Romeo and juliet

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

The Renaissance in Europe ➛ an awakening from the slumber of the Dark Ages ➛ promise of material and spiritual gain ➛ belief that humanity was making progress

Context

14th through the 16th centuries ➛ break with feudal modes of living

➛ urban centers ➛ aristocracy x lower classes

The Invention of the Printing Press ➛ Johannes Gutenberg(around 1440) ➛ Protestant Reformation

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietHumanism

➛ mankind was believed capable of earthly perfection➛ rise of nationalism and democracy ➛ birth of the middle class ➛ trade and commerce

Boundaries expanded ➛ Fashions in Venice soon

became the fashions in Paris and eventually

London.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

The Arts & Literature➛ Italian Renaissance ➛ the literary output of Renaissance England (1500-1660) ➛ John Milton composed his epic Paradise Lost

Drama William Shakespeare➛ variety, profundity, and exquisite use of language➛ shift between comedy and tragedy

English court life ➛ profound influence on he

arts ➛ poetry and drama

Mid 17th century ➛ the quest for human perfection had given way to

decadence, cynicism, and introversion

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Love• The most archetypal love story in the English

language: young, irrational, passionate love. Their youthful lust is one of many reasons why their relationship grows so intense so quickly.

• Shakespeare respects the power of such a youthful, passionate love but also laments the transience of it.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Major Themes

Death• In Romeo and Juliet, death is everywhere.

• The journey of the play is the cycle from love to death - and that is what makes Romeo and Julie so

lasting and powerful.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietAge• Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare

establishes the ideological division that often separates youths from adults.

• Shakespeare suggests that the cynicism that comes with age is one of the many reasons that leads humans to disagreement.

Identity• Romeo and Juliet suggests that individuals are often

forced to adopt an identity from outside. • A strong sense of identity can certainly be helpful in life, but in the play, it only forces separation between

the characters.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietGender• Romeo arguably displays feminine characteristics,

at least as defined by his peers.• Juliet makes quick decisions and is not easily

discouraged by bad news.• Shakespeare’s Juliet was actually threatening the

patriarchal society.

Revenge• Romeo and Juliet suggests that the desire for

revenge is both a natural and a devastating human quality.

• Though Shakespeare rarely, if ever, moralizes, Romeo and Juliet certainly presents revenge as a

senseless action that always causes more harm than good.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

1. Compare and contrast the characters of Romeo and Juliet. How do they develop throughout the play? What

makes them fall in love with one another?

2. Several characters criticize Romeo for falling in love too quickly. Do you believe this is true? Does his

tendency towards infatuation give the audience any reason to question Romeo's affection for Juliet?

Discussion

3. How does Shakespeare use symbols of gold and silver throughout the play? What does each element

represent?

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two young lovers who fall deeply in love and do everything they can to be together. If we were to compare and contrast

the actions of this couple with those of typical teenagers we see today, what similarities and

differences would we find? What can we learn from Shakespeare’s tale?

• How do the different cultures affect dating norms?

• How does age play a role in decision-making?• How much parental involvement is expected in a

dating relationship? • What is acceptable behavior if parents and

children do not see eye to eye?