1. Romeo and Juliet A few notes

2. Story history Possibly based on a true Italian story from the 1300s Possibly based on a true Italian story from the 1300s Became an Italian folk story Became an Italian folk story Arthur Brooks wrote a poem “The Tragical Historye of Romeus and Juliet” (1562) Arthur Brooks wrote a poem “The Tragical Historye of Romeus and Juliet” (1562)

3. Changes 3,000 line poem 3,000 line poem 9 months 9 months Juliet- 16 Juliet- 16 Mercutio and Nurse have small roles Mercutio and Nurse have small roles Warning to teens Warning to teens Drama-Play Drama-Play 5 days 5 days Juliet- 13 Juliet- 13 They have larger, comedic roles They have larger, comedic roles Sympathetic Sympathetic

4. Setting 1300s 1300s Verona, Italy Verona, Italy Five days Five days

5. Conflict External External Rivalry between two rich, feuding families- Capulets and Montagues Rivalry between two rich, feuding families- Capulets and Montagues Why? It’s not explained. Why? It’s not explained.

6. Characters- The Capulets Lord and Lady Capulet- Juliet’s parents Lord and Lady Capulet- Juliet’s parents Juliet- The Capulet’s only child, 13 years old Juliet- The Capulet’s only child, 13 years old The Nurse- Juliet’s wet nurse/nanny/confidant The Nurse- Juliet’s wet nurse/nanny/confidant Tybalt- Juliet’s cousin Tybalt- Juliet’s cousin

7. The Montagues- Enemies of the Capulets Lord and Lady Montague Lord and Lady Montague Romeo- Their only child, probably 17 Romeo- Their only child, probably 17 Benvolio- Romeo’s cousin/friend Benvolio- Romeo’s cousin/friend

8. Other important characters Mercutio- Romeo’s best friend Mercutio- Romeo’s best friend Paris- The man Juliet’s parents want her to marry Paris- The man Juliet’s parents want her to marry Prince- Ruler of Verona; cousin to Mercutio and Paris Prince- Ruler of Verona; cousin to Mercutio and Paris Friar Lawrence- Religious friend to Romeo; friars are Catholic and like monks, but they do not live in a convent Friar Lawrence- Religious friend to Romeo; friars are Catholic and like monks, but they do not live in a convent

9. Foils- Characters that are opposites Romeo- Romantic and Idealistic Romeo- Romantic and Idealistic Benvolio- Tries to stop fights Benvolio- Tries to stop fights Juliet- Innocent Juliet- Innocent Mercutio- Silly/perverted & realistic Mercutio- Silly/perverted & realistic Tybalt- Tries to start fights Tybalt- Tries to start fights Nurse- Experienced Nurse- Experienced

10. 3 speeches Monologue- 1 character gives a long speech, others listen Monologue- 1 character gives a long speech, others listen Soliloquy- 1 character gives a long speech alone on stage Soliloquy- 1 character gives a long speech alone on stage Aside- whisper to the audience that other characters do not hear Aside- whisper to the audience that other characters do not hear

11. Exposition- Act I Setting- 1300s Verona, Itlay Setting- 1300s Verona, Itlay Capulets and Montagues fight in the streets; Prince threatens. Capulets and Montagues fight in the streets; Prince threatens. Romeo Montague loves Rosaline; Juliet Capulet’s parents want her to marry Paris. Romeo Montague loves Rosaline; Juliet Capulet’s parents want her to marry Paris. R & J meet and fall in love at Cap. Ball. R & J meet and fall in love at Cap. Ball.

12. Rising Action- Act 2 Still Day 1: Mercutio and Benvolio think Romeo still likes Rosaline. Still Day 1: Mercutio and Benvolio think Romeo still likes Rosaline. Romeo and Juliet have the “balcony scene” and plan to wed. End of Day one. Romeo and Juliet have the “balcony scene” and plan to wed. End of Day one. Day 2 begins: Comic relief from Mercutio and the Nurse. Day 2 begins: Comic relief from Mercutio and the Nurse. Romeo and Juliet go to Friar Lawrence & get married off stage. Romeo and Juliet go to Friar Lawrence & get married off stage.

13. Tragic flaw The flaw/weakness that leads to a tragic hero’s downfall. The flaw/weakness that leads to a tragic hero’s downfall. Romeo and Juliet are impulsive; they did not think before they act. Romeo and Juliet are impulsive; they did not think before they act. List times when Romeo and Juliet have acted on impulse. Add on to the list as we read. List times when Romeo and Juliet have acted on impulse. Add on to the list as we read.

14. Climax- Act 3 Still Day 2: T. kills M., who curses both families. R. kills T. and runs to Friar to hide. Prince punishes R. by making him leave Verona. Still Day 2: T. kills M., who curses both families. R. kills T. and runs to Friar to hide. Prince punishes R. by making him leave Verona. Capulets plan for J. to marry Paris in three days. R & J have wedding night. Capulets plan for J. to marry Paris in three days. R & J have wedding night. Day 3: J. refuses to marry Paris; her parents threaten to disown her. Day 3: J. refuses to marry Paris; her parents threaten to disown her.

15. Falling Action- Act 4 Still Day 3: Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence for “confession,” but really to ask the friar for help in not marrying Paris. She threatens suicide. Still Day 3: Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence for “confession,” but really to ask the friar for help in not marrying Paris. She threatens suicide. Friar gives Juliet a sleeping potion. Friar gives Juliet a sleeping potion. Capulet changes the wedding to tomorrow. Capulet changes the wedding to tomorrow. Juliet a freaks out and takes the potion. Juliet a freaks out and takes the potion. Day 4: “Dead” Juliet is found. Day 4: “Dead” Juliet is found.

16. Denouement- Act 5 Still Day 4: In Mantua, Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead. Romeo buys poison and heads to Verona. Still Day 4: In Mantua, Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead. Romeo buys poison and heads to Verona. Friar Lawrence learns Romeo didn’t get the letter and heads to the tomb. Friar Lawrence learns Romeo didn’t get the letter and heads to the tomb. Romeo breaks in, kills Paris, and drinks poison. Romeo breaks in, kills Paris, and drinks poison. Juliet wakes up and stabs herself. Juliet wakes up and stabs herself. Day 5: Families find the bodies and end the feud. Day 5: Families find the bodies and end the feud.