William Shakespeare & Romeo and Juliet. The Globe Theatre Built in 1594, The Globe broke away from the traditional rectangular shape of English theaters.

William Shakespeare &

Romeo and Juliet

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre Built in 1594,

The Globe broke away from the traditional rectangular shape of English theaters.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre Located on the banks of the River Thames, the

Globe was a three story wooden building that held up to 3,000 theatergoers.

In the center was an open-air courtyard with a platform stage.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

Those paying the lowest admission were known as “groundlings,” who stood in the pit.

Wealthier theatergoers sat in the buildings interior balconies.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre Performances were advertised by means of

playbills, and took place during the hours of daylight when the weather was suitable.

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s WorksWorks

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, which are categorized in one of three classifications.

154 Sonnets6 Long PoemsShakespeare wrote most of

his work in blank verse, unrhymed lines consisting of 10 syllables (aka Iambic Pentameter).

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s WorksWorks

•Tragedy: A play that traces the main character’s downfall

•Comedy: A play that ends happily and that usually contains many humorous elements

•History: A play that chronicles the life of an English monarch

Romeo and JulietTakes place in

Italy during the 1300’s.

There is a feud between 2 wealthy families – the Montagues and the Capulets.

It has raged for many years.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet“A pair of star-crossed lovers”Romeo was a Montague and Juliet was a CapuletForbidden love…

Romeo and Juliet – The Romeo and Juliet – The PlayPlayMONTAGUES

Lord Montague Lady Montague Romeo Benvolio Balthasar Abram

CAPULETS Lord Capulet Lady Capulet Juliet Tybalt Nurse Sampson Gregory

Romeo and Juliet

Other CharactersPrince Escalus, ruler of VeronaMercutio, Romeo’s Friend/Prince’s

RelativeFriar Laurence, a Fransician PriestFriar John, another PriestCount Paris, young nobleman and

kinsman of the Prince

WHAT IS A DRAMA??

DRAMA -- a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Dramatic Conventions

Aside – lines specifically meant to be heard by the audience and/or select characters onstage. Think of a pause in the action on stage.

Dramatic Conventions

Monologue – a speech given by one character. Other characters may be on stage, but only the one character speaks. “Mono” means “one.”

Dramatic Conventions

Soliloquy – a speech given by one character, usually revealing a character’s innermost thoughts. The character is alone on the stage.

Dramatic Conventions

Foil – the existence of two characters whose personalities and/or traits serve to contrast the characteristics of the other.

Example: Benvolio (peaceful) and Tybalt (fiery and angry)

Dramatic Conventions

Dramatic Irony – the audience has knowledge that the characters on stage do not have or are not aware of yet.

Example: The audience knows that Juliet isn’t really dead when Romeo believes that she is.