The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet By: William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Time Elizabethan England Elizabeth I was 25 years old when she became the Queen of England in 1558 Elizabeth I was 25 years old when she became the Queen of England in 1558 Reigned for 45 years until her death in 1603 Reigned for 45 years until her death in 1603 During this time, England emerged as a political power and made many cultural achievements During this time, England emerged as a political power and made many cultural achievements Last half of the century became known as the “Elizabethan Era” Last half of the century became known as the “Elizabethan Era”

Society Very class conscious Very class conscious Believed in the ‘Great Chain of Being” Believed in the ‘Great Chain of Being” God God Monarch Monarch Aristocracy – land owners Aristocracy – land owners Professional – priests, lawyers etc. Professional – priests, lawyers etc. Merchants – shop owners Merchants – shop owners Trades men – blacksmiths Trades men – blacksmiths Peasants Peasants

Women Formal education of girls was not encouraged Formal education of girls was not encouraged Those who were educated focused on chastity and the skills of housewifery Those who were educated focused on chastity and the skills of housewifery Would assume the social class of her husband Would assume the social class of her husband

Women Women must obey their fathers and then their husbands Women must obey their fathers and then their husbands Rarely left their homes, except to go to church Rarely left their homes, except to go to church

Marriage With parental permission, boys are legal to marry at 14, girls at 12 With parental permission, boys are legal to marry at 14, girls at 12 Marriage contracts were usually provided Marriage contracts were usually provided Includes brides dowry and settlement of cash and/or property by husbands family Includes brides dowry and settlement of cash and/or property by husbands family It was generally considered foolish to marry for love It was generally considered foolish to marry for love Wives are the property of their husbands Wives are the property of their husbands

‘Billy’ and his Theatre Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon Was well established in the theatre by the time that he was 20 Was well established in the theatre by the time that he was 20 Became famous as an actor and author Became famous as an actor and author Became part owner of the Globe Theatre in 1599 Became part owner of the Globe Theatre in 1599

The Globe Theatre Where Shakespeare’s plays were performed Where Shakespeare’s plays were performed Plays performed during the day because there was not lighting Plays performed during the day because there was not lighting No scenery on the stage except for a balcony No scenery on the stage except for a balcony

The Globe Theatre Plays were always about the rich and included a ‘party scene’ Plays were always about the rich and included a ‘party scene’ Poor people sat in the front in the ‘pit’, rich people had seats around the side Poor people sat in the front in the ‘pit’, rich people had seats around the side People brought their own food People brought their own food Favorite food was Hazelnuts Favorite food was Hazelnuts Women were not allowed to perform on stage; female roles were played by men Women were not allowed to perform on stage; female roles were played by men

The Play Terms Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter, used when nobles speak Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter, used when nobles speak Rhyming Verse: used when something emotional or highly important is happening Rhyming Verse: used when something emotional or highly important is happening Prose: everyday language used when the commoners are speaking Prose: everyday language used when the commoners are speaking

The Play Terms Aside: Character talks directly to the audience while the cast ‘doesn’t’ hear it Aside: Character talks directly to the audience while the cast ‘doesn’t’ hear it Dramatic Foil: A character that is present to bring out the characteristics of another character Dramatic Foil: A character that is present to bring out the characteristics of another character Benvolio – Brings out Tybalt’s anger Benvolio – Brings out Tybalt’s anger Nurse – is ‘dirty’, brings out Juliet’s innocence Nurse – is ‘dirty’, brings out Juliet’s innocence

The Play Terms Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows more than the characters Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows more than the characters Soliloquy: When the character is alone on stage talking to the audience Soliloquy: When the character is alone on stage talking to the audience Monologue: A long speech given from one character to another Monologue: A long speech given from one character to another

Terms Fatal Flaw- Main characters in all of Shakespeare’s tragedies have one— The big character flaw that causes the character’s downfall Fatal Flaw- Main characters in all of Shakespeare’s tragedies have one— The big character flaw that causes the character’s downfall R&J’s flaw: Impulsiveness—acting without thinking R&J’s flaw: Impulsiveness—acting without thinking

The Play Scene: Verona and Mantua, cities in northern Italy Scene: Verona and Mantua, cities in northern Italy Based around a feud between two families that has lasted for generations Based around a feud between two families that has lasted for generations

The Play Characters THE MONTAGUES THE MONTAGUES Lord Montague Lord Montague Lady Montague Lady Montague Romeo – Son of Montague Romeo – Son of Montague Benvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo Benvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo Balthasar – Servant of Romeo Balthasar – Servant of Romeo Abram – servant of Montague Abram – servant of Montague

The Play Characters THE CAPULETS THE CAPULETS Lord Capulet Lord Capulet Lady Capulet Lady Capulet Juliet – daughter of Capulet Juliet – daughter of Capulet Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet Nurse – to Juliet Nurse – to Juliet Peter – servant to the Nurse Peter – servant to the Nurse Sampson and Gregory – servants of Capulet Sampson and Gregory – servants of Capulet

The Play Characters THE OTHERS THE OTHERS Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona Mercutio – relative of the Prince and friend of Romeo Mercutio – relative of the Prince and friend of Romeo Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest Friar John – a Franciscan priest Friar John – a Franciscan priest Count Paris – young nobleman, relative of the Prince Count Paris – young nobleman, relative of the Prince

Act I The Prologue: The Prologue: Chorus: a tradition from Greek Theater, would come out in each act and preview the act and make sure everyone got the lesson. Chorus: a tradition from Greek Theater, would come out in each act and preview the act and make sure everyone got the lesson. Shakespeare uses it in only two acts Shakespeare uses it in only two acts

