1. Romeo and Juliet
PROLOGUE

2. What is a CHORUS in Drama?
The character(s) who speak(s) the prologue and comments on the course of events. (kind of like a newscaster observing and commenting on events)

3. What is a PROLOGUE?
An introductory scene, used to call attention to the theme and basic conflict of a play.

4. Directions:
Identify and mark up the rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter of the prologue.
Read through the prologue and talk to the text.
Rewrite the prologue in modern-day language.

5. Two households, both alike in dignity
[Enter] Chorus
Two households, both alike in dignity
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene),
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
[i] dignity: social position
[ii] mutiny: riot
[iii] civil: of citizens, also (ironically) civilized