Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

An Introduction to the Play An Introduction to the Play and the Life of William and the Life of William

ShakespeareShakespeare

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Born in Stratford England in1564 Born in Stratford England in1564 Died 1616Died 1616Married to Anne HathawayMarried to Anne Hathaway3 children, one died at age 113 children, one died at age 11

                      

                          

ShakespeareShakespeare

Acting was not a well respected field Acting was not a well respected field to be in during the 16to be in during the 16thth century. century.

Shakespeare earned a little more Shakespeare earned a little more respect because he also wrote plays. respect because he also wrote plays.

Using the money he made, he Using the money he made, he invested in land in Stratford. These invested in land in Stratford. These investments made him wealthy. investments made him wealthy.

ShakespeareShakespeare

Shakespeare began acting with a Shakespeare began acting with a troupe called Lord Chamberlains troupe called Lord Chamberlains Men.Men.

They later became known as All the They later became known as All the Kings Men. Kings Men.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

It was with this acting troupe that It was with this acting troupe that Shakespeare became part owner in Shakespeare became part owner in the Globe Theatre. the Globe Theatre.

The theatre shown below is not the The theatre shown below is not the original. The original Globe burned in original. The original Globe burned in the fire of 1616.the fire of 1616.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

The Globe is located next to the The Globe is located next to the Thames River in LondonThames River in London

The Thames runs right through the The Thames runs right through the center of London. center of London.

Shakespeare’s Plays Shakespeare’s Plays

Shakespeare’s works can be put in 4 Shakespeare’s works can be put in 4 categories:categories:

HistoricalHistorical- tells about history- tells about historyTragedyTragedy- serious or sad theme; usually a - serious or sad theme; usually a

person or persons destined through a flaw of person or persons destined through a flaw of character or conflict with some stronger force, character or conflict with some stronger force, like fate or society, to downfall or death. like fate or society, to downfall or death.

Comedy- Comedy- a story with a happy or cheerful a story with a happy or cheerful endingending

Poetry/SonnetsPoetry/Sonnets- poems or story poems- poems or story poems

ShakespeareShakespeare

Shakespeare’s plays were also Shakespeare’s plays were also performed in court. Queen Elizabeth I performed in court. Queen Elizabeth I and King James I liked his worksand King James I liked his works

Shakespeare retired from the theater Shakespeare retired from the theater around 1613around 1613

He died on April 23, 1616He died on April 23, 1616 He is buried in Stratford where he He is buried in Stratford where he

was bornwas born

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet

The play The play Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is a is a TragedyTragedy..

In this play we have 2 Italian families In this play we have 2 Italian families that are feuding or fighting. that are feuding or fighting.

The Montagues and Capulets are the The Montagues and Capulets are the names of the families. names of the families.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

Romeo is a Montague Romeo is a Montague

Juliet is a CapuletJuliet is a Capulet

Character TypesCharacter Types

Flat- one dimensional character Flat- one dimensional character embodying only one single trait. embodying only one single trait. Shakespeare’s flat characters provide Shakespeare’s flat characters provide comic relief.comic relief.

Round- has many personality traits, Round- has many personality traits, like a real person.like a real person.

Things we must knowThings we must knowSoliloquy- a lengthy speech in Soliloquy- a lengthy speech in whichwhich a a

character, alone on stage, expresses character, alone on stage, expresses his or her thoughts to the audience; his or her thoughts to the audience; this let’s you know what the character this let’s you know what the character is thinkingis thinking

Aside- a brief remark made by a Aside- a brief remark made by a character to the audience. This remark character to the audience. This remark is unheard by the other characters.is unheard by the other characters.

Paying attention to stage Paying attention to stage directionsdirections

In our book, there are stage In our book, there are stage directions written indirections written in italics. italics.

The stage directions tell us who is The stage directions tell us who is entering or exiting the stage and entering or exiting the stage and what they are doing. what they are doing.

Why read Shakespeare today?• His writings make you think• His writings may challenge how

you view certain things• His writings have inspired many

movies, TV shows, and books• His characters deal with the same

kind of problems we have today

Quick FactsQuick Facts

Author: William ShakespeareAuthor: William Shakespeare Date: written in London in the mid- 1590’sDate: written in London in the mid- 1590’s Type of work: playType of work: play Genre: tragedyGenre: tragedy Setting: during the Renaissance(14th or 15th Setting: during the Renaissance(14th or 15th

century) in Verona and Mantua, Italycentury) in Verona and Mantua, Italy Protagonist: Romeo, JulietProtagonist: Romeo, Juliet Antagonist: the Montague-Capulet feud, Tybalt, Antagonist: the Montague-Capulet feud, Tybalt,

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