Romeo & Juliet background

What other version of "Romeo and Juliet" did Shakespeare read?

"The goodly history of the true and constant love between Romeo and Julietta" written by William Painter.

Themes to look for in Romeo and Juliet?

-Fate rules! We have no power over fate. -People can be overcome by an all consuming love. -Some people love to hastily

What's the imagery in Romeo and Juliet?

-Light and dark -Symbols of death -Appearance vs. Reality

What was the 1st change Shakespeare made to "Romeo and Juliet"?

1. He compresses time. Brooke's poem lasts 9 months, and Shakespeare's play lasts 5 days.

What was the 2nd change Shakespeare made to "Romeo and Juliet"?

2. He developed the characters more. Plot wasn't important.

What was the 3rd change Shakespeare made to "Romeo and Juliet"?

3. He speeds up the action and offers no subplot. The emphasis is on Romeo and Juliet.

How did Author Brooke find "Romeo and Juliet"?

A french translation of a piece by Boisteau.

What's a drama?

A literary art form that recreates human life and emotion.

Concealment?

Allows a character to be seen by the audience but remain hidden from the other actors. It shows the audience perceptions of the various characters.

Aside?

Allows a character to speak directly to the audience w/o being overheard by other characters. This is audience involvement on a personal level.

Soliloquy?

Allows a character to speak their mind aloud in a lengthy speech, usually alone onstage, but not directly to the audience. This involves introspection, revealing thoughts and feelings.

Who wrote the original Romeo and Juliet?

Author Brooke wrote a long Italian poem called, "The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" (1562).

Setting of Romeo and Juliet?

It's set in Verona, Italy. It's essentially an Elizabethan play.

Did Shakespeare plagiarize?

The language was his own but he "borrowed" the story. He took the old stories with new life.

What's a tragedy?

Tragedy presents the protagonist (tragic hero) with a moral decision that influences the outcome.

Foreshadowing?

Uses hints or clues in a narrative that suggests what action is to come.