1. Shakespeare Background

2. The Amazing Shakespeare
No recorded birth date; baptized in 1564; died in 1616
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon
1582 – age 18 - married Anne Hathaway
– lost years – no information
Actor as well as a playwright

3. More… Wrote three types of plays: Philip Henslowe’s theaters:
History – Henry IV
Tragedy – Romeo and Juliet, Othello
Comedy – Taming of the Shrew
Philip Henslowe’s theaters:
The Rose
The Swan
The Burbages’ theater – The Globe

4. Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet

5. Overview Montagues & Capulets are rival families
Family feud goes back years before any of the members were born, yet it still continues b/c neither family is ready to forgive and forget the past
Even townspeople are involved b/c they fight in public

6. The Characters

7. Romeo Montague A Montague falls in love with Juliet a tragic character
characterized as hasty and emotional
Is young

8. Juliet Capulet A Capulet Falls in love with Romeo
believes marriage should be for love
Supposed to marry Paris
also characterized as hasty
Is 13

9. Montagues and Friends Lord Montague & Lady Montague Mercutio Balthasar
Benvolio

10. Capulets and Friends Lord and Lady Capulet Nurse – very talkative!
Tybalt – Capulet’s nephew, very bad tempered
Gregory and Sampson – servants

11. Others
County Paris - kinsman of Prince, cares for and wishes to marry Juliet
Prince Escalus - Prince of Verona, wants to call a truce and end the family feud
Friar Lawrence – priest, weds R. and J.

12. Themes/Moral Lessons
Labels mean nothing : Their last names are labels and that is what almost kept them apart, but you know the old cliché, “love knows no boundaries.”
Seeking Revenge : revenge causes troubles throughout the play

13. Driving Question
What influence do other people have on your life?