Act I cont… The Houses of Montague and Capulet have been feuding for years. The Houses of Montague and Capulet have been feuding for years. The employees of the House of Capulet pick a fight w/ employees of the House of Montague. The employees of the House of Capulet pick a fight w/ employees of the House of Montague. It turns into a Brawl It turns into a Brawl The Prince is furious The Prince is furious The next time there is a fight, the participants will be put to death The next time there is a fight, the participants will be put to death

Act I Romeo is depressed Romeo is depressed He is in love with Rosaline—who has vowed to live chaste (no sex) He is in love with Rosaline—who has vowed to live chaste (no sex) Juliet’s father is considering the request for Juliet’s hand in Marriage from Paris Juliet’s father is considering the request for Juliet’s hand in Marriage from Paris

Act I cont… Lord Capulet is giving a party Lord Capulet is giving a party Juliet is to meet Paris there Juliet is to meet Paris there Romeo’s friends take him to the party to cheer him up Romeo’s friends take him to the party to cheer him up Tybalt sees Romeo at the party and becomes enraged Tybalt sees Romeo at the party and becomes enraged

Act I cont… Tybalt vows to get Romeo later Tybalt vows to get Romeo later Romeo and Juliet fall in love immediately Romeo and Juliet fall in love immediately They, then, realize that they have fallen for their parents “great enemy” They, then, realize that they have fallen for their parents “great enemy” Poetic term: Oxymoron— a statement that contradicts itself. Ex: Loving hate, sick health Poetic term: Oxymoron— a statement that contradicts itself. Ex: Loving hate, sick health

Act II Romeo climbs into Juliet’s orchard Romeo climbs into Juliet’s orchard He overhears her on the balcony (extremely famous scene) He overhears her on the balcony (extremely famous scene) She finds out he is there She finds out he is there They talk and agree to marry They talk and agree to marry

Act II cont… Romeo goes to his priest, Friar Lawrence, and asks him to perform the ceremony Romeo goes to his priest, Friar Lawrence, and asks him to perform the ceremony The Friar agrees The Friar agrees Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a fight Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a fight Romeo and Juliet marry Romeo and Juliet marry

Act III Mercutio and Benvolio meet Tybalt in the street and a fight begins Mercutio and Benvolio meet Tybalt in the street and a fight begins Romeo shows up and Tybalt tries to fight Romeo—Romeo refuses. Romeo shows up and Tybalt tries to fight Romeo—Romeo refuses. Mercutio fights and is killed Mercutio fights and is killed

Act III Romeo becomes enraged and kills Tybalt Romeo becomes enraged and kills Tybalt The Prince banishes Romeo The Prince banishes Romeo Juliet is crushed by Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment Juliet is crushed by Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment

Act III The Friar arranges for Romeo and Juliet to have their wedding night The Friar arranges for Romeo and Juliet to have their wedding night Romeo goes to live in Mantua until the Friar can work something out Romeo goes to live in Mantua until the Friar can work something out The lovers have their wedding night The lovers have their wedding night

Act III Romeo leaves for Mantua Romeo leaves for Mantua Lord Capulet agrees to have Paris marry Juliet Lord Capulet agrees to have Paris marry Juliet Juliet begs her parents to change their minds—they refuse Juliet begs her parents to change their minds—they refuse

Act IV Juliet goes to the Friar and tells him she will commit suicide before she will marry Paris Juliet goes to the Friar and tells him she will commit suicide before she will marry Paris The Friar gives Juliet a potion that will put her into such a deep sleep that she will appear to be dead The Friar gives Juliet a potion that will put her into such a deep sleep that she will appear to be dead

Act IV The friar will send for Romeo to come and get Juliet in the tomb The friar will send for Romeo to come and get Juliet in the tomb Juliet takes the potion Juliet takes the potion Her parents find her “dead” and they bury her. Her parents find her “dead” and they bury her.

Act V Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead Balthasar tells Romeo that Juliet is dead The messenger the Friar sent is unable to deliver the message The messenger the Friar sent is unable to deliver the message Romeo buys poison and rushes to Juliet’s tomb Romeo buys poison and rushes to Juliet’s tomb He meets Paris in the graveyard He meets Paris in the graveyard

Act V Paris tries to arrest Romeo Paris tries to arrest Romeo Romeo kills him Romeo kills him Romeo goes into the tomb and kisses Juliet goodbye and drinks the poison Romeo goes into the tomb and kisses Juliet goodbye and drinks the poison The Friar shows up at the tomb The Friar shows up at the tomb

Act V Juliet wakes up Juliet wakes up The police come The police come The Friar tries to get Juliet to leave the tomb with him The Friar tries to get Juliet to leave the tomb with him She refuses She refuses He leaves He leaves She stabs herself She stabs herself

Act V The Prince shows up and asks for an explanation The Prince shows up and asks for an explanation The Capulets and Lord Montague show up The Capulets and Lord Montague show up Lady Montague has died of a broken heart Lady Montague has died of a broken heart The friar tells the whole story The friar tells the whole story

Act V The Montagues and Capulets make up The Montagues and Capulets make up Capulet will have Romeo buried next to Juliet Capulet will have Romeo buried next to Juliet Montaque will build a statue of Juliet in pure gold Montaque will build a statue of Juliet in pure gold

The End “Never has there been a story of such woe/ As that of Juliet and her Romeo” (V,iii, ). “Never has there been a story of such woe/ As that of Juliet and her Romeo” (V,iii, ).

Theme “Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet demonstrates how dangerous acting impulsively is. “Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet demonstrates how dangerous acting impulsively is.

Theme Shakespeare poignantly illustrates how destructive prejudice can be in his play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare poignantly illustrates how destructive prejudice can be in his play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Movie Comparison: Which do you Prefer?

The Modern Version’s First Fight The Modern Version’s First Fight

Musical Balcony Scene

Modern Balcony Scene