Romeo and Juliet

The Tragedy Written in Shakespeare’s early career about 1591. Tale of two young star-crossed lovers. Most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers. Based on Arthur Brooke’s The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet.

Montagues

Montagues Romeo-son of Montague Lord Montague-Romeo’ dad Lady Montague-Romeo’s mom Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin/friend Balthasar- servant of Romeo Abram-servant of Montague

Capulets

Capulets Juliet-daughter of Capulet Lord Capulet- Juliet’s dad Lady Capulet- Juliet’s mom Nurse-Juliet’s servant Peter- servant to Nurse Tybalt- Juliet’s cousin, nephew of Capulet Sampson- servant Gregory-servant

Others

Other Characters Chorus- actor who introduces Act I and II Prince Escalus- ruler of Verona Count Paris- young nobleman, relative of Prince Page- servant to Paris Mercutio- Romeo’s friend, relative of Prince Friar Lawrence- priest Friar John- priest Apothecary- pharmacist/druggist

Drama A story performed by actors on a stage in front of an audience.

Acts A major division (stop) in the action of the play. Shakespeare’s plays were always 5 Acts.

Scenes A division of an Act.

Protagonist Central character in the story around which the plot is centered. Usually seen as the “good” guy.

Antagonist A character who sets up obstacles for the protagonist. Usually seen as the “bad” guy.

Soliloquy Actor is alone on stage and speaks his thoughts out loud.

Aside a character’s direct address to the audience, which is not heard by the other characters.

Dramatic Irony The audience or the reader knows something important that a character in the play does not know.

Puns A humorous play on words. Mercutio: “Nay, gently Romeo, we must have you dance.” Romeo: “Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead…” (Act 1.4).

Allusions A reference to a well known work of art, music, literature or history. “At lovers’ perjuries, they say Jove laughs” (Act 2.2). Jove is another name for Jupiter, the Roman King of the Gods.

Metaphor A direct comparison between two unlike things. Romeo: “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? / Is it the east, and Juliet is the sun” (Act 2.2).

Personification Occurs when an inanimate object or concept is given the qualities of a person or animal. Juliet: “For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night / Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back. / Come, gently night, come, loving black-brow’d night” (Act 2.2).

Oxymorons Describes when two juxtaposed words have opposing or very diverse meanings. Juliet: “Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical!” (Act 3.2)

Paradox Statement or situation with seemingly contradictory or incompatible components. Juliet: “O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face” (Act 3.2).

Foreshadowing Reference to something that will happen later in the story. Juliet: “Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, / Take him and cut him out in little stars, / And he will make the face of heaven so fine / That all the world will be in love with night / And pay no worship to garish sun” (Act 3.2).

Themes Light/Dark Love/Hate Love/Lust Time Fate/Free Will Sun, torches/night, gloom Love/Hate Love/Lust Time Hours, rushed Fate/Free Will “star-crossed,” fate, destiny, the stars