1. Character Archetypes in Romeo and Juliet

2. Archetype
an archetype is a typical character, an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature

3. Shakespeare and Universal Appeal
Appealing to all audiences means creating characters and situations that are relatable to all viewers
One of Shakespeare’s most celebrated qualities is his ability to craft characters we feel automatically familiar with and situations we have lived in some form

4. Archetypes Established long before Shakespeare
Universal aspects of most stories regardless of origin (time, region, or culture)
All stories depend on (and have always depended on) archetypes in order to communicate theme

5. Character Archetypes
Though the situational and action-based archetypes within Shakespeare’s work are just as significant, today we are focusing on the role of archetypal characters

6. Character Archetypes at Work in Romeo and Juliet:
Star-crossed lovers
Hopeless romantic
The wise mentor
The voice of reason
The controlling parents
The law-keeper
The catalyst
The bumbling fool
The wise-cracking friend

7. Star-crossed lovers
Two lovers who are, due to forces beyond their control, unable to be together
Related to “doomed” or “forbidden” love
Ties back to the idea of “forbidden fruit”—by the end of the story, tends to bring about a realization at a great price

8. “Hopeless” romantic
This character believes in love above all else and while often viewed as silly or over-dramatic by other characters, embodies such human instincts as hope and faith in destiny and goodness

9. The Wise Mentor
Other characters approach this character in times of need—often asking for advice or solutions to complicated problems
One of the most well-trusted characters—often older and more experienced than the hero

10. The Voice of Reason
This friend exists to remind the hero of his/her mortality and of the limitations that exist within the universe of the story
Some stories treat this character as comedic element— there for the satisfaction of “defying all reason”
Other stories treat this character for the sake of having a “control group”—a person to represent “normal” in order to keep the story believable and relatable

11. The Controlling Parents
Popular in stories about young people, this role can also be filled by an overbearing boss or any other character with a great deal of power over the hero’s life
Forces the hero into impossible situations by having immovable and (often according to the hero) unreasonable expectations for the hero
Can, at times, exist simply to represent “tradition” in order to exaggerate the hero’s independence and innovative spirit

12. The Law-Keeper
Not necessarily a negative character, but a character that exists to enforce the laws of that story’s universe

13. The Catalyst
A character that sets of the chain of events necessary for the conflict to reach its climax
Can start a fight, inform the hero of key information, or complete another task that can cause the hero to rush into action and bring about the resolution

14. The Bumbling Fool In Shakespearian works, this is a “clown” character
This character exists for comedic relief
Often lower-class in some way, the fool’s ignorance can sometimes be used as a plot device, but is often simply for entertainment purposes

15. The Wise-Cracking Friend
A more evolved version of the afore-mentioned “fool”, this character is not ignorant, but rather arrogant
Makes light of the hero’s dilemma through personal attacks or sarcasm
Though occasionally used simply for entertainment, more often serves as a key part of the plot, or occasionally as a confidant
Sometimes this character is also the “voice of reason” and acts to balance out or correct the hero’s faults

16. Do Now:
Use the character cards you have been adding to and the script of Romeo and Juliet
Complete the “Character Archetypes” sheet, being sure to include:
Character from Romeo and Juliet that fits the archetype, and an explanation of why
Character from another text that fits the archetype, and an explanation of why
On the back, answer the essential question: what about Romeo and Juliet allowed Shakespeare to appeal to all audiences including and outside of his use of archetypes?