An Introduction to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet What kind of play is it? Is it a Comedy? Is it a Comedy? History? History? Tragedy? Tragedy? Setting: Verona, Italy

Action! Capulet’s party Bloody sword fights & poison Sometimes seems like a comedy However, since it is a tragedy...

Themes Love Force of love, love to hate Powerful, raw emotion (not greeting card love) Violence/death Fate vs. freewill What is fate? Can a person change or control his/her own fate?

Themes/Motifs Impulsive behavior vs. self-control Spontaneous characters and their actions (Romeo, Tybalt, etc.) Think before acting? –Not seen too often! Parental control vs. rebellious teens Going against family’s beliefs

Quotes from Act I, Scene I “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?” – Abram to Sampson & Gregory (Capulet servants) “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?” – Abram to Sampson & Gregory (Capulet servants) “A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?” – Lady Capulet to Capulet “A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?” – Lady Capulet to Capulet “If ever you disturb our streets again,/ “If ever you disturb our streets again,/ Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” -Prince to Montague & Capulet

Sticky Note Time Identify a theme from Romeo and Juliet. Write it on the sticky note. Identify a group leader to take a cookie tray.

Important Characters What is a protagonist? The main or leading character The main or leading character Identify the Male Protagonist: Romeo Montague Romeo Montague Identify the Female Protagonist: Juliet Capulet Juliet Capulet

Who are the two families of Romeo and Juliet? The families have fought and hated each other for years. Vs.

Montague Capulet Romeo Romeo Montague & Lady Montague Montague & Lady Montague Benvolio Benvolio Mercutio Mercutio Abram Abram Juliet Juliet Capulet & Lady Capulet Capulet & Lady Capulet Nurse Nurse Tybalt Tybalt Peter, Sampson, Gregory Peter, Sampson, Gregory Rosaline Rosaline

Montague Family & Friends Romeo Romeo Impulsive male protagonist, full of emotions Impulsive male protagonist, full of emotions Montague, Lady Montague Montague, Lady Montague Romeo’s parents, concerned about Romeo but relatively stay out of situation Romeo’s parents, concerned about Romeo but relatively stay out of situation Benvolio Benvolio Romeo’s peace-keeping cousin Romeo’s peace-keeping cousin Mercutio Mercutio Romeo’s good, fun-loving friend Romeo’s good, fun-loving friend

Capulet Family & Friends Juliet Juliet Young female protagonist, daughter of a wealthy family Young female protagonist, daughter of a wealthy family Capulet, Lady Capulet Capulet, Lady Capulet Lady Capulet is an inexperienced mother (had Juliet very young), Capulet is of older age now Lady Capulet is an inexperienced mother (had Juliet very young), Capulet is of older age now the Nurse, Peter the Nurse, Peter Juliet’s caretaker since birth, very close to Juliet— possibly closer to Juliet than Lady Capulet Juliet’s caretaker since birth, very close to Juliet— possibly closer to Juliet than Lady Capulet Tybalt Tybalt Juliet’s hot-headed cousin, very impulsive Juliet’s hot-headed cousin, very impulsive Sampson/Gregory Sampson/Gregory Capulet’s servants, provoke fight Capulet’s servants, provoke fight

Additional Characters Friar Laurence Friar Laurence close to Romeo, somewhat like a monk close to Romeo, somewhat like a monk Paris Paris Juliet’s suitor, interested in marrying her regardless of her young age Juliet’s suitor, interested in marrying her regardless of her young age Rosaline Rosaline Young woman who Romeo is initially interested in, niece of Capulet Young woman who Romeo is initially interested in, niece of Capulet Prince Prince Prince of Verona, wants peace in his city Prince of Verona, wants peace in his city