Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare

Born April 26 th, 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, England Born April 26 th, 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, England Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613 Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613 Wrote 38 plays Wrote 38 plays 154 sonnets 154 sonnets 2 poems 2 poems

Part 1: Elizabethan Stage

Elizabethan Stage London was the center for theater London was the center for theater Attracted the rich and the poor to watch Attracted the rich and the poor to watch

Globe Theatre 3 story wooden structure with an open air courtyard in the center 3 story wooden structure with an open air courtyard in the center The groundlings, or the pit, refers to the poorer audience members. The groundlings, or the pit, refers to the poorer audience members. Poor would pay one penny (which was almost an entire day's wage) to stand in front of the stage. Poor would pay one penny (which was almost an entire day's wage) to stand in front of the stage. Held 3,000 people Held 3,000 people **THIS PART NOT IN NOTES: **THIS PART NOT IN NOTES: Audience cheered, booed, and threw rotten vegetables Audience cheered, booed, and threw rotten vegetables Had no curtains, no lighting, and little scenery Had no curtains, no lighting, and little scenery Sound effects let the audience know where a scene took place Sound effects let the audience know where a scene took place

NO Women In Shakespeare’s day, no women belonged to acting companies In Shakespeare’s day, no women belonged to acting companies Boys played female roles Boys played female roles Juliet was played by a boy! Juliet was played by a boy!

Internal structure of Elizabethan theaters Tiring house gallery The “pit” & groundlings stage “heaven”

The Globe

Part 2: Characteristics of Shakespearean Tragedy A tragedy is a drama that ends in a catastrophe-most often death- for the main characters A tragedy is a drama that ends in a catastrophe-most often death- for the main characters Shakespearean tragedies: Shakespearean tragedies: Comic elements that counter the seriousness of the plot Comic elements that counter the seriousness of the plot

Characters Tragic hero i s the protagonist, or main character, who is usually the “good guy” Tragic hero i s the protagonist, or main character, who is usually the “good guy” Usually falls or dies because of a character flaw or a cruel twist of fate Usually falls or dies because of a character flaw or a cruel twist of fate Often has a high rank or status Often has a high rank or status

Antagonist Antagonist works against the protagonist Antagonist works against the protagonist Can be a character, a group of characters, or something non human like society or nature Can be a character, a group of characters, or something non human like society or nature

Foil Foil is a character whose personality and attitude contrast with another character Foil is a character whose personality and attitude contrast with another character Example: a shy character can make a talkative character seem even chattier Example: a shy character can make a talkative character seem even chattier

Dramatic Elements Soliloquy Soliloquy Speech given by a character alone on stage Speech given by a character alone on stage Lets the audience know what the character is thinking or feeling Lets the audience know what the character is thinking or feeling

Aside A character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear A character’s remark, either to the audience or to another character that others on stage do not hear Reveals the character’s private thoughts Reveals the character’s private thoughts

Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony is when the audience knows more than the character and helps build suspense. Dramatic irony is when the audience knows more than the character and helps build suspense. Example Example Horror movies! Horror movies!

Comic Relief A funny scene or speech intended to lighten the mood A funny scene or speech intended to lighten the mood

Part 3: Language Allusions Allusions Reference to something that the audience should know Reference to something that the audience should know Biblical Biblical Greek Mythology Greek Mythology

Pun Puns are jokes that result from mulitple word meanings or rhyming sounds. Puns are jokes that result from mulitple word meanings or rhyming sounds. Example: Example: Our social studies teacher says that her globe means the world to her. Our social studies teacher says that her globe means the world to her.

Part 4: Elizabethan Period Queen Elizabeth’s reign lasted from Queen Elizabeth’s reign lasted from

Shakespeare contributed more words, phrases, and expressions to the English than any other writer Shakespeare contributed more words, phrases, and expressions to the English than any other writer Assassination Assassination Bump Bump Lonely Lonely “For goodness sake” “For goodness sake” “Laughingstock” “Laughingstock”

Part 4: Romeo and Juliet

Lack of Personal and Public Hygiene Neither rich nor poor bathed very often Neither rich nor poor bathed very often Common to have bad breath, rotting teeth, constant stomach disorders, and scabs or sores Common to have bad breath, rotting teeth, constant stomach disorders, and scabs or sores

Schools Were expensive, so most students were upper class boys. Were expensive, so most students were upper class boys. Only girls were from the very high aristocracy Only girls were from the very high aristocracy School Day: 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Six days a week! School Day: 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Six days a week!

Pollution City ditches were used as toilets City ditches were used as toilets Butchers threw dead carcasses in the street Butchers threw dead carcasses in the street Garbage was thrown in river Garbage was thrown in river Mass graves for the poor Mass graves for the poor

Death Average life expectancy = 40 years Average life expectancy = 40 years 1/5 of children died before the age of 10—too many hazards in their life 1/5 of children died before the age of 10—too many hazards in their life

Entertainment Would be considered brutal by today’s standards: Would be considered brutal by today’s standards: 1. Bear baiting 2. Cockfighting 3. Public executions

Part 5: Romeo and Juliet Setting Romeo and Juliet takes places during the 14 th century (1300’s) in Verona, Italy. Romeo and Juliet takes places during the 14 th century (1300’s) in Verona, Italy.

Two Families The Montagues The Montagues The Capulets The Capulets