Romeo and Juliet

1. Romeo and Juliet

2. Or… • How to fall in forbidden love….

3. Or… How to dishonor your family and ruin your life…

4. Or… A typical story of young love…where everyone dies…

5. Right off the bat… • Yes we will watch the movies… • As we read, we’ll watch the original Romeo and Juliet made in 1968 This version is accurate to the original text and setting. And Romeo looks shockingly like Zack Efron…it’s weird.

6. After we read, we’ll watch the updated version made in 1996 This version is set in modern day Los Angeles, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Clair Danes

7. An overview • The Setting • The Plot • The Characters • Lit Terms To Know

8. Learning targets • Describe the setting and plot of R&J • Identify important characters and how they tie in to the story • Define key literary terms that you will need to understand as we read

9. The setting • Verona, Italy • A small city ruled by a prince, but dominated by powerful families

10. The setting • In Verona Italy in the late 1400s or early 1500s. The date is never really stated. • The entire plot of the play takes place in less than week…

11. The plot • Two rival families (the Montagues and Capulets) have a long standing feud. • As fate has it, the Capulet daughter (Juliet) and Montague son (Romeo) meet at a party and fall instantly, madly in “love” • (Question to Consider: What proves it’s actually love?)

12. The plot • Knowing they cannot be together, they make plans to secretly marry (Logical right?) • But, Juliet is already supposed to be married off to this guy named Paris • People start to kill each other and Romeo ends up banned from the city

13. The plot • With Romeo banished, the two still try to find a way to be together • Unfortunately everything goes downhill, and the audience gets their tragedy (Coming Later: What are the different parts of the plot that make a Literary Tragedy?)

14. The characters • Lord and Lady Capulet (Juliet’s parents) • Anxious to get their daughter married off to a worthy gentleman (Paris) • In a long-standing bitter feud with the Montagues • A distinct parenting style…not necessarily bad, but not good either.

15. The characters • Juliet • 13 years old • To be wed to Paris any day now • Has never been in love before

16. The characters • The nurse • Has raised Juliet from birth, almost like a nanny • Has a dirty sense of humor • Plays a crucial role in Juliet’s happiness

17. The characters • Tybalt Capulet • Juliet’s Cousin • A “chest thumper”

18. The characters • Lord and Lady Montague • Romeo’s Parents • In feud with the Capulets • Not very important to the story. You won’t hear much from them.

19. The characters • Romeo Montague • Age is never really clear…some say 16 or 17 years old. Some say he could be as old as his late 20s • An emotional romantic • Falls quickly in and out of love

20. The characters • Friar Lawrence • A local religious leader • Is tired of the feud and will do just about anything to end it • Plays a key role in the drama

21. The characters • Benvolio Montague • Romeo’s Cousin • Level-headed and honest • Cares about Romeo as a brother

22. The characters • Mercutio • Romeo’s best friend • His name is based on “Mercury” or “Mercurial” which means volatile and quick to change • An actor’s favorite • Watch out for his jokes…

23. The characters • Paris • Juliet’s Fiancé • Prince Escalus • Prince of Verona • The Apothecary • A “Pharmacist”

24. Lit terms to know • Literary Tragedy • Not just a sad story…although it might be sad • Characters lose life, power, love or their passions because of their own actions. They bring it on themselves • A virtue is taken too far and becomes a vice Obsession Naiveté Jealousy Love Innocence Protectiveness

25. Lit terms to know • Dramatic Irony • Dramatic Irony: We (the audience) know things that the characters do not know…Suspense builds as we wait for them to “figure it out” • Other Kinds of Irony: • Situational Irony: We expect one thing but the opposite happens • Verbal Irony: We expect one word but another (usually humorous) word is used

26. Lit terms to know • Character Foil • The behavior of one character emphasizes the opposite behavior of another • For Example: One character is so kind and honest that it makes the other character seem like an evil liar…

27. Lit terms to know • Symbolism • An object or event stands for a bigger idea Birds = Freedom Dove = peace Rain = Sorrow Sunrise = New beginning

28. Free Write • What issues do teens deal with the most today? How are they handled? Is there anything wrong with the way teens are treated/dealt with/viewed, etc? What should change about the way teens are treated? • 1 page • GO!

29. Rate yourself • Rate yourself 1-4 on the following learning targets • 4: I know it so well I could teach someone else • 3: I understand it pretty clearly • 2: I could probably complete the task about halfway • 1: I’m lost • Target #1: Describe the setting and plot of R&J • Target #2: Identify important characters and how they tie in to the story • Target #3: Define key literary terms that you will need to understand as we read