1. Romeo and Juliet Things you need to know

2. Background Information Setting: Verona, Italy; 1400’s Setting: Verona, Italy; 1400’s Chorus—single person who enters stage and gives summary of plot of play Chorus—single person who enters stage and gives summary of plot of play Feud between Montagues and Capulets has been going on for a long time. They don’t even seem to know why they are fighting anymore. Feud between Montagues and Capulets has been going on for a long time. They don’t even seem to know why they are fighting anymore.

3. Background Information continued… Feud even includes the servants of the households Feud even includes the servants of the households Aside—lines of a play only meant to be heard by the actor indicated and the audience Aside—lines of a play only meant to be heard by the actor indicated and the audience

4. Background Information continued… Two major types of drama—tragedy and comedy Two major types of drama—tragedy and comedy Tragedies usually end in deaths Tragedies usually end in deaths Comedies usually end in marriages Comedies usually end in marriages Keep in mind that plays are meant to be seen and heard Keep in mind that plays are meant to be seen and heard

5. Act I Scene 1 Play opens with feud Play opens with feud Shakespeare immediately reveals his knowledge of his audience Shakespeare immediately reveals his knowledge of his audience Shakespeare’s use of servants, fight scenes, and plays on words appeal to the poor, while the complex plot lines and underlying themes appeal to royalty Shakespeare’s use of servants, fight scenes, and plays on words appeal to the poor, while the complex plot lines and underlying themes appeal to royalty This is what makes Shakespeare great This is what makes Shakespeare great

6. Act I Scene 1 continued… Benvolio and Tybalt are portrayed as foil characters Benvolio and Tybalt are portrayed as foil characters Foil characters are characters who are total opposite of each other Foil characters are characters who are total opposite of each other Benvolio is peaceful, and Tybalt is confrontational Benvolio is peaceful, and Tybalt is confrontational

7. Act I Scene 1 continued… Romeo’s father is quite concerned about his son Romeo’s father is quite concerned about his son He wants Benvolio to discover the source of his sorrow He wants Benvolio to discover the source of his sorrow

8. Act I Scene 1 continued… Romeo is revealed in this scene as being depressed Romeo is revealed in this scene as being depressed He is in love with a woman who does not love him back He is in love with a woman who does not love him back Audience assumes it is Juliet; however, it is a woman we never meet Audience assumes it is Juliet; however, it is a woman we never meet

9. Act I Scene 1 continued… Romeo’s depression sets the tone for the entire play Romeo’s depression sets the tone for the entire play The play focuses on forbidden love and its toll on the participants The play focuses on forbidden love and its toll on the participants

10. Act I Scene 2 Capulet believes Juliet (being 14) is just about ready to be married Capulet believes Juliet (being 14) is just about ready to be married Paris says that girls even younger than she have become good mothers Paris says that girls even younger than she have become good mothers Capulet has a party to give Paris a chance to get to know Juliet Capulet has a party to give Paris a chance to get to know Juliet

11. Act I Scene 2 continued… The servant is instructed to invite the people on a list The servant is instructed to invite the people on a list Unfortunately the servant can’t read and unknowingly invites Romeo and Benvolio when he sees them in the streets of Verona Unfortunately the servant can’t read and unknowingly invites Romeo and Benvolio when he sees them in the streets of Verona

12. Act I Scene 3 In this scene we discover the nature of Juliet’s relationships with her parents and the nurse In this scene we discover the nature of Juliet’s relationships with her parents and the nurse The nurse is like a mother to her especially since she raised Juliet The nurse is like a mother to her especially since she raised Juliet Juliet’s mother tries to force her into marriage; whereas, Juliet is not ready to marry Juliet’s mother tries to force her into marriage; whereas, Juliet is not ready to marry

13. Act I Scene 3 continued… Juliet’s parents are very controlling Juliet’s parents are very controlling As a result Juliet tries to be the perfect daughter and follow their will As a result Juliet tries to be the perfect daughter and follow their will

14. Act I Scene 4 This scene takes place later that evening after the brawl that morning This scene takes place later that evening after the brawl that morning Romeo and his friends are on the way to the Capulet party Romeo and his friends are on the way to the Capulet party Readers meet Mercutio Readers meet Mercutio As Romeo professes that he is “done” with love, Mercutio gives one of the most famous monologues in all of literature As Romeo professes that he is “done” with love, Mercutio gives one of the most famous monologues in all of literature

15. Act I Scene 4 continued… Mercutio tells about Queen Mab and how she determines what people will dream Mercutio tells about Queen Mab and how she determines what people will dream Romeo then explains that he had a vision of “some consequence yet hanging in the stars” that predicts an “untimely death”— excellent example of foreshadowing Romeo then explains that he had a vision of “some consequence yet hanging in the stars” that predicts an “untimely death”— excellent example of foreshadowing

16. Act I Scene 5 This scene opens with servants conversing. These servants would have been portrayed as comedic relief This scene opens with servants conversing. These servants would have been portrayed as comedic relief Throughout the play comedic relief is used to keep the poor interested Throughout the play comedic relief is used to keep the poor interested When Romeo meets Juliet, they fall in love at first sight; they don’t even know that the other is part of their enemy’s family When Romeo meets Juliet, they fall in love at first sight; they don’t even know that the other is part of their enemy’s family