Romeo and Juliet Presented By: Jennifer Theakston

Romeo and Juliet What is a Prologue? In this case, a prologue is a general overview of the story to come. Interesting Fact: The prologue is written in Iambic Pentameter, a popular form of poetry in Shakespeare's time.

Basic Romeo and Juliet Information Themes in the text: Enduring Love Fueding Familys Defying Parents Predetermined Fate Main Characters: Romeo Montegue Juliet Capulet Location: Verona, Italy _IV_V.jpg

Why Bother With A Prologue? Modern taste prefers not to be told right at the beginning of a play how it will end; but many in Shakespeare's audience already knew the story and were looking to enjoy how well it was told, not seeking to be surprised by original plot turns.

Prologue: So What Does It Mean? Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 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; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which but their children's end naught could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Two families, the same in almost every respect, In the town of Verona, Italy, where this play is set, Continue an old feud with new breakouts of violence, Involving and killing citizens outside the families. The son of one family and the daughter of the other, Having become lovers, commit suicide, Following a series of events that keep them apart. Their deaths cause the families to end the feud. The events that lead to their suicide, As well as the continuing feud between the families, (which nothing but their children’s death could end), Will now be performed on this stage for two hours. If you listen to the play attentively, any details you Missed in this introduction, will be explained as you watch the play. Translation and original text from enotes.com Shakespearean TextModern Translation Classwork