1. Romeo and Juliet
Destined or Doomed?

2. Meet the Families
Montagues
Capulets

3. Romeo’s Cousin, Benvolio
The Montagues
Romeo’s Dad
Romeo’s Cousin, Benvolio

4. Romeo’s servant, Balthazar Friar Laurence, a priest (not a Montague)
The Montagues
Romeo’s servant, Balthazar
Friar Laurence, a priest (not a Montague)

5. The Capulets
Juliet’s Dad
Juliet’s Mom

6. Juliet’s Future Husband, Paris (not a Capulet) Juliet’s cousin Tybalt
The Capulets
Juliet’s Future Husband, Paris (not a Capulet)
Juliet’s cousin Tybalt

7. Romeo’s Crazy Friend, Mercutio
The Other Players
The Prince
Juliet’s Nurse
Romeo’s Crazy Friend, Mercutio

8. Check out the language Words you may not recognize anon: at once
but: if, except, only
chinks: money
mark: listen to
soft: quiet, hush, slow up
withal: with that
wot: know
Words you may recognize
coz: cousin, “kinfolk”
hoodwinked: tricked
spinners: spiders
blaze: to tell the truth
happy: lucky

9. Setting
VERONA!!!!

10. Themes The Power of Love Individual vs. Society Inevitability of Fate
Love is a force that supersedes all others
Individual vs. Society
“Me against the World” syndrome
Inevitability of Fate
No matter how strong their love is, they’re doomed from the start.

11. About Romeo He is older than Juliet—around 16
May come off as a “punk”.
Just got out of a relationship with Rosaline.
Doesn’t care about his family’s fued with the Capulets
Goes to a Capulet party looking for Rosaline
Falls in love with Juliet at first sight
Secretly marries her

12. About Juliet She is 13. Her father thinks she is ready for marriage.
She meets Romeo at one of her father’s parties.
She is very close to her nurse. She basically raised her.
Her mother is young—about 30. Her father is older.
Falls in love with Romeo instantly.
Grows very much throughout the play
Her suicide takes more courage than Romeo’s

13. What you are about to see
The Capulets and the Montagues are doing what they do best—fighting. One “bites his thumb” at the other (the equivalent of giving the middle finger). More words are exchanged and a fight breaks out between the two groups. This is the 3rd time they’ve done this in public. The Prince has to get involved and tell them that if their feud continues, they will die.