1. Introduction to Shakespeare

2. William Shakespeare Born 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, died 1616.
Actor, charter member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men later known as the King’s Men.
Playwright, wrote 37 plays.
Poet, wrote over 150 sonnets.

3. Types of Plays Shakespeare wrote:
Comedies - light and amusing, usually with a happy ending
Tragedies –serious dramas with disastrous endings
Histories – involve events or persons from history

4. The Theatre The Globe Theatre: Open ceiling Three stories high
No artificial lighting
Plays were shown during daylight hours only

5. Spectators Wealthy people got to sit on benches
The poor (called “groundlings”) had to stand and watch from the courtyard
There was much more audience participation than today

6. Actors
Six to eight sharers and then an equal number of hired minor actors who played all of the roles.
Only men and boys.
Young boys whose voices had not changed played the women’s roles.
It would have been indecent for a woman to appear on stage.

7. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Based on a poem by Arthur Brooke, “The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet” which was based on older Italian stories.
Tells the story of two star-crossed lovers doomed to disaster by fate and their tragic flaw of implusiveness.

8. The Montagues Lord Montague – father of Romeo
Lady Montague – mother of Romeo
Romeo Montague – son
Benvolio – nephew of Montague and Romeo’s cousin
Balthasar – servant to Romeo
Abram – servant to Montague

9. The Capulets Lord Capulet – father of Juliet
Lady Capulet – mother of Juliet
Juliet Capulet – daughter
Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet, Juliet’s cousin
Nurse – takes care of Juliet
Sampson and Gregory-servants to Capulet
Peter – servant to Juliet’s Nurse
An Old Man-servant

10. Royalty Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona
Mercutio – kinsman of the Prince and friend of Romeo
Count Paris – a young nobleman

11. Clergy Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest
Friar John – another Franciscan priest

12. An Apothocary- a druggist
Others
An Apothocary- a druggist
Page –to Paris
Chief Watchman
Three Musicians
An Officer
Citizens of Verona, Relatives, Maskers, Guards, Watchmen and Attendants

13. Things to think about…
What would you do if your parents did not approve of someone you were dating?
How important is the opinion of your family in decisions that you make?
Does violence solve problems?