William Shakespeare: John and Mary Shakespeare, parents. Stratford on Avon village. Probably got a "grammar school" education (educated but not a "university man"). Married Anne Hathaway at 18; three children. Robert Greene complains of "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers, that with his tiger's heart wrapped in a player's hid, supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the best...being an absolute Yohannes factotum, is in his own conceit the only Shakescene in a country." 1593 - plague closes theaters and players go on tour. Forms "Lord Chamberlaine's" company with Burbage and Will Kemp. Became "King's Players." 37 plays. 1616 Died, left second best bed (her favorite) to his wife. Traditions: Italian dramatic conventions modeled, copied. Techniques: Stylistic language used in R&J - built works out of well-knwon stories his day. (language tricks, puns, lyric poetry, prose, rhyme schemes, oxymoron, foreshadowing, coincidence, contrast, dramatic irony) Popular tragic writing featured action, color, and incredible wickedness. Contrast is the fundamental principle in Shakespearean drama. R&J Time is compressed into five days. Action moves quickly. Plot is least important -- Characterization is most important. The marriage is the climax (early in the play). Act 11, sc i is the turning point and thereafter the fortunes of R&J go quickly downhill until the catastrophe in the last scene. Play is constructed to bring about contrasts betwen characters -- in the final scene what role does coincidence play? (letter misses Romeo, Paris happens to be a the tomb same time as Romeo and Romeo kills self minutes before Juliet awakens). Shakespeare Links Shakespeare life and times : Biography, Timeline, links The Shakespeare Classroom: multi-purpose Shakespeare information Shakespeare and Renaissance: lists of links to use to learn about Shakespeare and Elizabethan England Complete works of Shakespeare: texts of plays, sonnets Shakespeare's Globe: old and new Globe theaters Renaissance England lifestyles: what life was like in Elizabethan England Virtual tour of the Renaissance: Renaissance life An Outline of Shakespeare's Life: thorough - links about all aspects of his life and times THE SONNET Definition: the sonnet is a 14 line lyric poem usually written in rhymed iambic pentameter. Sonnets usually express a single theme or idea. Lyric poem: a poem that expresses the person's feelings Iambic pentameter: a pattern of ten unstressed and stressed syllables in a line of peotry. Meter: a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry. Foot: measures the meter in a line blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter. Two major types of sonnet: Petrarchan (or Italian) 14 lines - iambic pentameter one octave (group of 8 lines) followed by a sestet (groups of 6 lines) octave usually poses a problem or presents an idea Sestet usually solves the problem or develops the idea Rhyme scheme of octave is usually abba abba Rhyme scheme of sestet is cdcdcd or cdecde or cdccdc This rhyme scheme separates the octave from the sestet. The reader is aware that all the lines belong to one part or another of the poem. English (or Elizabethan or Shakesperean) 14 lines - iambic pentameter 3 Quatraines (groups of 4 lines) rhyming abab cdcd efef Concludes with a couplet (two rhyming lines: gg) Quatraines usually state the same basic idea in three different ways. Couplet resolves or sums up the idea presented in the quatrain. Sonnet 116 Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds. Or bends with the remover to remove. O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. "For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." to Seventh Grade Page to Eighth Grade Page to Home Page Notes for ROMEO AND JULIET What Dramatic Purposes are served in Act One? Scene 1: 1. the street fighting gets the attention of audience and reveals the extent and seriousness of feud. 2. leading characters introduced (except for Mercutio and Juliet) 3. Time and setting announced and the action, dress, talk and disposistions of characters are established. 