1. ROMEO AND JULIET

2. 2 basic stage structures
Drama
Definition: a story with action and dialogue for stage performance – we are usually reading the script
2 basic stage structures
“picture-frame stage” – audience watches a fictional world through a window
Audience is “spying”
Characters are expected to act as ordinary people
“platform stage” – *
Stage extends into audience with tiers at the rear of the stage for additional acting areas
Line between spectator & actor was blurred
Aside – actor speaking his thoughts directly to the audience
Soliloquy – actor speaking his thoughts aloud; usually a paragraph in length

3. Necessary Terms for the stage Comedy – a drama that ends happily
Tragedy – a drama that ends unhappily
History – drama of the life of famous people
Act – major divisions of a play; usually a scene change
Scene – division within acts ; setting is consistent & time continues uninterrupted

4. Romeo and Juliet
Basis for play – “Pyramis & Thisbe;” although the idea of tragic young love exists in all folklore Using well-known legends/myths was common – could explain Shakespeare’s wide-ranging knowledge

5. Using wise judgment when making life choices is necessary.
Theme
Using wise judgment when making life choices is necessary.
We will view the theme through a series of contrasts
Infatuation vs. genuine, mature love
Youthful haste vs. Mature Wisdom
Passion vs. Reason
Fate vs. Free Will – Elizabethans argued over the idea of whether or not man was a product of fate (we can’t control what happens to us) or if man had a free will to choose his own destiny
The themes are revealed through
Character Development – reveals Shakespeare’s tone (attitude) towards characters
Imagery

6. Imagery
Time – pay close attention to all the different references to time passing, standing still, moving too quickly; things that symbolize time passing Light and Darkness

7. Act I Scene I

8. SERVANTS

9. RELATIVES/ FRIENDS

10. ROMEO’S FRIENDS Mercutio (mercurial)- volatile, fleshly, emotional
Benvolio (benevolent)- rational, honest and reliable

11. Discussion questions
What significant information is revealed about Capulet in the opening of Act I, Scene ii?
How old is Juliet? How does knowing her age affect your understanding of the theme and development of the play?
What contrasts are apparent between Juliet and the other women in this scene? Why does Shakespeare draw a distinction among them?
What extended metaphor is present in Act I, Scene iii?

12. JULIET BACKGROUND Possibly named after the month of July
Born near Lammastide (Aug. 1)
Age: 14

13. JULIET’S RELATIONSHIPS
Father: very close
Mother: fairly close
Suitors: not interested

14. LADY CAPULET Age: around 26-30 Perspective on love:
Physical Attraction
Self-Advancement

15. ROMEO’S FRIENDS Mercutio (mercurial)- volatile, fleshly, emotional
Benvolio (benevolent)- rational, honest and reliable

16. IMPORTANT QUOTES
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/shall bitterly begin his fearful date/with this night’s revels, and expire the term/of a despised life clos’d in my breast/by some vile forfeit of untimely death (Act I, Scene IV).
Fate vs. Free Will

17. Romeo & Juliet Meet Romeo begins with a great pick-up line
He holds her hand and then says he will pay the fine of a kiss if he has profaned her hand.
Important Quote
Romeo: "Is she a Capulet? / O dear account! My life is my foe's debt. I.v. line
Juliet: "My only love sprung from my only hate!" I. v. line 134
Which character(s) do you find sympathetic? Why? 17

18. Act II
Prologue - ideas of passion leading to the desire for time to hurry
Scene i –
Foil: contrasting character
Benvolio - not overly talkative
Mercutio – unpredictable 18

19. Scene ii - After the party
Romeo describes Juliet in terms of light; and both desire darkness to hide them from Juliet's family
Fate vs. Free Will
Youthful Haste exhibited
What is their plan? 19

20. Important Quotes Romeo
"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." II. ii. lines 3-4
Juliet
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." II. ii. lines
"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow." II. ii. lines 20

