Background of William Shakespeare and Romeo & Juliet

William Shakespeare Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language Surviving works include: 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems and other shorter poems His plays are translated in every living language and have been performed more often than any other playwright

William Shakespeare Most known work written from 1589-1613 Early plays are comedies and histories, but later on in his career he wrote mainly tragedies (like Romeo & Juliet) Although he was a respected poet and playwright in his day, his reputation did not reach its present height until 19th century (1800’s) with the Romantics and Victorians.

William Shakespeare Shakespeare never went to university (college) because anyone who was married was banned from attending university. London was the most profitable place to be for plays during his time

How were Shakespearean plays performed? Performances without microphones Audiences ranged from wealthy to illiterate How could these actors perform their parts effectively with such a wide range of literacy in the audience? Theatres were typically built of wood = vulnerable of burning down

Globe Theatre “House with thatched roof” Prospered for 14 years Today’s replica is the same size and shape as Shakespeare’s time and holds 1,600 people. It is one of London’s largest theatres (It held 3,000 people during Shakespeare’s time with only 2 exits!)

Globe Theatre Original theatre burned down during a performance of Henry VIII where a piece of stage cannon caught the roof on fire. Sir Henry Wotton: “…had his breeches set on fire that would perhaps have broiled him, if he had not, by the benefit of a provident wit, put it out with bottle ale.”

Globe Theatre Today’s Globe was rebuilt in 1997 and is true to the craftsmanship of Shakespeare’s time, but has 20th century additions (fire retardant materials, additional exits, elevators – known as “lifts” in England) Plays still are performed at the Globe late April – mid October

The Globe Today

Shakespearean Plays Shakespearean play culture (late 1580’s-early 1600’s) Women not included as actors (less people able to participate) Who do you think played the female roles if women weren’t included?

Shakespearean Play Terms Monologues and soliloquies helped with actor shortage Soliloquy = character’s speech to him/herself so audience can understand his/her inner thoughts EX: “What light through yonder window breaks?” – Romeo, Act II Scene II Monologue = a long speech monopolizing conversation (to other people) Character Foil = a character who is used in contrast to another character

Shakespearean Play Terms Iambic Pentameter = lines of poetry that contains 5 iambs Iamb = metrical foot, or unit of measure, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by stressed syllable Pentameter = comes from the Greek “penta” and meter (measure)

Iambic Pentameter Rap! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p226OX39OLs

Iambic Pentameter Examples How would you show the stressed and unstressed syllables in the following line? Is this in iambic pentameter? Explain why. But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

Shakespearean Play Terms Dramatic Irony = irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play Theme = central idea in a work of literature Tragedy = narrative about serious and important actions that end unhappily (usually with deaths of main characters) How is Romeo and Juliet a tragedy?

Shakespearean Play Terms Aside = words that are spoken by a character in a play to the audience or to another character but that are not supposed to be heard by the others onstage Climax = marks the moment when the conflict is decided one way or another Sonnet = 14 line lyric poem that is usually written in iambic pentameter Shakespearean sonnet = 3 Quatrains (4 line units), 1 couplet

So, are there any sonnets in R&J? Prologue – Act 2 Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir. That fair for which love groaned for and would die With tender Juliet matched is now not fair. Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike bewitched by the charm of looks, But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful hooks. Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear. And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new beloved anywhere. But passion lends them to power, time means, to meet Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.

Romeo & Juliet

Romeo & Juliet “Two star-crossed lovers” Shakespeare’s most popular story of young, teenage lovers

Did you know?? Shakespeare actually adapted this play from two older texts 1562 = The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke 1582 = retold in prose Palace of Pleasure by William Painter

Romeo & Juliet Although Shakespeare borrowed heavily from these two tales, he did flesh out characters of Mercutio and Paris. Written between 1591-1595; published in 1597 Written in prose and poetry His use of dramatic structure, such as switching from comedy to tragedy to heighten tension, expansion of minor characters and use of sub-plots