only daughter Desdemona. We know how much he loves and cares for her,