1. Romeo and Juliet
An Introduction

2. Setting Priorities
All people believe that certain things are more important in life than other things. Deciding those things is called setting priorities.
Shakespeare and other Elizabethans (people who lived while Queen Elizabeth was ruling) knew exactly what their priorities were.

3. Shakespearean Priorities
Everyone had a duty in life to fulfill
One did not question those in power such as church, parents, or king.
If one did not do exactly as expected in one’s station in life, they were severely punished
They believed king/queen ruled by divine appointment (God chose them) so they were not be questioned

4. Comparing Your Priorities
What are your priorities? What are the most important things in your life?
Make a diagram like the one above and fill in your priorities.
Write words that help explain your belief system.

5. The Characters of Romeo and Juliet

6. The Capulets
Lord Capulet – also called “Capulet,” Juliet’s father and patriarch of Capulet family. Hates Lord Montague. Loves his daughter, but can have a temper.
Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. Married young, wants daughter to marry Paris.
Juliet – daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet. 13 years old, very naïve. Supposed to marry Paris, but falls for Romeo instead. Trusts only her nurse.

7. The Capulets continued
Tybalt – Juliet’s cousin; very vain, fashionable. Has a temper and can be violent. HATES Montagues.
Nurse – Juliet’s “nanny,” who has cared for Juliet her entire life. Funny, loyal, trustworthy, does not understand idealistic love.
Peter – Capulet servant, illiterate, invites guests to Capulet party.

8. The Montagues
Lord Montague – aka “Montague,” Romeo’s father, patriarch of Montague family. Hates the Capulets, worries about Romeo being so depressed.
Lady Montague – Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. Dies of grief after Romeo is exiled.
Romeo – son of Lord and Lady Montague; about 16 years old; Handsome, intelligent, sensitive; idealistic, immature, passionate. Madly in love with Rosaline until he meets Juliet.

9. The Montagues continued
Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin; thoughtful friend to Romeo, tries to be a peacemaker in public, tries to get Romeo’s mind off of Rosaline.
Balthasar – Romeo’s servant, brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that it is fake.
Abram – Montague’s servant

10. The Others
Prince Escalus – Prince of Verona. Related to Mercutio and Paris; wants to maintain peace at all times.
Mercutio – Related to the prince, Romeo’s best friend. Witty, imaginative, hotheaded, thinks Romeo is too idealistic.
Friar John – supposed to tell Romeo about Juliet’s false death but is quarantined. The news never reaches Romeo.

11. The Others continued
Friar Lawrence – friend of Romeo and Juliet. Kind, peace-minded, always has a plan, secretly performs marriage ceremony for Romeo and Juliet, hoping for peace in Verona.
Count Paris – Related to the prince, suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet, acts as if he and Juliet are already married when Capulet says he can marry her.
An Apothecary – druggist, sold poison to Romeo

12. Whose House Am I? Montagues Romeo Father and Lady Montague
Mercutio-friend to Romeo
Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin
Balthasar-Romeo’s servant
Capulets
Juliet
Father and Lady Capulet
Nurse
Tybalt-Juliet’s cousin
Sampson, Gregory, Peter-servants
Unaffiliated
Friar Lawrence-marries R & J
Apothecary-Gives poison to Romeo
Paris-Juliet’s fiancé

13. Tableaus Symbolic representations
People pose and freeze in a way that shows relationships among characters in a symbolic way
Example-Father Capulet is standing above and in the middle of Romeo and Juliet as they look at each other lovingly but at a distance
Explanation-Father stands above because he is in a position of authority and respect. He stands in the middle because he is trying to come between the couple’s love. R & J are at a distance from one another because their families want to force them apart