Romeo and Juliet By William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare 37 plays written Conflicts and theme of plays are timeless

Tragedy Definition: A drama or literary work the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances

Catastrophe The final event in a drama- the death in a tragedy

Comic Relief A bit of humor injected into a serious play to relieve the heavy tension of tragic events Ex: the nurse is a comic relief in Romeo and Juliet

Chorus Who: a single character What: speaks to audience Why: gives audience an idea about the conflict ahead

Soliloquy Definition: A character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts without addressing a listener.

Aside Lines spoken to the audience not meant to be heard by the characters on stage or lines spoken to another character but not meant to be heard by all of the characters

Monologue Definition: A long speech made by one person

Pun Definition : A play on words, sometimes on different senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words. Examples: Let’s talk about rights and lefts. You’re right, so I left. Without geometry, life is pointless

(Historical Context of R&J) Life in 1595 Life expectancy was shorter Childhood to adulthood- no teenagers

Romeo and Juliet Romeo is a Montague 16 years old Acts on feelings-emotional kind of guy Juliet is a Capulet 13 years old Acts out against parents

Star Crossed "Star-crossed" or "star-crossed lovers" is a reference to those who fight against (or cross) their fate, which is written in the stars. The phrase was first recorded by William Shakespeare in his play Romeo and Juliet also refers to destiny and the inevitability of the two characters' paths crossing each other. It also usually means unlucky, since Romeo and Juliet's affair ended tragically Doomed by unlucky stars

R&J Play Story happens within a total of 4 days Influence on popular culture!

Montagues and Capultes Ongoing family feud No one knows why for sure Constant fighting between two families Citizens used to it

Montague Family Wealthy Romeo-16 year old son Lord and Lady Montague-parents Mercutio- a true friend of Romeo and very witty and talkative (cousin to Prince Escalus) Benvolio- a cousin and loyal friend to Romeo (good sense and peacemaker) Balthasar- a loyal servant to Romeo Abram- a loyal servant to Lord Montague

Capulet Family Juliet Capulet- 13 year old daughter Lord and Lady Capulet- Juliet’s parents Tybalt- cousin to Juliet; bad tempered, expert swordsman The Nurse- Juliet’s nurse; outspoken, bawdy, loud, (rude), was Juliet’s wet nurse when her baby died Peter- the nurse’s servant Sampson and Gregory- servants to Lord Capulet

Drama is meant to be acted You will be assigned to act out scenes with proper costumes and props Everyone must partake! Ten points! If you are absent, you will rotate with someone The list will be given ahead, so you may practice and prepare for your part No judgments- participation points only- no Oscars or Grammys or other rewards It will be fun!

Other Important Characters Prince Escalus- ruler of Verona Friar Laurence- a kind Catholic priest; Romeo’s confessor and mentor; tries to help Romeo and Juliet An Apothecary- a person who prepares and sells medicine and chemicals

Five Act Dramatic Structure Exposition Act I Conflict/Complications Act II Climax Act III Falling Action/ Tragedy Act IV Resolution Act V

Play Broken up into Acts (chapters) & scenes (usually about 5-6 scenes)

Prologue

Definition: An introduction or preface, especially a poem recited to introduce a play. Purpose: usually reveals key elements of the plot to inform even the most illiterate/uneducated audience members

Prologue Uses Iambic Pentameter da DUM | da DUM | da DUM | da DUM | da DUM if YOU | would PUT | the KEY | inSIDE | the LOCK

Iambic Pentameter Pentameter: 5 sets of stressed and unstressed syllables (iambic units) This line has 5 feet, so it’s written in pentameter. And the stressing pattern is all iambs: if YOU | would PUT | the KEY | inSIDE | the LOCK da DUM | da DUM | da DUM | da DUM | da DUM

Sonnet Popular verse form (1595) 14 lines often iambic pentameter Couplets and rhyme scheme Label the rhyme scheme (begin with A)

The Prologue Sonnet Performs a vital dramatic function Allows the audience to foresee events Before the audience meets Romeo and Juliet, they know their love is doomed Their families are caught up in an argument It will only be resolved by the death of the young lovers

Prologue Read chorus (one character) to audience Gives an idea about the conflict Helps the illiterate/uneducated audience understand

Line One Once there were two families of equal status and prestige

Line Two Theses two families lived in Verona, Italy where the story takes place

Line Three In Verona fighting has broken out in a riot

Line Four The fighting has been a result of a long-standing and bitter feud between the two families- each noble family endured physical and bloody assault

Line Five From each of these enemy families come the young lovers of the story

Line Six The young lovers are doomed by their own fate from birth (family name) and will commit suicide

Line Seven The two young lovers met and fell in love aware that their union would bring sorrow on their parents

Line Eight The death of these young lovers becomes the source of horrible grief to their parents

Line Nine They both die for love

Line Ten Their death punishes their parents’ hate

Line Eleven Their children’s death brings peace between the two families

Line Twelve The next two hours, it is our (the actors’) business to show this tale

Line Thirteen Have patient ears and listen to the play

Line Fourteen The missing pieces, we (the actors) will try very hard to clear up for you!