21. Act II, Scene III

22. Themes Passion vs. Reason Youthful Haste vs. Mature Wisdom
Infatuation vs. Genuine, Mature Love

23. Word Count: 200 words minimum You may use first-person Must be typed
The Verona Gazette
You are a reporter, writing a social column for one of Verona’s local gossip magazines. Your job is to record what is happening with the Montagues and Capulets and any news that you may have picked up. You can write about the ball or some other recent event. Feel free to describe fictional characters, as well as real ones.
Word Count: 200 words minimum
You may use first-person
Must be typed
Must include details and references to real events from Act 1-Act 2, Scene 3
Due Wednesday

24. Act II, Scene V

25. Themes Youthful Haste vs. Mature Wisdom
Infatuation vs. Genuine, Mature Love

26. Act II, Scene VI

27. IMPORTANT QUOTES
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/shall bitterly begin his fearful date/with this night’s revels, and expire the term/of a despised life clos’d in my breast/by some vile forfeit of untimely death (Act I, Scene IV).
Fate vs. Free Will

28. Romeo & Juliet Meet Romeo begins with a great pick-up line
He holds her hand and then says he will pay the fine of a kiss if he has profaned her hand.
Important Quote
Romeo: "Is she a Capulet? / O dear account! My life is my foe's debt. I.v. line
Juliet: "My only love sprung from my only hate!" I. v. line 134
Which character(s) do you find sympathetic? Why? 28

29. Act III, scene ii 29

30. Juliet's conflict: passion vs. reason
l oxymoron - brief phrases that combine contradictory elements for effect
Honors: l chiasmus - parallel phrase, clauses, or sentences in which the 2nd reverses the elements of the first, inverting the parallel structure 30

31. Act III, scene iv 31

32. Capulet changes his mind several times in this scene.
1. Doesn't want to talk about marriage tonight.
-then decides to send Lady Capulet to Juliet tonight.
2. Decides Juliet & Paris will marry on Wednesday
- then decides that is too early so moves it to Thursday
3. Will only invite 1 or 2 people
-then decides on half a dozen 32

33. Act III, scene v 33

34. Why are Romeo and Juliet arguing about the type of bird?
l Elizabethan's believed that grief should not be excessive
Juliet uses words with double meanings to argue with her mother
Compare Lady C's, Capulet's and Juliet's reactions 34

35. Explain the metaphor in l. 128-138
What evil advice does the nurse give Juliet?
How does Juliet react?
From what source does Juliet decide to seek further advice?
What desperate course of action does she consider in the last 2 lines - couplet? 35

36. Act IV, Scene I 36

37. Themes
Youthful Haste vs. Mature Wisdom
Fate vs. Free Will

38. Friar’s Plan for Juliet
Meet with parents and agree to marry Paris
Drink the potion that makes her appear dead
Lie in the family crypt
Romeo (notified by letters) will come rescue Juliet with the Friar and take her to Mantua

39. Act IV, Scene III 39

40. Soliloquy Hypothetical “what if” scenarios:
The poison doesn’t work and she will still marry Paris in the morning
The friar has secretly plotted to poison her to cover his tracks
She wakes before Romeo arrives and suffocates
She is haunted by Tybalt’s ghost
She goes insane and kills herself

42. Act IV, Scene V 42

43. Famous quote
“Death lies on her like an untimely flower”

44. Paradox- “Not life, but love in death” Themes: Fate vs
Paradox- “Not life, but love in death” Themes: Fate vs. Free Will Reference to time Anaphora- “Our instruments to melancholy bells…”

45. “Dear Juliet” Letter
You are the friend of Romeo or Juliet. One of these characters has come to you, asking for your advice on his/her love life.
What kind of wisdom can you give to this character? Try to offer sensible, mature counsel to Romeo or Juliet.
You need to include at least two quotes from the text that show Romeo/Juliet’s feelings toward this situation.
You may assign yourself a fictional identity
Must be typed, in the format of a letter
Due Friday

46. Act IV, Scene III 46

47. Timeline
1. Start recording all the major events from Romeo and Juliet. Break up the events into days. Day 1: Romeo is lovesick over Rosaline and… etc. 2. Create a linear timeline, showing the days and corresponding events