Romeo and Juliet

The Life of William Shakespeare Lived from Born in Stratford-On-Avon Near London, England Married to Anne Hathaway Had 3 Children Much of his life is unknown Mystery Period: Church records of the children’s christening are the only known facts of Shakespeare’s life for the decade following his marriage.

Who Was William Shakespeare? Famous Playwright and Poet Actor Member of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Acting Company) Part Owner of The Globe Theater

His Works 37 Plays Comedies, Tragedies, Histories Poems and Sonnets Elements of Tragedy, Love, Adventure, Comedy, History and Fairy Tale – all contents of his work

Famous Shakespearean Quotes "To be, or not to be: that is the question” (Hamlet III.I). "This above all: to thine own self be true" (Hamlet I. III). “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” (Julius Caesar III.II). “It was Greek to me” (Julius Caesar I.II). “What’s in a name?” (Romeo and Juliet II.II). “Tempt not a desperate man (Romeo and Juliet V.III). “Parting is such sweet sorrow (Romeo and Juliet II.II). “The course of true love never did run smooth (A Midsummer Night’s Dream I.I). “What’s done is done” (Macbeth III.II). “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble (Macbeth IV.I). I will wear my heart upon my sleeve (Othello I.I). T’is neither here nor there (Othello IV. III).

The Globe Theater Opened in London in 1599 Octagonal in Shape – Metaphor for the World Flags would fly when there was a play White Flag: Comedy Black Flag: Tragedy Red Flag: History Built 3 stories high Trap Doors, Pillars, A Balcony and an Inner Stage Closed in 1644

The Performances Plays were held in the daytime (natural lighting) Open-roof Acting Companies of the 16 th century were made up of men and young boys Stage directions were used to show movement of characters, changes in scenes or time, or to give revealing messages to the audience Actors performed their own stunts and pyrotechnics Globe burned down in 1613 during Henry VIII

The Patrons Plays were open to the general public General admission was 1 cent Groundlings or “stinklings” stood in the center of the theater For 1-2 cents more, patrons could occupy on of the three galleries Vendors and crowds gathered outside of the Globe during performances

The Time – Elizabethan Period The Globe Theater opened during The Elizabethan Period Literacy and the Arts flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I Queen Elizabeth loved Shakespeare’s plays

Romeo and Juliet One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays Tragic romance Written between 1591 and 1595 Early in Shakespeare’s career as a playwright Includes comic elements that turn to tragedy