Romeo and Juliet The Tragedy Written in Shakespeares

Romeo and Juliet

The Tragedy • Written in Shakespeare’s early career about 1591. • Tale of two young starcrossed lovers. • Most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers. • Based on Arthur Brooke’s The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet.

Montagues

Montagues • • • Romeo-son of Montague Lord Montague-Romeo’ dad Lady Montague-Romeo’s mom Benvolio-Romeo’s cousin/friend Balthasar- servant of Romeo Abram-servant of Montague

Capulets

Capulets Juliet-daughter of Capulet Lord Capulet- Juliet’s dad Lady Capulet- Juliet’s mom Nurse-Juliet’s servant Peter- servant to Nurse Tybalt- Juliet’s cousin, nephew of Capulet Sampson- servant Gregory-servant

Others

Other Characters Chorus- actor who introduces Act I and II Prince Escalus- ruler of Verona Count Paris- young nobleman, relative of Prince Page- servant to Paris Mercutio- Romeo’s friend, relative of Prince Friar Lawrence- priest Friar John- priest Apothecary- pharmacist/druggist

Drama • A story performed by actors on a stage in front of an audience.

Acts • A major division (stop) in the action of the play. • Shakespeare’s plays were always 5 Acts.

Scenes • A division of an Act.

Protagonist • Central character in the story around which the plot is centered. • Usually seen as the “good” guy.

Antagonist • A character who sets up obstacles for the protagonist. • Usually seen as the “bad” guy.

Soliloquy • Actor is alone on stage and speaks his thoughts out loud.

Aside • a character’s direct address to the audience, which is not heard by the other characters.

Dramatic Irony • The audience or the reader knows something important that a character in the play does not know.

Puns • A humorous play on words. • Mercutio: “Nay, gently Romeo, we must have you dance. ” • Romeo: “Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead…” (Act 1. 4).

Allusions • A reference to a well known work of art, music, literature or history. • “At lovers’ perjuries, they say Jove laughs” (Act 2. 2). • Jove is another name for Jupiter, the Roman King of the Gods.

Metaphor • A direct comparison between two unlike things. • Romeo: “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? / Is it the east, and Juliet is the sun” (Act 2. 2).

Personification • Occurs when an inanimate object or concept is given the qualities of a person or animal. • Juliet: “For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night / Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back. / Come, gently night, come, loving blackbrow’d night” (Act 2. 2).

Oxymorons • Describes when two juxtaposed words have opposing or very diverse meanings. • Juliet: “Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical!” (Act 3. 2)

Paradox • Statement or situation with seemingly contradictory or incompatible components. • Juliet: “O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face” (Act 3. 2).

Foreshadowing • Reference to something that will happen later in the story. • Juliet: “Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die, / Take him and cut him out in little stars, / And he will make the face of heaven so fine / That all the world will be in love with night / And pay no worship to garish sun” (Act 3. 2).

Themes • Light/Dark – Sun, torches/night, gloom • Love/Hate • Love/Lust • Time – Hours, rushed • Fate/Free Will – “star-crossed, ” fate, destiny, the stars