Romeo and Juliet

By: William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

April 23 1564-April 23, 1616 (52nd Birthday)

Married Anne Hathaway at age 18. She is believed to have been 26.

Three children: son-Hamnet, daughters-Susanna and Judith

Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets (comedies/tragedies)

Elizabethan Age (1558-1603)

Queen Elizabeth I –supported the English culture

Renaissance: Renewed interest in science, philosophy, and the arts. Placed an emphasis on the individual and freedom of choice

Globe Theatre- affordable entertainment

Chamberlain’s Men/King’s Men Shakespeare acted in his

own plays occasionally

Thanks to Shakespeare….

Assassination

Lonely

Addiction

Swagger

“dead as a doornail”

“laughing-stock”

“the green-eyed monster”

“for goodness’ sake”

“good riddance”

“love is blind”

“break the ice”

“fight fire with fire”

“wear your heart on your sleeve”

Terms to know…

Blank verse- unrhymed poetry

Soliloquy- speech a character gives when he or she is alone on stage. This lets the audience know what the character is thinking.

Aside-words spoken by an actor supposedly heard only by the audience.

Dramatic irony- when the audience knows something the characters do not.

Literary Devices

Personification

Rhyme (couplet)

Oxymoron

Hyperbole

Foreshadowing

Pun

Allusion

Irony

Metaphor

Simile

Motifs

Light/Dark Imagery : visual motif (example: night/day) Light is not always good, and dark is not

always evil. On the contrary, light and dark are generally used to provide a sensory contrast and to hint at opposed alternatives

Opposite Points of View: other characters speeches and scenes (Ex: Mercutio and servants)

Aristotle’s Elements of Drama

Tragedy has six parts: Plot: The MOST important Characters: Good, but not too good Diction: Language used to give information,

establish mood and tone Thought: Theme or idea Melody: Sound of the dialogue (rhythm/pace) Spectacle: Visual elements like scenery,

costumes, special effects, etc.

Tragic Hero

Four Characteristics Is a flawed character with some goodness but

suffers a downfall due to a tragic flaw. (Hubris: excessive pride carried to the point of foolishness)

Is usually protagonist of the play. Is of noble birth and/or exhibits wisdom Suffers a reversal of fortune brought on by his

tragic flaw/error in judgment. (Moral consequences as a result to actions)

Gustav Freytag , a critic of Greek and Shakespearean drama, came up with afive act dramatic structure.

ACT I-contains the exposition, introduces the characters and settingACT II-complicates the problem created by the inciting incidentACT III- is the climax, in which the fortunes of the protagonist reverse. ACT IV- the results of the protagonist's turn of fortune plays out; this may end with a final moment of suspense, such as a confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist which puts the final outcome in doubt.ACT V- documents the consequences of the resolution, and ties-up any secondary plots

Montague Family

Romeo- Main character, young man who in the beginning is in love with Rosaline but after seeing Juliet falls madly in love with her

Benvolio- Good friend of Romeo; sidekick

Mercutio- Good friend of Romeo; sidekick 

Lord and Lady Montague- Romeo’s parents, hate the Capulets 

The Capulets

Juliet- Main girl character, young woman who is supposed to marry Paris even though she has never even met him

Lord and Lady Capulet- Juliet’s parents, working on setting Juliet up with Paris, want their daughter to marry someone from a prominent family they like

Tybalt- Juliet’s cousin, Lord and Lady Capulet’s nephew; protective of Juliet, hates the Montagues

Middle People

Nurse- Juliet’s “nanny”, nursed Juliet when she was younger, has taken care of her since birth 

Friar Laurence- Priest, marries Romeo and Juliet because he believes it will bring peace between the two families 

Prince Escallas- Head of Verona, Italy, states that death will be the penalty if the city’s peace is again disrupted by their feud (related to Montague) 

Count Paris- Who Juliet is supposed to marry, meeting her at the party