SHAKESPEARE'S INFLUENCE

Which of the following does NOT describe Mercutio as he is portrayed in Shakespeare's play?

He has cold hands.

Which of the following changes did Shakespeare NOT make when he adapted the text for his play?

He reduced the role of several characters.

Which of the following authors wrote works based on the story of Romeo and Juliet before Shakespeare wrote his play?

Matteo Bandello

Which of these characters does NOT have a greatly-increased presence in Shakespeare's play as compared to Brooke's poem?

Prince Escalus

Both excerpts focus on the Prince's reaction to the Capulet and Montague feud. How do the two excerpts compare? Which one holds your interest more and why? What changes did Shakespeare make in form, content, and style when he adapted Brooke's poem? In the space below, write a 150-word essay comparing and contrasting the two excerpts. Include at least three specific references to the text.

Romeo and Juliet, which ranks among Shakespeare's most popular and well-known plays, is considered by some critics to be the first and greatest example of romantic tragedy written during the Renaissance. The play centers on two youths from feuding families who, upon falling in love, attempt to defy social custom, patriarchal power, and destiny. Their efforts meet with disastrous results, including the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio, as well as the tragic demise of Romeo and Juliet. Contemporary critics, like their predecessors, often focus on the titular characters, searching for flaws that may be said to have contributed to their tragedy, or, in contrast, defending the lovers against such attacks. Mercutio's character is also the subject of critical analyses, as some critics feel that his death marks a turning point in the play from comedy to tragedy. Other areas of critical scholarship include examinations of patriarchal power, as well as the language, imagery, and structure of the play. Just as these issues are examined by critics in print, directors also explore issues of characterization and language in performance and film. Numerous reviewers have commented on such contemporary productions of Romeo and Juliet as Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, as well as various live performances.

narrative poem

a poem that tells a story, whether long or short

meter

a poem's rhythm, affected by syllable count, the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, and rhyme scheme

poulter's measure

a type of poetic verse featuring rhyming couplets of alternating 12-syllable and 14-syllable lines

tension

building of suspense through anticipation and conflict

Shakespeare, however, wrote his play primarily in blank verse, or unrhymed iambic pentameter, with 10 syllables per line in a pattern of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables.

just some extra info

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of poulter's verse?

some 10-syllable lines

pacing

the rate at which the play's action moves, based on the timing of events

How does Shakespeare increase emphasis on the conflict between the families in the play as compared to Brooke's poem?

The play begins with a fight between the families.

Why did Shakespeare most likely decide to write a play based on the story of Romeo and Juliet?

Tales adapted from Italian stories were popular at the time.

Which of these best compares the timeframe of Brooke's poem and Shakespeare's play?

The action of the play takes place during four days, and the poem during many months.