4. conflict which is the theme of this tradgedy is revealed in the romance threatened by a family feud. 5. Benvolio's prophecy of his own death, and the taking place of this death so soon afterwards prepares the audience for further tragic developments for other characters. Scene 2: 1. announces Prince's decision concerning how to discipline Capulet and Montague 2. intro Paris as suitor for Juliet 3. shows Capulet as talkative matchmaker, anxious to please Prince by marrying Juliet to Paris (related to Prince) 4. possible solution for Romeo's lovesickness 5. difficulties of servants are comic relief for audience Scene 3: 1. Juliet is shown as unspoiled, innocent, charming, submissive, normal girl 2. reveals what Capulets' home situation is like 3. develops Lady Capulet, Nurse 4. Masquerade is to prepare audience for what follows in the tragedy Scene 4: 1. Suspense is sustained for audience concerning the outcome of the masque 2. audience reminded of Romeo's lovesick state. 3. Mercutio introduced. 4. Foreshadow tradegy to come -- Romeo's fears and feelings Scene 5: 1. Masquerade is a spectacle -- features party atmosphere (gaiety, music, dancing, beautiful dresses) a quarrel, a love scene, contrasts of mood, suspense builds, and complex characters 2. Romeo and Juliet meet in a harmonious manner -- sonnet interchange. 3. Foreshadows tragedy through the alienation, hostility of Tybalt 4. Characters of Capulet and Romeo develop. Juliet is gentle; Tybalt is unruly and barbaric. What Dramatic Purposes are served in ACT TWO? Scene 1: 1. Romeo's new love puts him in turmoil. His friends are unaware of this new turn of events -- those events are full of consequences. 2. Mercutio's personality is developed. 3. 2nd meeting of star crossed lovers. 4. this scene is a brief interlude before action speeds up Scene 2: 1. Juliet and Romeo are betrothed 2. Balcony scene illuminates their remance - moonlight, danger, vow-making and romantic behavior) 3. Prepare for Friar Laurence Scene 3: 1. Friar is an accomplished herbalist 2. arrangements for marriage are complete 3. foreshadowing of potion given to Juliet later by Friar 4. calm philosophic speech (peace, hope) by Friar is in contrast to turbulence and passion of others in this play Scene 4: 1. marriage plans are complete 2. Mercutio and Nurse are deveoped in more depth 3. humor in this scene lightens -- contrast to tragic events awaiting 4. emphasis on dueling prepares us for an important duel (Mercutio's) later one Scene 5: 1. suspense for Juliet 2. reveals new aspects of Nurse personality, Juliet 3. contrasts: comic relief lightens the forthcoming blackness. Scene 6: 1. Marriage 2. Climax is overshadowed by omens of catastrophe. What Dramatic purposes are served by actions in Act Three? Scene 1: 1. it contains the crisis or turning point 2. two street fights -- unites the antagonistic elements of rival houses in a common judgment 3. rapid events hold the audience in suspense 4. Romeo's love story gets more complicated - audience is sympathtic (pity) Scene 2: 1. shows Juliet receives the bad news 2. Nurse's retelling of bad news adds element of suspense and grim humor 3. Juliet's warmth and humanity is shown 4. only meeting of Romeo and Juliet after their marriage is arranged here Scene 3: 1. R&J consumate marriage 2. Romeo goes 20 miles to Mantua fo banishment 3. two conceptions of banishment offered -- for comparison 4. Friar diagnoses and give sprognosis of Romeo's condition (we know the story) Scene 4: 1. slower pace 2. arranged marriage - v - marriage for love (Paris&J - v -R&J) 3. Thursday is set for the arranged marriage Scene 5: 1. J's life gets complicated 2. weak and selfish character revealed in Lord and Lady Capulet 3. J's use of dramatic irony heightens audience interest 4. audience prepared for further plans in next act What dramatic purposes are served in Act Four? Scene 1: 1. Friar's remedy introduced 2. uniqueness of plan revealed 3. foreshadows tomb tragedy Scene 2: 1. announces change in arranged marriage from Thursday to Wednesday 2. J's changed attitude toward marriage shown Scene 3: 1. J drinks vial 2. stresses ghastly horror of tomb - soon to be redone 3. contrasts with the confusion of previous scenes. Scene 4: 1. occupies time and provides comic relief Scene 5: 1. prepares for J's entombment 2. transition scene What dramatic purposes are served in Act Five? Scene 1: 1. R's cheerful outlook contrasts loss of hope 2. illustrates the miscarriage of Friar's plan 3. shows effect of J's "death on R - prepares us for what's ahead Scene 2: 1. shows accident of fate interfered with successful execution of well-laid plans Scene 3: 1. denouement of the play (solution of the plot) 2. four deaths 3. all on stage for curtain calls (except Nurse) 4. terrifying, horrible tragic ending 5. contains the moral or postscript 6. Friar's resume sums up all events leading up to catastrophy 7. provides CATHARSIS (according to Aristotelian criteria for tragedy) Search: Tripod The Web
