William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet (A Brief Introduction)

Who is Shakespeare? An English poet and playwright widely regarded as the greatest writer of the English language, and theworld's preeminent dramatist Born April 26, 1564 Died April 23, 1616 Spent most of his life in London, England AKA “The Bard of Avon” Composed, plays (37 known), sonnets (154 known) and other poems

Who is Shakespeare? William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway when he was 16 or 17. She was 26 and three months pregnant. The couple had three children: Susanna, christened on May 26th, 1583 Twins, Hamnet and Judith, in January, 1585 (Hamnet Shakespeare died of an unknown cause on August 11, 1596, at the age of eleven) Shakespeare's family lived in Stratford-upon- Avon, while Shakespeare spent most of his time in London, England.

Where?

Shakespeare’s Writing Shakespeare’s writing can be divided into two time periods: : Elizabethan Period- Wrote mostly comedies and histories : Jacobean Period- Wrote mostly tragedies and romances “The Lost Years” - Scholars have no real idea where Shakespeare was or what he was doing.

Shakespeare’s Plays Types of Shakespearean Drama: Tragedy -- In general, tragedy involves the ruin of the leading characters. Comedy -- is lighter drama in which the leading characters overcome the difficulties which temporarily beset them. Usually ends in marriage. History

The Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, but was later destroyed: first by fire, then by Puritans who believed theater was sinful A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe", opened in 1997

the Theater the Globe theatre held around 1,500 people, most in the “pit” near the stage (these people were called “groundlings”) the Globe theatre held around 1,500 people, most in the “pit” near the stage (these people were called “groundlings”) Noble men and women sat in the balconies or on the stage itself Noble men and women sat in the balconies or on the stage itself Plays were held in the afternoon, as there was no artificial lighting Plays were held in the afternoon, as there was no artificial lighting All actors were men/boys All actors were men/boys Within the Globe, there were smoke effects, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes), trap- doors and rigging which allowed for flying entrances. Within the Globe, there were smoke effects, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes), trap- doors and rigging which allowed for flying entrances.

Shakespeare’s Language Shakespeare’s plays are written in Early Modern English, which can be difficult to read. The pronouns usage is especially different. Some examples include: thou = you thee/ ye = you thy/ thine = your/ yours

Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare probably wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1594 Romeo and Juliet was based on the life of two real lovers who both died for each other and lived in Verona, Italy in Both the Capulets and Montagues existed in Verona at this time and Shakespeare is reckoned to have discovered this tragic love story in Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem entitled "The Tragical Historye of Romeus and Juliet" One of Shakespeare's most-produced plays and a mainstay of the English stage

Romeo and Juliet Most of the action of Romeo and Juliet takes places in Verona, Italy.

Famous Lines But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? What's in an name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow A plague on both your houses! O, I am fortunes fool! For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo

Verona today…. the town of Verona, Italy has honored the play by marking “Juliet’s Balcony,” an attraction popular to romantics and Shakespeare enthusiasts

R&J in Film The two most well-known film adaptations are those of Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann

Fun facts Moons of the planet Uranus are named after characters in Shakespeare's plays Moons of the planet Uranus are named after characters in Shakespeare's plays The words "assassination“ and "bump" were invented by Shakespeare. If you say "laugh it off,“ or ““all's well that ends well", you are also quoting Shakespeare. The words "assassination“ and "bump" were invented by Shakespeare. If you say "laugh it off,“ or ““all's well that ends well", you are also quoting Shakespeare. The play “The West Side Story” is based on Romeo and Juliet The play “The West Side Story” is based on Romeo and Juliet Films inspired by Shakespeare’s plays include “O,” “Ten Things I Hate About You,” and “Romeo Must Die” Films inspired by Shakespeare’s plays include “O,” “Ten Things I Hate About You,” and “Romeo Must Die”

Shakespearean Insults Combine one word from each column to create your own Shakespearean insult.