Romeo and Juliet An Introduction

Setting Priorities All people believe that certain things are more important in life than other things. Deciding those things is called setting priorities. Shakespeare and other Elizabethans (people who lived while Queen Elizabeth was ruling) knew exactly what their priorities were.

Shakespearean Priorities Everyone had a duty in life to fulfill One did not question those in power such as church, parents, or king. If one did not do exactly as expected in one’s station in life, they were severely punished They believed king/queen ruled by divine appointment (God chose them) so they were not be questioned

Comparing Your Priorities What are your priorities? What are the most important things in your life? Make a diagram like the one above and fill in your priorities. Write 150-200 words that help explain your belief system.

The Characters of Romeo and Juliet

The Capulets Lord Capulet – also called “Capulet,” Juliet’s father and patriarch of Capulet family. Hates Lord Montague. Loves his daughter, but can have a temper. Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. Married young, wants daughter to marry Paris. Juliet – daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet. 13 years old, very naïve. Supposed to marry Paris, but falls for Romeo instead. Trusts only her nurse.

The Capulets continued Tybalt – Juliet’s cousin; very vain, fashionable. Has a temper and can be violent. HATES Montagues. Nurse – Juliet’s “nanny,” who has cared for Juliet her entire life. Funny, loyal, trustworthy, does not understand idealistic love. Peter – Capulet servant, illiterate, invites guests to Capulet party.

The Montagues Lord Montague – aka “Montague,” Romeo’s father, patriarch of Montague family. Hates the Capulets, worries about Romeo being so depressed. Lady Montague – Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. Dies of grief after Romeo is exiled. Romeo – son of Lord and Lady Montague; about 16 years old; Handsome, intelligent, sensitive; idealistic, immature, passionate. Madly in love with Rosaline until he meets Juliet.

The Montagues continued Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin; thoughtful friend to Romeo, tries to be a peacemaker in public, tries to get Romeo’s mind off of Rosaline. Balthasar – Romeo’s servant, brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that it is fake. Abram – Montague’s servant

The Others Prince Escalus – Prince of Verona. Related to Mercutio and Paris; wants to maintain peace at all times. Mercutio – Related to the prince, Romeo’s best friend. Witty, imaginative, hotheaded, thinks Romeo is too idealistic. Friar John – supposed to tell Romeo about Juliet’s false death but is quarantined. The news never reaches Romeo.

The Others continued Friar Lawrence – friend of Romeo and Juliet. Kind, peace-minded, always has a plan, secretly performs marriage ceremony for Romeo and Juliet, hoping for peace in Verona. Count Paris – Related to the prince, suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet, acts as if he and Juliet are already married when Capulet says he can marry her. An Apothecary – druggist, sold poison to Romeo

Whose House Am I? Montagues Romeo Father and Lady Montague Mercutio-friend to Romeo Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin Balthasar-Romeo’s servant Capulets Juliet Father and Lady Capulet Nurse Tybalt-Juliet’s cousin Sampson, Gregory, Peter-servants Unaffiliated Friar Lawrence-marries R & J Apothecary-Gives poison to Romeo Paris-Juliet’s fiancé

Tableaus Symbolic representations People pose and freeze in a way that shows relationships among characters in a symbolic way Example-Father Capulet is standing above and in the middle of Romeo and Juliet as they look at each other lovingly but at a distance Explanation-Father stands above because he is in a position of authority and respect. He stands in the middle because he is trying to come between the couple’s love. R & J are at a distance from one another because their families want to force them apart

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

Montagues

Capulets

Others

Look for… Puns Allusions Metaphor Personification Oxymorons Paradoxes Foreshadowing

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.

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)

Paradoxes A paradox is statement or situation with seemingly contradictory or incompatible components. Juliet – “O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!” (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)

Themes Light and dark Time Fate

Light and Dark Look for references to light and dark: References to “light” words, such as “torches,” “the sun,” adjectives that describe light (“bright”) References to “dark” words, such as “night” and “gloom”

Time Look for references to time: References to “time” words, such as “hours” References to the passage of time, especially if it seems “rushed”

Fate Look for references to fate: Look for instances where events are blamed on “fate,” “destiny,” or “the stars”

The End

Michele Douglas Graves County High School Introduction to Romeo and Juliet Presented November 2002

William Shakeapeare’s Life and Times

Hall’s Croft Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon Son of John & Mary Arden Similar to the home young Shakespeare may have grown up in.

William Shakespeare Grammar School 1583 Married Anne Hathaway Susanna, Hamnet, Judith Seven Dark Years

London in 1600’s Conditions in London were not pleasant. Homes of the poor were small and dirty Sewage ran in open ditches in the streets Overcrowding and unemployment were major problems.

London Bridge Heads of traitors were displayed on pikes on the city’s main bridge.

The New Globe

The Globe Located on the south bank of the Thames The most famous London Playhouse Owned by the Burbage family Flew a flag to announce a performance Acting companies used boys to play female roles. Shakespeare was a member of Lord Chamberlain’s Company. Later called the King’s Men.

The wealthy’s view of the stage

“The Heavens” as seen by the groundlings

Objections to Theaters Large assemblies of people Spread diseases Guilt by association Theaters were often located outside the city walls to avoid censor by London’s Lord Mayor.

Romeo and Juliet Written in 1599 Celebrates the passion of youthful love Dates back to 400 AD in a Greek Romance Feud--a prolonged conflict between families. The feud is so old that the cause has been forgotten.

The Balcony Scene “Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo?” Remember: Wherefore means “Why”

Star Crossed Lovers Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. In a tragedy many of the main characters die.

The End