1. Character Foil Notes

2. Shakespeare uses the Nurse and Mercutio to bring humor to the play— they act as character foils to other characters.

3. Character Foil—a character with qualities that contrast with those of another character

4. Romeo—his foil—Mercutio –Whereas Romeo is focused on his inner life and emotions, Mercutio is focused on his appearance and his “performance” for others. –Romeo expects to be a bystander at parties, while Mercutio has a reputation for being the life of them.

5. Juliet—her foil—Nurse –Juliet is serious and never plays around. The nurse loves to ramble on about things and joke around.

6. Benvolio—his foil—Tybalt –Benvolio is a peacemaker, and Tybalt is a fighter.

7. ACT I Exposition Exposition –Feuding Families –Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love

8. ACT II Rising Action –Romeo and Juliet make plans –Julies is promised to Paris –Romeo and Juliet are secretly married

9. Act III Crisis/Turning Point –Tybalt kills Mercutio –Romeo kills Tybalt –Rome is banished

10. ACT IV Falling Action –Capulet moves the wedding up –Juliet takes the sleeping potion and appears dead

11. Act V Climax –Romeo takes his life Resolution --Two families make peace