1. Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Introduction and Introduction and Background Background William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of

2. William Shakespeare Shakespeare was born in Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616. He grew up in a town called Stratf0rd-on-Avon and later moved to London to become an actor and playwright. He grew up in a town called Stratf0rd-on-Avon and later moved to London to become an actor and playwright.

3. The Plays Shakespeare’s plays include comedies, histories—and tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s plays include comedies, histories—and tragedies such as Romeo and Juliet. Some of his other famous plays include Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Some of his other famous plays include Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In addition, Shakespeare wrote love poems called sonnets. In addition, Shakespeare wrote love poems called sonnets.

4. Will the real Shakespeare please stand up? Some scholars have suggested Shakespeare, who had little formal education, could not have written such powerful and creative plays. Some scholars have suggested Shakespeare, who had little formal education, could not have written such powerful and creative plays. However, nobody in Shakespeare’s day thought to question his authorship. Apparently, he was just a genius! However, nobody in Shakespeare’s day thought to question his authorship. Apparently, he was just a genius!

5. Elizabethan Theater Elizabethan Theater Shakespeare’s time period was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Literature was used and taught very often in London because they thought it was important for them to write. They began to value writing and theater. Shakespeare’s time period was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Literature was used and taught very often in London because they thought it was important for them to write. They began to value writing and theater. Elizabethan theaters were makeshift, dirty, and loud, but nevertheless they attracted audiences as large as 3,000 from all social classes. Elizabethan theaters were makeshift, dirty, and loud, but nevertheless they attracted audiences as large as 3,000 from all social classes.

6. Elizabethan Theater Since Ancient Greece, theater had gained popularity and now was a common event and form of entertainment. Since Ancient Greece, theater had gained popularity and now was a common event and form of entertainment. Theater was still extremely political. It addressed “hot” topics that the country was facing. Theater was still extremely political. It addressed “hot” topics that the country was facing. Being an actor was not a highly regarded profession; actors were looked down upon in society. Actors were looked down upon by the church because they used profanity, heresy, or politics. Being an actor was not a highly regarded profession; actors were looked down upon in society. Actors were looked down upon by the church because they used profanity, heresy, or politics.

7. The Globe Shakespeare’s plays were performed in a theater called the Globe— sometimes called “The Wooden ‘O’” because of its circular shape.

8. The reconstructed stage of the Globe Theaters had no lighting, so performances took place during the day. Theaters had no lighting, so performances took place during the day. There were few special effects or props; Shakespeare used detailed verbal description to paint a picture of his scenes. There were few special effects or props; Shakespeare used detailed verbal description to paint a picture of his scenes.

9. Context The time period in which Shakespeare lived—Elizabethan England, named for the queen— influenced the content of his plays as well as the way in which they were performed.

10. Marriage In Shakespeare’s day, marriages were generally contracts set up by the parents. In Shakespeare’s day, marriages were generally contracts set up by the parents. When Juliet’s parents arrange a marriage for her, it seems strange to us; Shakespeare’s audience would have thought it was completely normal. When Juliet’s parents arrange a marriage for her, it seems strange to us; Shakespeare’s audience would have thought it was completely normal.

11. Why we read… So why do we still read plays like Romeo and Juliet? When Shakespeare’s world was so different from ours, what can we learn from his plays? So why do we still read plays like Romeo and Juliet? When Shakespeare’s world was so different from ours, what can we learn from his plays? Well, the plays are not only great, powerful stories—they also teach lessons about life that apply to people in all cultures and time periods, and those lessons can help us when we come across hard times in our own lives. Well, the plays are not only great, powerful stories—they also teach lessons about life that apply to people in all cultures and time periods, and those lessons can help us when we come across hard times in our own lives.

12. Keep in Mind: Don’t be alarmed by the old-fashioned language: this is really a play about people who are a lot like us, and the difficult words, when you look at them carefully, express emotions anyone can understand. Don’t be alarmed by the old-fashioned language: this is really a play about people who are a lot like us, and the difficult words, when you look at them carefully, express emotions anyone can understand. And remember, the play is POETRY: it’s not supposed to be written exactly the way people talk. The poetry is part of what makes it beautiful and powerful—and worth reading. And remember, the play is POETRY: it’s not supposed to be written exactly the way people talk. The poetry is part of what makes it beautiful and powerful—and worth reading.

13. Reading the Play Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be performed—they were some of the most popular entertainment of their time. So when we read the play, the point is to try and imagine it happening onstage! Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be performed—they were some of the most popular entertainment of their time. So when we read the play, the point is to try and imagine it happening onstage! Because of the minimal props and scenery, the action in Shakespeare’s plays had to be conveyed through words and conversations. A conversation between characters is called DIALOGUE.

14. So Who’s Who Here? So Who’s Who Here? Shakespeare’s plays can have LOTS of characters. Let’s try to get them straight in our minds… First of all, all of the characters in Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet are arranged around a central conflict between two rival families: the Montagues and the Capulets. are arranged around a central conflict between two rival families: the Montagues and the Capulets.

15. The Montagues Romeo Montague Romeo’s Dad Lady Montague Romeo’s mother Mercutio Romeo’s best friend Benvolio Romeo’s cousin

16. The Capulets juliet Capulet Juliet’s father Lady Capulet Juliet’s Mother Tybalt Juliet’s cousin Nurse Juliet’s nanny

17. The Peacemakers: The Prince of Verona: This ruler tries to mediate between the feuding families. This ruler tries to mediate between the feuding families. He is pretty tired of all the bloodshed caused by their “ancient grudge.” He is pretty tired of all the bloodshed caused by their “ancient grudge.” Friar Lawrence: This religious leader is respected as a holy man by both sides, and would like to see them reconciled. This religious leader is respected as a holy man by both sides, and would like to see them reconciled. As a friar, he’s interested not only in religion, but also in medicinal herbs— which becomes important later. As a friar, he’s interested not only in religion, but also in medicinal herbs— which becomes important later.

18. And finally… One other “character”: The Chorus The Chorus The Chorus is not a part of the action, but a speaker who comes onstage to make comments on the action. The Chorus is kind of like a TV announcer in contemporary life—as far as the characters know, the chorus doesn’t exist, but he helps explain things to us.