Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Revision and Introduction The

Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Revision and Introduction

The Natural Order Shakespearean plays are mainly based on the disturbance of the natural order. Whether it is a comedy or a tragedy is based on how the order is restored. A tragedy is when the natural order is restored by bloodshed/death. A comedy will be when the natural order is restored by love or marriage.

Structural Elements of a Shakespearean tragedy adopted by Greek structures Shakespeare adopted Greek structures for his own plays. These included: Hamartia- the flaw in character which leads to the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy. Peripiteia- (esp in drama) an abrupt turn of events or reversal of circumstances. Anagnorisis-(in Greek tragedy) the recognition or discovery by the protagonist of the identity of some character or the nature of his own predicament, which leads to the resolution of the plot; denouement.

Sonnets are a poetic form which explore two contrasting ideas, emotions, situations or states of mind. There a few types of sonnet structures. Shakespeare's sonnets were very flexible but the main structure of his sonnets went as follows: 3 quatrains of alternating rhyme and a couplet: abab cdcd efef gg

Entertainment during the Elizabethan Era (1558– 1603). Gambling Bear baiting Fairs Hawking Hunting Plays Miracle plays Card games

Shakespeare’s Audience Groundlings: Most of the poorer audience members, referred to as groundlings, would pay one penny (which was almost an entire day's wage) to stand in front of the stage. The rich: The richer patrons would sit in the covered galleries, paying as much as half a crown (2 shillings and a sixpence) each for their seats.

You will need to join the Edmodo group for this term. Please login to your Edmodo and join the group: 4 y 3 pg 4 You will then need to download the study guide for the play.

Social and Historical Context Romeo and Juliet 1597 Patriarchal Society: This was a time when society was dominated by men. While women could influence their husbands they did not have any overall say in decisions. Children were seen as property and could be ‘given’ to someone to marry should the marriage benefit the family in terms of social or economic advantages. Primogeniture was the system of wealth and titles being handed to male heirs only. In the absence of a male heir, women would be allowed to inherit such wealth and titles but if the woman was married then this was not an option. Catholic: This was during the time of Queen Elizabeth and although protestant herself, she allowed a strong catholic ethos is English society.

Social and Historical Context Socially: People were divided into two main groups; aristocrats (nobles) and everyone else! Aristocrats had money, power and status. There was no middle class. There was also belief in ‘The Great Chain of Being’ and any disturbance to this chain would cause chaos. The idea of a ‘middle class’ did not develop until after the death of Shakespeare. Status of women: women did not have many legal rights and did not receive and education. They were limited to domestic roles.

Setting The play is set in Verona, an Italian city traditionally associated with hot-bloodedness and passion, and one which Shakespeare probably never visited. But the play's setting points to the Elizabethan obsession with Renaissance Italy - considered the height of fashion, particularly where young lovers were concerned.

Courtly Love Courtly love was the admiration of a woman from afar. Courtly love was usually a secret between the two people and a few close confidants. This was usually a secret as they were married. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet we know that their courtly love is due to the fact that their families are at war. Quite often the people involved in courtly love were unable to have a physical relationship.

Continued • In courtly love it is also customary for the male to be very lavish and “over-the-top” in his praise of the female. In the passage from Act II below, Romeo has seen Juliet step out onto her balcony. Notice how he describes the beauty of her eyes and cheek: The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night

Study Guide Questions from the guide can be answered either in your books of in your laptops; however, you will need to be consistent.

Homework. What happens in Scene 1 Act 1?

Tasks for marking • Compare Romeo’s behaviour and attitude to his peers. Use evidence to support your explanation. • Explain how the hamartia is established in Act 1 Scene 1. Use evidence to support your explanation. Follow a proper structure. Point Evidence from the text Explanation Link