Romeo Juliet Prologue Analysis TEXT AUDIO ORIGINAL TEXT

Romeo & Juliet ~ Prologue Analysis ~

TEXT AUDIO

ORIGINAL TEXT MODERN TEXT

Romeo & Juliet - Prologue How do we kno w it’s a so Two households, both alike in dignity, nnet? In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Romeo & Juliet - Prologue (Rhyme Scheme) A Two households, both alike in dignity, B In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, A From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, B Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. C From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; D Whose misadventured piteous overthrows C Do with their death bury their parents' strife. D The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love, E And the continuance of their parents' rage, F Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, E Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; F The which if you with patient ears attend, G What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. G

Romeo & Juliet - Prologue (Syllables) Two house In fair From an Where civ holds both a like in dig- ni- ty ve ro na where we lay our scene to new mu- tin- y civ il hands un- clean cient grudge break il blood makes

Romeo & Juliet - Prologue (Metering) U U U Two households, both alike in dignity, U U U In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, U U U From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, U U U Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. U U U From forth the fatal loins of these two foes U U U U A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; U U Whose misadventured piteous overthrows U U U Do with their death bury their parents' strife….

~ Prologue QUIZ ~

1. What is the role of the Chorus? a group of “narrators” from Greek tradition that summarizes the plot, even telling the audience how a play will end.

2. What city is used as the setting of the story? Verona, Italy

3. What have two “households” been doing in Verona? Montagues & Capulets have been feuding in an “ancient grudge”.

4. Which literary device is being used in Line 5: “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes”? alliteration (from, forth, fatal, foes)

5. What does Line 8 suggest will happen in the end? True love will ultimately triumph over hate; the lovers’ death will end the families’ feud.

6. How long would this play have lasted (Line 12)? two hours

7. Which words best describe the TONE of the Prologue? sad, serious, forboding, ominous, tragic…