1. The Prologue
To become familiar with Shakespearean tragedy and the concept of a Tragic Hero
To understand the purpose of the prologue

2. Five Acts of Tragedy Act 1 – The Exposition Act 2 – The Development
Introduction of characters, setting, and plan
Act 2 – The Development
A plan is developing, affecting all characters
Act 3 – The Climax
A big event happens that changes everything
Act 4 – Further Development
Events happen because of the change
Act 5 – Final Crisis
A final big event happens that ends the story

3. Shakespearean Tragedy
A play with an unhappy ending, usually involving the downfall of the main character, also known as the Tragic Hero.
Exposition & Rising Action
Falling Action & Resolution
Acts 4 & 5
Climax
Acts 1 & 2
Act 3
The story starts in an ordered society, with the Hero being a respected member of society.
The Hero comes into a direct and final conflict, usually resulting in his death.
At the very end, a new hope is presented for the future.
Extreme and often violent events take place, usually resulting in a character's death.
The characters’ personalities and relationships are changed.

4. The Tragic Hero
Begins as a respectable, well-liked member of society often of a higher class
The Hero has a Tragic Flaw – a characteristic that at first may seem harmless, but will lead to the Hero’s downfall
The Hero has an encounter with a character that changes their priorities, attitudes, and overall behaviour
The Hero is consumed by the encounter, and starts committing questionable acts
The Hero commits an unforgivable actions which changes the lives of the Hero and everyone around them
The Hero loses control over their thoughts and actions, becoming a despicable member of society, almost a villain
In their final confrontation with their opposing forces, the Hero gives in to their Tragic Flaw, faces his mistakes, and dies

5. Romeo’s Downfall
Turn from hero to villain
Progression of the play

6. The Prologue
    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;     Whole misadventured piteous overthrows     Do 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, nought 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.

7. Their deaths end the feud
The Prologue
of equal status
    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;     Whole misadventured piteous overthrows     Do 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, nought 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.
fresh hatred
civilised
Their deaths end the feud
ill-fated
unlucky
except
business
fail
improve

8. Modern Day Prologue
Translate your group’s allocated lines into modern English. Group 1  Lines 1 – 3 Group 2  Lines 4 – 6 Group 3  Lines 7 – 9 Group 4  Lines 10 – 12 Group 5 Lines 13 – 14

9. Quick Questions How many families are involved in this play?
Are they rich or poor? How do you know?
What do you understand by the phrase ‘ancient grudge’?
How do you know there is violence between the families?
Who are the lovers?
What happens to them?
What do you understand by the term ‘piteous’?
What has put an end to, and buried, their parents strife?
Who does the speaker mean when they say ‘you’?

10. Re-read the prologue and make a list of the positive and negative words under the correct column.

11. Analysis of the Prologue
What is noticeable about the amount of positive and negative words used?
How does the language used set the tone for the rest of the play?
Why does Shakespeare use opposites?

12. Writing Task
How does Shakespeare present love and conflict in the prologue for Romeo and Juliet?