Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare A Tragic Pattern From page 732 Visit For 100’s of free powerpoints

Act I Exposition – Establishes a setting, introduces some of the main characters, explains the background, and introduces the characters main conflicts. Don’t forget the Prologue (p735) – It sets the stage and gives us background information.

Act II  Rising Action - These are problems of the characters or challenges they face.  Romeo and Juliet fall in love and begin making plans to marry.  Friar Lawrence makes plans to bring peace to the families by marrying Romeo and Juliet

Act III  Crisis or turning Point – moment when a choice made by one of the characters determines the outcome.  Mercutio dies  Romeo kills Tybalt  Romeo is banished  Juliet’s dad promises her to Paris

Act IV  Falling Action – Events that result from an action locking the characters deeper and deeper into disaster.  (could consider – Juliet’s dad promising her to Paris)  Romeo and Juliet commit suicide  Parents realize what their hate has caused.

Act V  Climax and resoloution – end of the play (usually with the death of the main characters)  Death of Romeo and Juliet  Resoloution – Parents make amends with one another and build golden statues in honor of each others children.