ROMEO AND JULIET

OR…  How to fall in forbidden love….

OR… How to dishonor your family and ruin your life…

OR… A typical story of young love…where everyone dies…

RIGHT OFF THE BAT…  Yes we will watch the movies… As we read, we’ll watch the original Romeo and Juliet made in 1968 This version is accurate to the original text and setting. And Romeo looks shockingly like Zack Efron…it’s weird.

 After we read, we’ll watch the updated version made in 1996 This version is set in modern day Los Angeles, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Clair Danes

AN OVERVIEW  The Setting  The Plot  The Characters  Lit Terms To Know

LEARNING TARGETS  Describe the setting and plot of R&J  Identify important characters and how they tie in to the story  Define key literary terms that you will need to understand as we read

THE SETTING  Verona, Italy  A small city ruled by a prince, but dominated by powerful families

THE SETTING  In Verona Italy in the late 1400s or early 1500s. The date is never really stated.  The entire plot of the play takes place in less than week…

THE PLOT  Two rival families (the Montagues and Capulets) have a long standing feud.  As fate has it, the Capulet daughter (Juliet) and Montague son (Romeo) meet at a party and fall instantly, madly in “love”  (Question to Consider: What proves it’s actually love?)

THE PLOT  Knowing they cannot be together, they make plans to secretly marry (Logical right?)  But, Juliet is already supposed to be married off to this guy named Paris  People start to kill each other and Romeo ends up banned from the city

THE PLOT  With Romeo banished, the two still try to find a way to be together  Unfortunately everything goes to hell in a handbasket, and the audience gets their tragedy (Coming on Thursday: What are the different parts of the plot that make a Literary Tragedy?)

THE CHARACTERS  Lord and Lady Capulet (Juliet’s parents) Anxious to get their daughter married off to a worthy gentleman (Paris) In a long-standing bitter feud with the Montagues A distinct parenting style…not necessarily bad, but not good either.

THE CHARACTERS  Juliet Barely 13 years old To be wed to Paris any day now Has never been in love before

THE CHARACTERS  The nurse Has raised Juliet from birth, almost like a nanny Has a dirty sense of humor Plays a crucial role in Juliet’s happiness

THE CHARACTERS  Tybalt Capulet Juliet’s Cousin A “chest thumper”

THE CHARACTERS  Lord and Lady Montague Romeo’s Parents In feud with the Capulets Not very important to the story. You won’t hear much from them.

THE CHARACTERS  Romeo Montague Age is never really clear…some say 16 or 17 years old. Some say he could be as old as his late 20s An emotional romantic Falls quickly in and out of love

THE CHARACTERS  Friar Lawrence A local religious leader Is tired of the feud and will do just about anything to end it Plays a key role in the drama

THE CHARACTERS  Benvolio Montague Romeo’s Cousin Level-headed and honest Cares about Romeo as a brother

THE CHARACTERS  Mercutio Romeo’s best friend His name is based on “Mercury” or “Mercurial” which means volatile and quick to change An actor’s favorite Watch out for his jokes…

THE CHARACTERS  Paris Juliet’s Fiancé  Prince Escalus Prince of Verona  The Apothecary A “Pharmacist”

LIT TERMS TO KNOW  Literary Tragedy Not just a sad story…although it might be sad Characters lose life, power, love or their passions because of their own actions. They bring it on themselves A virtue is taken too far and becomes a vice Love Innocence Protectiveness Obsession Naiveté Jealousy

LIT TERMS TO KNOW  Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony: We (the audience) know things that the characters do not know…Suspense builds as we wait for them to “figure it out”  Other Kinds of Irony: Situational Irony: We expect one thing but the opposite happens Verbal Irony: We expect one word but another (usually humorous) word is used

LIT TERMS TO KNOW  Character Foil The behavior of one character emphasizes the opposite behavior of another For Example: One character is so kind and honest that it makes the other character seem like an evil liar…

LIT TERMS TO KNOW  Symbolism An object or event stands for a bigger idea Birds = Freedom Dove = peace Rain = Sorrow Sunrise = New beginning

FREE WRITE  Write me a letter to describe how you feel about reading R&J. What are you concerned about? What are you looking forward to? What do you hope to accomplish during this new unit? Any goals? How is class going for you in general?  1 page  Dear Mrs. Peters….  GO!