1. William Shakespeare
A WRITER FOR ALL TIME

2. TOTUS MUNDUS AGIT HISTRIONEM
Latin words literally mean, “All the world plays the actor.” Globe Motto: ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

3. Shakespeare Born April 23, 1564 Stratford-on-Avon, England
Married Anne Hathaway
Wrote about 154 sonnets, 37 plays
Had the globe theater built (Queen Elizabeth funded), on Thames river
Died 1616 on his 52 birthday

4. Actor for “Lord Chamberlain’s Men” (acting company.)
Later, the company was renamed
“The King’s Men.”
*Known as the Renaissance Man
*Known as the Bard (lyric poet)of Avon

5. Shakespeare wrote: Comedies-white flag at the Globe
Histories –red flag at the globe
Tragedies-black flag at the globe

6. Romeo and Juliet Considered a tragedy
West Side Story (Movie) based on R&J

7. TRAGEDY
main character, or protagonist, has a fatal flaw which causes disaster, or death at the end.
There is a catastrophe at the end (resolution)
Usually has dramatic irony, which purpose is to build suspense. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows what the characters do not know
Fate plays a part in the downfall of the protagonist.

8. The Theater Plays produced for the general public Roofless>open air
No artificial lighting
Tiring house
The Heavens

9. Spectators Wealthy sat on benches under a thatched roof
“Groundlings” or “stinklings”-participated in the action of the play by yelling, sneering, or throwing food. Cost to stand in courtyard floor: a penny
All but wealthy were uneducated/illiterate, yet all enjoyed.

10. Staging Areas *Stage extended into the pit
*second-level gallery where the famous balcony scene in R & J took place
*Trap door>ghosts or witches

11. DETAILS
No scenery
Elaborate, detailed, and colorful costumes and props
Theater would hold 3000 spectators

12. Actors Only men and boys
Young boys whose voices had not changed play women’s roles
Would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

13. Elizabethan Words Anon: Soon Aye: Yes But: Except for E’en: Even
Livery: A distinctive uniform or look

14. More words to translate
Haply: Perhaps
Hence: Away, from here
Hie: Hurry
Marry: Indeed

15. …and more
Morrow – morning
Prithee – please
Sirrah – servant
Hither – here
Wanton (not just an Elizabethan word, but FYI)- willful, unrestrained

16. Blank Verse Much of R & J is written in blank verse: unrhymed
iambic (unstressed, stressed)
pentameter( 5 “feet” to a line)
ends up to be 10 syllable lines

17. But the prologue…
Is a
SONNET

18. The sequence of events in a literary work
Plot
The sequence of events in a literary work

19. Exposition
The introductory information for the story. Root word: expose
setting
characters
basic situation

20. Inciting Moment Often called “initial incident”
the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot
Romeo and Juliet “lock eyes” at the party

21. Conflict The struggle that develops man vs. man man vs. himself
man vs. society
man vs. nature
-man vs technology

22. Act One
The exposition
Act two
The rising action

23. Climax - Act III
The turning point of the story-the point at which the plot (story) actually changes course.
There is an event which changes the direction of the story. Then the plot begins to unravel.

24. ACT IV
The story unravels, or the action begins to fall. Conflict all but disappears.
Characters respond to what has happened.

25. Resolution – ACT V The end of the central conflict
In a tragedy, the resolution is called the catastrophe

26. Denouement The final explanation or outcome of the plot
If this is included in literature, it will occur after the resolution.

27. Theme
Central lesson or idea
Insight about life
Theme of R&J

28. Dramatic Foil
A character whose purpose is to show off another character through contrast
Benvolio for Tybalt

29. Round characters
Characters who have many personality traits, like real people. Example: Romeo, Friar, Juliet

30. Flat Characters One-dimensional, embodying only a single trait
Shakespeare often uses them to provide comic relief even in a tragedy
Example: Mercutio, Nurse

31. Static Characters
Characters within a story who remain the same. They do not change. They do not change their minds, opinions or character.
Example: Tybalt, Prince

32. Dynamic Character
Characters that change somehow during the course of the plot. They generally change for the better. Example: Juliet changes from an immature girl to a mature young woman

33. Monologue
One person speaking on stage - may be another character on stage too
Ex: the Prince of Verona commanding the Capulets and Montagues to cease feuding

34. Soliloquy
Long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage. In R & J, Romeo gives a soliloquy after the servant has fled and Paris has died.

35. Aside
Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters
Can be directed toward another character or to the audience
Think Zack from “Saved by the Bell.”

36. Stage Directions
Notes in a play that describe how the work should be performed, or staged. These instructions are for the player and director.
When performing the play, stage directions are never spoken
Dialogue - A conversation between two or more characters. Dialogue reveals the personalities of the characters and advances the action of the play.

37. Pun Shakespeare loved to use them!!!
Humorous use of a word with two meanings.
Ex: Sole and soul

38. OXYMORON
-A figure of speech that brings together two contradictory terms
“cheerful pessimist”
“wise fool”
“jumbo shrimp”
“sweet sorrow”- Shakespeare
“loving hate” - Shakespeare

39. Direct Address Words that tell the reader who is being addressed:
“A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit.”
The word “ho” is not a noun of direct address. LOL!

40. Dramatic Irony
A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/audience knows to be true

41. Verbal Irony Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant
Sarcasm is verbal irony, though verbal irony is not always sarcasm

42. Situational Irony
An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience

43. Comic Relief
Use of comedy within literature to provide “relief” from seriousness or sadness. “Lightens up” the moment.
In R & J, look for moments of comic relief that help “relieve” the tragedy of the situation