Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

byby

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

(1595)(1595)

Turn to page 483Turn to page 483

The play begins with a “Prologue” The play begins with a “Prologue” delivered by the Chorus.delivered by the Chorus.– ChorusChorus

An actor who addresses the audience directly An actor who addresses the audience directly and comments upon the action. Like a and comments upon the action. Like a narrator.narrator.

– ProloguePrologue 14 lines of iambic pentameter – sound 14 lines of iambic pentameter – sound

familiar?familiar? It’s a sonnet! It provides exposition It’s a sonnet! It provides exposition

(background) and defines themes.(background) and defines themes.Let’s read it aloud…

What does the Prologue tell What does the Prologue tell us?us?

1.1. Establishes settingEstablishes setting1.1. Verona, ItalyVerona, Italy

2.2. Establishes conflict (struggle)Establishes conflict (struggle)1.1. There is an “ancient feud” between 2 There is an “ancient feud” between 2

families, which has reignited.families, which has reignited.1.1. Montagues vs. CapuletsMontagues vs. Capulets

3.3. Sets the stage for Sets the stage for Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony1.1. The audience knows within the first 30 The audience knows within the first 30

seconds that Romeo and Juliet are seconds that Romeo and Juliet are going to die!going to die!

4.4. Tells how long the play will be, and Tells how long the play will be, and tells the audience to pay attention!tells the audience to pay attention!

1.1. ““the 2 hours traffic of our stage”the 2 hours traffic of our stage”

2.2. A modern production of A modern production of Romeo and Romeo and JulietJuliet runs 3 hours long. runs 3 hours long.

Terms for Romeo and JulietTerms for Romeo and Juliet

1.1. PunPun1.1. A humorous use of a word or phrase to A humorous use of a word or phrase to

suggest two or more meanings at the suggest two or more meanings at the same time.same time.1.1. Two antennas went to a wedding, the service Two antennas went to a wedding, the service

was boring but the reception was great.was boring but the reception was great.

2.2. FoilFoil1.1. A character who sets off another A character who sets off another

character by contrast.character by contrast.1.1. Benvolio = PeacemakerBenvolio = Peacemaker

2.2. Tybalt = fighterTybalt = fighter

3.3. SoliloquySoliloquySolo: aloneSolo: alone

Loq: to speakLoq: to speak

1.1. A lengthy speech in which a character A lengthy speech in which a character alone on stagealone on stage expresses his/her inner expresses his/her inner thoughts aloud.thoughts aloud.

4.4. AsideAside1.1. Words spoken by a character in an Words spoken by a character in an

undertone that other characters do undertone that other characters do not hear (short comment).not hear (short comment).

5.5. MonologueMonologue1.1. A long speech others can hear.A long speech others can hear.

6.6. Heroic CoupletHeroic Couplet1.1. 2 lines of rhymed iambic pentameter 2 lines of rhymed iambic pentameter

that express a complete thought.that express a complete thought.

7.7. Comic ReliefComic Relief1.1. Moments of humor in a tragedy that Moments of humor in a tragedy that

lighten the mood.lighten the mood.

2.2. The play begins with comic relief!The play begins with comic relief!1.1. Samson and Gregory’s punSamson and Gregory’s pun

8.8. ForeshadowingForeshadowing1.1. A line or event that gives a clue about A line or event that gives a clue about

what is going to happen.what is going to happen.

9.9. MotivationMotivation1.1. The reasons behind a character’s actions.The reasons behind a character’s actions.

10.10. ClimaxClimax1.1. Turning point in the play after which the Turning point in the play after which the

situation for the main character will situation for the main character will improve (comedy) or get worse (tragedy).improve (comedy) or get worse (tragedy).

2.2. In Shakespeare, the climax In Shakespeare, the climax alwaysalways comes comes in Act 3.in Act 3.

11.11. CatastropheCatastrophe1.1. The final events of dramatic tragedy or The final events of dramatic tragedy or

action.action.

12.12. History PlayHistory Play1.1. A play set in a non-fiction past about A play set in a non-fiction past about

royalty or power struggle.royalty or power struggle.1.1. Julius Caesar, for example.Julius Caesar, for example.

13.13. ““In Medea Res”In Medea Res”1.1. Starts in the middle... Latin for “in the Starts in the middle... Latin for “in the

middle of things”middle of things”