Definition: the sonnet is a 14 line lyric poem usually written in rhymed iambic pentameter. Sonnets usually express a single theme or idea. Lyric poem: a poem that expresses the person's feelings Iambic pentameter: a pattern of ten unstressed and stressed syllables in a line of peotry. Meter: a regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry. Foot: measures the meter in a line blank verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter. Two major types of sonnet: Petrarchan (or Italian) 14 lines - iambic pentameter one octave (group of 8 lines) followed by a sestet (groups of 6 lines) octave usually poses a problem or presents an idea Sestet usually solves the problem or develops the idea Rhyme scheme of octave is usually abba abba Rhyme scheme of sestet is cdcdcd or cdecde or cdccdc This rhyme scheme separates the octave from the sestet. The reader is aware that all the lines belong to one part or another of the poem. English (or Elizabethan or Shakesperean) 14 lines - iambic pentameter 3 Quatraines (groups of 4 lines) rhyming abab cdcd efef Concludes with a couplet (two rhyming lines: gg) Quatraines usually state the same basic idea in three different ways. Couplet resolves or sums up the idea presented in the quatrain. Sonnet 116 Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds. Or bends with the remover to remove. O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. "For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." to Seventh Grade Page to Eighth Grade Page to Home Page Notes for ROMEO AND JULIET What Dramatic Purposes are served in Act One? Scene 1: 1. the street fighting gets the attention of audience and reveals the extent and seriousness of feud. 2. leading characters introduced (except for Mercutio and Juliet) 3. Time and setting announced and the action, dress, talk and disposistions of characters are established. 4. conflict which is the theme of this tradgedy is revealed in the romance threatened by a family feud. 5. Benvolio's prophecy of his own death, and the taking place of this death so soon afterwards prepares the audience for further tragic developments for other characters. Scene 2: 1. announces Prince's decision concerning how to discipline Capulet and Montague 2. intro Paris as suitor for Juliet 3. shows Capulet as talkative matchmaker, anxious to please Prince by marrying Juliet to Paris (related to Prince) 4. possible solution for Romeo's lovesickness 5. difficulties of servants are comic relief for audience Scene 3: 1. Juliet is shown as unspoiled, innocent, charming, submissive, normal girl 2. reveals what Capulets' home situation is like 3. develops Lady Capulet, Nurse 4. Masquerade is to prepare audience for what follows in the tragedy Scene 4: 1. Suspense is sustained for audience concerning the outcome of the masque 2. audience reminded of Romeo's lovesick state. 3. Mercutio introduced. 4. Foreshadow tradegy to come -- Romeo's fears and feelings Scene 5: 1. Masquerade is a spectacle -- features party atmosphere (gaiety, music, dancing, beautiful dresses) a quarrel, a love scene, contrasts of mood, suspense builds, and complex characters 2. Romeo and Juliet meet in a harmonious manner -- sonnet interchange. 3. Foreshadows tragedy through the alienation, hostility of Tybalt 4. Characters of Capulet and Romeo develop. Juliet is gentle; Tybalt is unruly and barbaric. What Dramatic Purposes are served in ACT TWO? Scene 1: 1. Romeo's new love puts him in turmoil. His friends are unaware of this new turn of events -- those events are full of consequences. 2. Mercutio's personality is developed. 3. 2nd meeting of star crossed lovers. 