Romeo and Juliet: “The Prologue” Practicing Annotation The notes in this section will assist you in providing an effective annotation lesson. Allow students 10 minutes to attempt to complete the annotation themselves. Then, line by line, work through the annotation lines.

Define the term Prologue: You will find it in your notes from Monday. an opening to a plot line that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information

Two households, both alike in dignity. Line One Two households, both alike in dignity. Two Households: Montague and Capulet Discuss system of ‘houses’ within text Dignity: High Social Rank

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, Line Two In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, Verona: City We lay our scene: play’s setting

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Line Three From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Ancient Grudge: Old argument/hate Mutiny: Violence

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. Line Four Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. Civil Blood: Blood of Verona’s Citizens Civil Hands: Citizen’s hands are stained with the blood of other citizens

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes Line Five From forth the fatal loins of these two foes Fatal: Determined by fate Deadly Loins: Place in which children are born/made Two Foes: Lord Montague and Lord Capulet

A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Line Six A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Pair: Romeo and Juliet Star-Crossed Lovers: Discuss navigation by stars (paths cross) Romeo and Juliet were fated to be together Take their life: Suicide

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Line Seven Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Misadventured: Unfortunate Piteous: Having pity/sad/full of pity Overthrows: destruction/death

Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife Line Eight Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife Their: Romeo and Juliet Bury their parents’ strife: Remove the grudge of Lord Montague and Lord Capulet

The fearful passage of their death-marked love, Line Nine The fearful passage of their death-marked love, Passage: The plot/action of Romeo and Juliet’s love and death

And the continuance of their parents’ rage, Line Ten And the continuance of their parents’ rage, Continuance: Duration in which something exists/lasts Parents’ Rage: Montague and Capulets grudge and anger

Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, Line Eleven Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, Their: Montague and Capulet End: Death Naught could remove: nothing could remove this grudge

Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage; Line Twelve Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage; Traffic: Business/ Action The plot is taking place on stage

The which if you with patient ears attend, Line Thirteen The which if you with patient ears attend, Patient Ears: If you will listen

What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend Line Fourteen What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend Here shall miss: What you just missed in the prologue Our toil: Actor’s work/acting Mend: Will fix what you missed

Short Answer You have now completed your first annotation of a Shakespearean excerpt. What do you think you will struggle with the most while reading Romeo and Juliet? Explain.