Answer the following questions Why do you think we are still reading a play this old today? Do you think that the story of Romeo & Juliet could be important to your life today as a teenager? Why or why not? Define “tragedy” in your own words Give an example from real life (from the news, your life, or someone else’s life). What does “tragic love” mean? Give an example of “tragic love” from stories, movies, or TV shows. Answer the following questions In FULL sentences

TRAGEDY An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe

Conventions of a Shakespearean tragedy The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet By: William Shakespeare

Definition of a tragedy a tragedy can be defined as a serious work with the downfall of an otherwise heroic figure

Shakespearean tragedy checklist Dramatic Work Play Serious or somber theme The first two acts unfold like a classic "comedy" Dirty jokes, slapstick humor, and lovers struggling to be together Theme becomes “somber” from the events that occur Hero has a major flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force Long-standing family feud Hero is destined for destruction or downfall Prologue Always ends in death, but promises continuity

Exposition – Act i Describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play Time and place will be identified Main characters introduced, their positions, circumstances, and relationships to one another introduced as well

Exciting force Also sometimes called the complication or initial incident This is what “gets things going” Begins the conflict which will continue throughout the play

Rising action – act ii Series of events which lead up to the climax Provides a building intensity of interest for the audience Normally involves more than one act

Climax – act iii Represents the turning point of the play From this point on, the hero moves towards an inevitable end

Falling action – act iv Includes events occurring from the time of the climax to the hero’s death Actions will show both advances and declines in the various forces acting upon the hero Falling action events will occur in more than one act

Denouement/resolution/Catastrophe – act v Concerns the NECESSARY consequences of the hero’s previous actions Will be simple and brief

Analysis of writing: Romeo & Juliet Tone Writing Style Romantic, Passionate, Violent Epic, Passionate, Poetic Blank Verse Prose Commoners

Literary Terms for Writing Aside Term used in drama and theater Occurs a character's dialogue is spoken but not heard by the other actors on the stage Useful for giving the audience special information about the other characters onstage or the action of the plot Soliloquy Device often used in drama Reveals the innermost thoughts of a character Used to convey the progress of action of the play by means of expressing a character’s thoughts about a certain character or past, present or upcoming event while talking to himself without acknowledging the presence of any other person

Blank verse A poem written in unrhymed Iambic Pentameter Iamb: an unaccented syllable followed by an accented one (da DUM). Penta: five Iambic Pentameter is a rhythmic pattern that consists of 5 iambs per line. - / - / - / - / - / But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?

Setting Verona, Italy Setting is vague Neutral place – Friar Lawrence’s church Romeo Masculine world – almost always in the streets Juliet Feminine world – almost always in her bedroom

Symbolism, allegory and Imagery Thumb biting Sex and death Oxymoron and paradox Plants and poison Queen Mab Light in Darkness Night Love Death

Themes The forcefulness of love Love vs. Hate Youth Fate vs. Free will Individual vs. Society Love as a cause of violence

Major players The Cast of Romeo & Juliet

The montagues The capulets Romeo Montague Romeo’s Dad Lady Romeo’s mother Mercutio Romeo’s best friend Benvolio Romeo’s cousin The capulets juliet Capulet Juliet’s father Lady Mother Tybalt cousin Nurse nanny

The Peacemakers: The Prince of Verona: Friar Lawrence: This ruler tries to mediate between the feuding families. He is pretty tired of all the bloodshed caused by their “ancient grudge.” Friar Lawrence: Respected as a holy man by both sides Would like to see them reconciled Interested in medicinal herbs too - becomes important later.

The Chorus Not a part of the action A speaker who comes onstage to make comments on the action As far as the characters know, the chorus doesn’t exist Purpose is to explain things to the reader