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Romeo and Juliet

Two households…

Both alike in dignity…

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny…

makes civil hands unclean. Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.

Facts Written by William Shakespeare in about 1591 Based on Arthur Brooke's The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a… Tragedy

Montagues Romeo’s father 14 years old Romeo’s Servant Nephew of Montague, Romeo’s cousin

Capulets Juliet’s mom 13 years old Nephew of Lady Capulet Juliet’s dad

Others Mentor to both Romeo and Juliet Ruler of Verona A relative of the prince and friend of Romeo Ruler of Verona A young nobleman, a relative of the prince

TThe Poetry of Shakespeare The main characters in R &J speak in iambic pentameter Minor characters (and sometimes Mercutio when he is joking) speak in prose; not using poetry Iambic Pentameter: line of poetry that contains 5 iambs Lines have a rhythm to them 10 syllables Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables Does not rhyme Iamb: a unit of measure with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (ta-DA) He JESTS at SCARS that NEV er FELT a WOUND But SOFT! what LIGHT through YON der WIN dow BREAKS?

The Poetry of Shakespeare When Shakespeare rhymes, he generally uses couplets. Couplet: 2 consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme. Example: Goodnight, goodnight! Parting is such sweet sorrow! That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Drama Terms Soliloquy - Long speech given by a character while alone on stage to reveal his or her private thoughts or intentions Aside - Character’s quiet remark to the audience or another character that no one else on stage is supposed to hear Monologue- A prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker

Puns A pun is a humorous play on words. Mercutio – “Nay, gentle 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 I Sc. 4)

Allusions An allusion is a reference to a well known work of art, music, literature, or history. “At lovers’ perjuries, they say Jove laughs.” (Act II, Sc. 2) Jove is another name for Jupiter, the Roman King of the Gods.

Dramatic Irony Irony—contrast between appearance and reality Dramatic Irony—the audience or reader knows something the character(s) does not know

Metaphor A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things. Romeo – “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” (Act II Sc. 2)

Personification 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, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow’d night” (Act III Sc. 2)

Oxymorons An oxymoron describes when two juxtaposed words have opposing or very diverse meanings. Juliet – “Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!” (Act III Sc.2)

Foreshadowing Foreshadowing is a 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 the garish sun.” (Act III Sc. 2)

Motifs: Reoccurring element(s) that has symbolic meaning Light and dark Time References to “time” words, such as “hours” References to the passage of time, especially if it seems “rushed” Fate References to “light” words, such as “torches,” “the sun,” adjectives that describe light (“bright”) References to “dark” words, such as “night” and “gloom” Look for instances where events are blamed on “fate,” “destiny,” or “the stars”

Essential Questions for Romeo and Juliet 1. Is love stronger than hate? 2. Can having too much passion lead to negative consequences? 3. Do we shape our own fates through our choices, or are our fates shaped for us? 4. To what extent do love and hate influence our decisions in life?

Shakespearean Terms ‘a: he hence: away a’: on hither: here Anon: right now Ho: hey Dost/doth: does/do marry: indeed Fain: gladly nice: trivial/foolish Fie: an exclamation of disgust Hie: hurry soft: quiet Thee/Thou: you wherefore: why Thy: your Whence: from where