The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet By: William Shakespeare

Meet Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 Born April 23, 1564 Died April 23, 1616 (age of 52) Died April 23, 1616 (age of 52) Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in England Little is known about Shakespeare Little is known about Shakespeare

Meet Shakespeare Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 on Nov. 28, 1582 (she was 26!) Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 on Nov. 28, 1582 (she was 26!) Daughter Susanna born 6 months later (premarital sex!) Daughter Susanna born 6 months later (premarital sex!) 1 yr. 9 months later, twins Hamnet and Judith were born 1 yr. 9 months later, twins Hamnet and Judith were born Hamnet died at age 11 Hamnet died at age 11

Meet Shakespeare Nicknamed “The Bard” which means poet Nicknamed “The Bard” which means poet Wrote 154 sonnets/poems and 37 plays Wrote 154 sonnets/poems and 37 plays Was an actor, too! Was an actor, too! Considered the greatest writer EVER by most scholars Considered the greatest writer EVER by most scholars

Authorship debate Some people have debated whether William Shakespeare wrote his plays and poems. Some common arguments include: Some people have debated whether William Shakespeare wrote his plays and poems. Some common arguments include: Can one person write that many quality poems/plays in 52 years of life? Can one person write that many quality poems/plays in 52 years of life? Shakespeare never attended University- could he have had such intellect? Shakespeare never attended University- could he have had such intellect? Limited records about his life Limited records about his life

Elizabethan England Shakespeare’s theater company, the Lord Chamberland’s Men, performed twice in front of Queen Elizabeth I Shakespeare’s theater company, the Lord Chamberland’s Men, performed twice in front of Queen Elizabeth I Women not allowed to perform on stage; men played those roles Women not allowed to perform on stage; men played those roles Globe theater Globe theater

Elizabethan England- the language Thou & Thee= you Thou & Thee= you Thy & Thine= your Thy & Thine= your Doth= does Doth= does

Tips on reading Shakespeare: Recognize the layers The narrative story The narrative story The characters The characters The subplots The subplots The language The language The puns The puns The foils The foils The structure The structure

Clarification on literary terms Clarification on literary terms Pun: A play on words that relies on a word’s having more than one meaning or sounding like another word. Pun: A play on words that relies on a word’s having more than one meaning or sounding like another word. Ex. Math teachers have problems. Ex. Math teachers have problems. Foil: character in a work whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the distinctive personality of that character (usually the protagonist). Foil: character in a work whose behavior and values contrast with those of another character in order to highlight the distinctive personality of that character (usually the protagonist). Ex. Bob Ewell is a foil to Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Ex. Bob Ewell is a foil to Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Tips on reading Shakespeare: the structure Iambic- refers to the stress pattern of words; most common in English language– unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable. (This equals one “iambic foot”) Iambic- refers to the stress pattern of words; most common in English language– unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable. (This equals one “iambic foot”) Pentameter (5 iambic feet per line; thus 10 syllables) Pentameter (5 iambic feet per line; thus 10 syllables)

Tips on reading Shakespeare: why the heck does he write like that? The dramatic convention of the day; much the same as Eminem raps in Iambic feet most of the time. The dramatic convention of the day; much the same as Eminem raps in Iambic feet most of the time. Only royalty and so called other upper class character speak in this. Only royalty and so called other upper class character speak in this. Clowns, lower class and “mad men” speak in prose Clowns, lower class and “mad men” speak in prose

Tips on reading Shakespeare: how do I approach it? Recognize that Shakespeare is difficult Recognize that Shakespeare is difficult Recognize that his writing is rich, layered and the best English has to offer. Recognize that his writing is rich, layered and the best English has to offer. Recognize that you need a plan of attack Recognize that you need a plan of attack

Tips on reading Shakespeare: recommendations Read a synopsis of the play; (or, at the very least, read about the characters) Read a synopsis of the play; (or, at the very least, read about the characters) Read a summary of each scene; then, read the original. Read a summary of each scene; then, read the original. You may wish to read an analysis of each scene; however, this may cloud your interpretation. You may wish to read an analysis of each scene; however, this may cloud your interpretation. Read the footnotes! Read the footnotes!

Tips on reading Shakespeare: No Fear Shakespeare Try reading the original play first. NFS takes so much away from play and language. If you are still having trouble, use this site. Try reading the original play first. NFS takes so much away from play and language. If you are still having trouble, use this site. Also, use sparknotes.com for the summary and analysis. Also, use sparknotes.com for the summary and analysis.

Tips on reading Shakespeare: there’s no “right” answer You, as an intelligent and thoughtful reader, are entitled to your interpretations and thoughts. You, as an intelligent and thoughtful reader, are entitled to your interpretations and thoughts. Shakespeare’s plays reveal many, many meanings. Shakespeare’s plays reveal many, many meanings.

Tips on reading Shakespeare: study questions Meant to help you pull out ideas Meant to help you pull out ideas Look for important quotes. Look for important quotes. Shakespeare’s plays are noted for their universal and timeless themes. Shakespeare’s plays are noted for their universal and timeless themes.

Elements of a drama Drama= literature acted in front of an audience by people who play the parts of the characters Drama= literature acted in front of an audience by people who play the parts of the characters Two basic types Two basic types Comedy- work with a happy ending; humorous Comedy- work with a happy ending; humorous Tragedy- involves the downfall of the main character who wins the sympathy of the audience Tragedy- involves the downfall of the main character who wins the sympathy of the audience

Elements of a drama Playwright= author of the play Playwright= author of the play Script= written form of the play that contains stage directions and dialogue Script= written form of the play that contains stage directions and dialogue Dialogue= the speech of actors in the play Dialogue= the speech of actors in the play

Elements of a drama Act= major division of a drama [Shakespeare’s plays contain 5 acts] Act= major division of a drama [Shakespeare’s plays contain 5 acts] Scene= smaller divisions of acts; usually has a new setting [Shakespeare’s acts usually contain 5-6 scenes each] Scene= smaller divisions of acts; usually has a new setting [Shakespeare’s acts usually contain 5-6 scenes each]

Elements of a drama Stage directions= notes provided by the playwright to describe how something should be presented or performed on stage. Stage directions= notes provided by the playwright to describe how something should be presented or performed on stage. Usually found in italics and enclosed in brackets or parenthesis Usually found in italics and enclosed in brackets or parenthesis

Elements of a drama Tragic flaw= a personal failing that leads to the downfall of a central character in a tragedy Tragic flaw= a personal failing that leads to the downfall of a central character in a tragedy Conflict= struggle in the play Conflict= struggle in the play Prologue= introduction to the play Prologue= introduction to the play In Romeo and Juliet it tells the audience how the play will end! In Romeo and Juliet it tells the audience how the play will end!