4. this scene is a brief interlude before action speeds up Scene 2: 1. Juliet and Romeo are betrothed 2. Balcony scene illuminates their remance - moonlight, danger, vow-making and romantic behavior) 3. Prepare for Friar Laurence Scene 3: 1. Friar is an accomplished herbalist 2. arrangements for marriage are complete 3. foreshadowing of potion given to Juliet later by Friar 4. calm philosophic speech (peace, hope) by Friar is in contrast to turbulence and passion of others in this play Scene 4: 1. marriage plans are complete 2. Mercutio and Nurse are deveoped in more depth 3. humor in this scene lightens -- contrast to tragic events awaiting 4. emphasis on dueling prepares us for an important duel (Mercutio's) later one Scene 5: 1. suspense for Juliet 2. reveals new aspects of Nurse personality, Juliet 3. contrasts: comic relief lightens the forthcoming blackness. Scene 6: 1. Marriage 2. Climax is overshadowed by omens of catastrophe. What Dramatic purposes are served by actions in Act Three? Scene 1: 1. it contains the crisis or turning point 2. two street fights -- unites the antagonistic elements of rival houses in a common judgment 3. rapid events hold the audience in suspense 4. Romeo's love story gets more complicated - audience is sympathtic (pity) Scene 2: 1. shows Juliet receives the bad news 2. Nurse's retelling of bad news adds element of suspense and grim humor 3. Juliet's warmth and humanity is shown 4. only meeting of Romeo and Juliet after their marriage is arranged here Scene 3: 1. R&J consumate marriage 2. Romeo goes 20 miles to Mantua fo banishment 3. two conceptions of banishment offered -- for comparison 4. Friar diagnoses and give sprognosis of Romeo's condition (we know the story) Scene 4: 1. slower pace 2. arranged marriage - v - marriage for love (Paris&J - v -R&J) 3. Thursday is set for the arranged marriage Scene 5: 1. J's life gets complicated 2. weak and selfish character revealed in Lord and Lady Capulet 3. J's use of dramatic irony heightens audience interest 4. audience prepared for further plans in next act What dramatic purposes are served in Act Four? Scene 1: 1. Friar's remedy introduced 2. uniqueness of plan revealed 3. foreshadows tomb tragedy Scene 2: 1. announces change in arranged marriage from Thursday to Wednesday 2. J's changed attitude toward marriage shown Scene 3: 1. J drinks vial 2. stresses ghastly horror of tomb - soon to be redone 3. contrasts with the confusion of previous scenes. Scene 4: 1. occupies time and provides comic relief Scene 5: 1. prepares for J's entombment 2. transition scene What dramatic purposes are served in Act Five? Scene 1: 1. R's cheerful outlook contrasts loss of hope 2. illustrates the miscarriage of Friar's plan 3. shows effect of J's "death on R - prepares us for what's ahead Scene 2: 1. shows accident of fate interfered with successful execution of well-laid plans Scene 3: 1. denouement of the play (solution of the plot) 2. four deaths 3. all on stage for curtain calls (except Nurse) 4. terrifying, horrible tragic ending 5. contains the moral or postscript 6. Friar's resume sums up all events leading up to catastrophy 7. provides CATHARSIS (according to Aristotelian criteria for tragedy) Search: Tripod The Web
What Dramatic Purposes are served in Act One? Scene 1: 1. the street fighting gets the attention of audience and reveals the extent and seriousness of feud. 2. leading characters introduced (except for Mercutio and Juliet) 3. Time and setting announced and the action, dress, talk and disposistions of characters are established. 4. conflict which is the theme of this tradgedy is revealed in the romance threatened by a family feud. 5. Benvolio's prophecy of his own death, and the taking place of this death so soon afterwards prepares the audience for further tragic developments for other characters. Scene 2: 1. announces Prince's decision concerning how to discipline Capulet and Montague 2. intro Paris as suitor for Juliet 3. shows Capulet as talkative matchmaker, anxious to please Prince by marrying Juliet to Paris (related to Prince) 4. possible solution for Romeo's lovesickness 5. difficulties of servants are comic relief for audience Scene 3: 1. Juliet is shown as unspoiled, innocent, charming, submissive, normal girl 2. reveals what Capulets' home situation is like 3. develops Lady Capulet, Nurse 4. Masquerade is to prepare audience for what follows in the tragedy Scene 4: 1. Suspense is sustained for audience concerning the outcome of the masque 2. audience reminded of Romeo's lovesick state. 