William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

1. William Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet An Introduction April 14

2. Background • Born in 1564 in a small English town called Stratford-upon-Avon. • He grew up during the Elizabethan Era 2 2

3. Background • Shakespeare entered the world of theater as a principal actor, playwright, and manager. • He was part owner of the Globe Theater, one of the main theaters in London during this time. 3 3

4. Master of Vocabulary • In less than 25 years Shakespeare wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several other poems. • He used between 25,000 and 29,000 different words in his works. The entire King James Bible used 6,000. 4 4

5. Sonnets • Four parts: Three Quatrains, each having its own rhyme scheme and a rhymed couplet • Quatrains are four lines of poetry that rhyme • Couplets are two-lined rhymes • Rhyme Scheme is the pattern of end rhyme in a poem • The typical rhyme scheme of a Shakespeare poem is abab cdcd efef gg 5 5

6. Romeo and Juliet • It’s a tragedy- but is it the most tragic love story ever told? • Modeled after Aristotle’s Tragic Hero • Person is of high status or importance • Usually has a flaw • Events that lead to a hero’s downfall are connected • Hero realizes what has happened and quickly falls to their demise • Hero’s fall destroys the hero and all those around them 6 6

7. Sonnet 116 • So what does Shakespeare really think? • True love: • does not ask the other to change (Quatrain 1) • remains even through the toughest of situations (Quatrain 2) • looks at the inner beauty of a person and doesn’t go away with age (Quatrain 3) • Prove me wrong and I’ll never write again, and no man will ever love again (Couplet)

8. SongsInspired by Romeo & Juliet • Directions: • Each partner will read through a song and answer the two questions as you read. • YOU WILL HAVE 4 MINUTES • Next, you will share your responses with your partner using evidence from the text to justify you answers • You will each have 2 minutes to share... • Finally, both of you will answer the Drawing Conclusion Questions 1-3. • You will have 4 minutes to complete

9. The Prologue • Homework tonight will be to read The Prologue and answer the questions. • The Prologue of every Shakespearean play basically tells the audience the plot of the entire play. It is usually sung by the Chorus. • Let’s take a look...

10. Two households…

11. Both alike in dignity…

12. In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…

13. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny…

14. Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

15. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

16. A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.

17. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet • During the 1300s, in the northern Italian city of Verona, two kids from families that hate each other fall in love. • The families have been fighting for so long, they don’t remember why the fighting started. This is called a feud.

18. Romeo belongs to the House of Montague. • Juliet belongs to the House of Capulet. • Juliet’s family wants her to marry Count Paris, a relative of the Prince of Verona.

19. Romeo and Juliet have other plans that get destroyed because of their families’ feud. • The “star-cross’d lovers” would rather die then live without each other.

20. Balthasar (Romeo’s Servant) Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin) Romeo Montague (Father)

21. Capulet (Juliet’s Father) Juliet Lady Capulet (Juliet’s Mother) Nurse (Raised Juliet) Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin)

22. Prince Escalus (Prince of Verona) Paris (Most preferred suitor of Juliet, relative of the Prince) Mercutio (Cousin of Prince Escalus and Romeo’s best friend) FriarLawrence

23. Romeo and Juliet = Drama • A story acted out in the form of a play • Includes the following elements: • Acts, setting, characters, plot, conflict, & climax • Unlike a movie filmed in very realistic settings, a stage play has to use artificial means to bring drama to life. • All the action is spelled out in a script (the written form of a play).

24. Look For… • Dialogue • The words that the characters speak • Stage directions • Are the instructions and other information for staging the play • Usually in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ] and written in italics

25. Staging • The act of putting on a play that includes all the elements that bring drama to life: • Scenery, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, visual effects, music, sound effects, directing, and acting.

26. Dialogue Vs. Stage Directions Scene 1. [Verona. A public place.] Enter Sampson and Gregory, with swords and Bucklers, of the house of Capulet Sampson. Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals. Gregory. No, for then we should be colliers. Stage Directions Dialogue

27. Community Circle NORMS: Mutual Respect, Active Listening, No Put-Downs Topic: To me love means… Is this love you describe capable of changing? 10 pts. Answer both questions in complete sentences using textual evidence 5pts. Answer one question in complete sentences using textual evidence

28. Why Shakespeare? • Illumination of the human experience • Great stories • Compelling characters • Ability to turn a phrase • Infinite and worldly influence

29. Why Romeo And Juliet? • His most famous play • Considered greatest love story ever told • Complexity of the characters • Resonating tragedy • Relatable and timelessness