Romeo and Juliet An Introduction l All Setting

Romeo and Juliet An Introduction

l All Setting Priorities people believe that certain things are more important in life than other things. Deciding those things is called setting priorities. l Shakespeare and other Elizabethans (people who lived while Queen Elizabeth was ruling) knew exactly what their priorities were.

had a duty in life Shakespeareanl Everyone to fulfill Priorities l One did not question those King Church Parents Self in power such as church, parents, or king. l If one did not do exactly as expected in one’s station in life, they were severely punished l They believed king/queen ruled by divine appointment (God chose them) so they were not be questioned

Comparing Your Priorities Your Priority #1 Your Priority #2 Your Priority #3 Your Priority #4 What are your priorities? What are the most important things in your life? l Make a diagram like the one above and fill in your priorities. l Write 150 -200 words that help explain your belief system. l

The Characters of Romeo and Juliet

The Capulets Lord Capulet – also called “Capulet, ” Juliet’s father and patriarch of Capulet family. Hates Lord Montague. Loves his daughter, but can have a temper. l Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mother, Capulet’s wife. Married young, wants daughter to marry Paris. l Juliet – daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet. 13 years old, very naïve. Supposed to marry Paris, but falls for Romeo instead. Trusts only her nurse. l

The Capulets continued Tybalt – Juliet’s cousin; very vain, fashionable. Has a temper and can be violent. HATES Montagues. l Nurse – Juliet’s “nanny, ” who has cared for Juliet her entire life. Funny, loyal, trustworthy, does not understand idealistic love. l Peter – Capulet servant, illiterate, invites guests to Capulet party. l

The Montagues Lord Montague – aka “Montague, ” Romeo’s father, patriarch of Montague family. Hates the Capulets, worries about Romeo being so depressed. l Lady Montague – Romeo’s mother, Montague’s wife. Dies of grief after Romeo is exiled. l Romeo – son of Lord and Lady Montague; about 16 years old; Handsome, intelligent, sensitive; idealistic, immature, passionate. Madly in love with Rosaline until he meets Juliet. l

The Montagues continued l Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin; thoughtful friend to Romeo, tries to be a peacemaker in public, tries to get Romeo’s mind off of Rosaline. l Balthasar – Romeo’s servant, brings Romeo the news of Juliet’s death, unaware that it is fake. l Abram – Montague’s servant

The Others Prince Escalus – Prince of Verona. Related to Mercutio and Paris; wants to maintain peace at all times. l Mercutio – Related to the prince, Romeo’s best friend. Witty, imaginative, hotheaded, thinks Romeo is too idealistic. l Friar John – supposed to tell Romeo about Juliet’s false death but is quarantined. The news never reaches Romeo. l

The Others continued Friar Lawrence – friend of Romeo and Juliet. Kind, peace-minded, always has a plan, secretly performs marriage ceremony for Romeo and Juliet, hoping for peace in Verona. l Count Paris – Related to the prince, suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet, acts as if he and Juliet are already married when Capulet says he can marry her. l An Apothecary – druggist, sold poison to Romeo l

Whose House Am I? Montagues l Romeo l Father and Lady Montague l Mercutio-friend to Romeo l Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin l Balthasar. Romeo’s servant Capulets Unaffiliated l Friar Lawrence l Juliet -marries R & J l Father and Lady Capulet l Apothecary. Gives poison l Nurse to Romeo l Tybalt-Juliet’s l Paris-Juliet’s cousin fiancé l Sampson, Gregory, Peterservants

l Symbolic Tableaus representations l People pose and freeze in a way that shows relationships among characters in a symbolic way l Example-Father Capulet is standing above and in the middle of Romeo and Juliet as they look at each other lovingly but at a distance l Explanation-Father stands above because he is in a position of authority and respect. He stands in the middle because he is trying to come between the couple’s love. R & J are at a distance from one another because their families want to force them apart