3. Mercutio introduced. 4. Foreshadow tradegy to come -- Romeo's fears and feelings Scene 5: 1. Masquerade is a spectacle -- features party atmosphere (gaiety, music, dancing, beautiful dresses) a quarrel, a love scene, contrasts of mood, suspense builds, and complex characters 2. Romeo and Juliet meet in a harmonious manner -- sonnet interchange. 3. Foreshadows tragedy through the alienation, hostility of Tybalt 4. Characters of Capulet and Romeo develop. Juliet is gentle; Tybalt is unruly and barbaric. What Dramatic Purposes are served in ACT TWO? Scene 1: 1. Romeo's new love puts him in turmoil. His friends are unaware of this new turn of events -- those events are full of consequences. 2. Mercutio's personality is developed. 3. 2nd meeting of star crossed lovers. 4. this scene is a brief interlude before action speeds up Scene 2: 1. Juliet and Romeo are betrothed 2. Balcony scene illuminates their remance - moonlight, danger, vow-making and romantic behavior) 3. Prepare for Friar Laurence Scene 3: 1. Friar is an accomplished herbalist 2. arrangements for marriage are complete 3. foreshadowing of potion given to Juliet later by Friar 4. calm philosophic speech (peace, hope) by Friar is in contrast to turbulence and passion of others in this play Scene 4: 1. marriage plans are complete 2. Mercutio and Nurse are deveoped in more depth 3. humor in this scene lightens -- contrast to tragic events awaiting 4. emphasis on dueling prepares us for an important duel (Mercutio's) later one Scene 5: 1. suspense for Juliet 2. reveals new aspects of Nurse personality, Juliet 3. contrasts: comic relief lightens the forthcoming blackness. Scene 6: 1. Marriage 2. Climax is overshadowed by omens of catastrophe. What Dramatic purposes are served by actions in Act Three? Scene 1: 1. it contains the crisis or turning point 2. two street fights -- unites the antagonistic elements of rival houses in a common judgment 3. rapid events hold the audience in suspense 4. Romeo's love story gets more complicated - audience is sympathtic (pity) Scene 2: 1. shows Juliet receives the bad news 2. Nurse's retelling of bad news adds element of suspense and grim humor 3. Juliet's warmth and humanity is shown 4. only meeting of Romeo and Juliet after their marriage is arranged here Scene 3: 1. R&J consumate marriage 2. Romeo goes 20 miles to Mantua fo banishment 3. two conceptions of banishment offered -- for comparison 4. Friar diagnoses and give sprognosis of Romeo's condition (we know the story) Scene 4: 1. slower pace 2. arranged marriage - v - marriage for love (Paris&J - v -R&J) 3. Thursday is set for the arranged marriage Scene 5: 1. J's life gets complicated 2. weak and selfish character revealed in Lord and Lady Capulet 3. J's use of dramatic irony heightens audience interest 4. audience prepared for further plans in next act What dramatic purposes are served in Act Four? Scene 1: 1. Friar's remedy introduced 2. uniqueness of plan revealed 3. foreshadows tomb tragedy Scene 2: 1. announces change in arranged marriage from Thursday to Wednesday 2. J's changed attitude toward marriage shown Scene 3: 1. J drinks vial 2. stresses ghastly horror of tomb - soon to be redone 3. contrasts with the confusion of previous scenes. Scene 4: 1. occupies time and provides comic relief Scene 5: 1. prepares for J's entombment 2. transition scene What dramatic purposes are served in Act Five? Scene 1: 1. R's cheerful outlook contrasts loss of hope 2. illustrates the miscarriage of Friar's plan 3. shows effect of J's "death on R - prepares us for what's ahead Scene 2: 1. shows accident of fate interfered with successful execution of well-laid plans Scene 3: 1. denouement of the play (solution of the plot) 2. four deaths 3. all on stage for curtain calls (except Nurse) 4. terrifying, horrible tragic ending 5. contains the moral or postscript 6. Friar's resume sums up all events leading up to catastrophy 7. provides CATHARSIS (according to Aristotelian criteria for tragedy)