Introduction to Shakespeare The Elizabethan Era Refers to the era during reign in Main religions were (supported by the Royalty, and. Elizabeth was kinder to Catholics than her predecessors had been. There was a great deal of during this period The rise of the British Empire gets its roots during Elizabeth s reign some point to the defeat of the in 1588 as the turning point Queen Elizabeth Ruled from until her death (44 years) She was known as the because she never married. Elizabeth was the daughter of and (his second wife). Shakespeare (1564-1616) Born in on April 23 rd, 1564 Married and had 2 daughters Moved to in 1592 1
Actor, playwright and owner of The Career Wrote 37 plays between and 1613 About 1.5 per year Directed and starred in the plays Wrote sonnets Had a partial share in his London theater, The Globe Type of Plays Shakespeare s plays can be categorized into three areas usually ended with a Different than you and I think of comedy, related closer to our romantic comedies A Midsummer Night s Dream,, The Tempest Tragedies Usually ended with the of the main character (or characters)., Macbeth, Othello Histories Mixture of history and historic fiction Features the heroes and villains of British History Henry V (hero), Richard III (villain) The Globe and Shakespeare s Theater Constructed in Large polygonal building, three stories Utilized a type stage backed by a small balcony Performances were conducted during the day, why? 2
Limited scenery used the stage was set by the of the play were often cast offs of the aristocracy and thus were elaborate All roles were performed by (no girls in theater) Almost no stage were left by the author and roles were hand written for each character, often times not being finished until well after the rehearsal period had begun New Words Solidified the English language did the same for Italian Luther and Goethe did the same for Used nouns as verbs Over 2000 new words critical, aggravate, assassination monumental, castigate, countless Obscene, forefathers, frugal, hurry Majestic, homicide, summit, reliance Coined Phrases Type of Language Shakespeare wrote in a period of English language known as Spoken until the mid to late 17 th century when it transitions to Modern English English Language History Early Modern English developed from its cousin Middle English ( The Canturbury Tales) 3
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour, ² English (Beowulf) wæs se grimma gaést Grendel háten this ghastly demon was named Grendel, maére mearcstapa sé þe móras héold infamous stalker in the marches, he who held the moors, Sonnet Form A sonnet has lines. A sonnet must be written in iambic pentameter A sonnet must follow a specific depending on the type of sonnet. A sonnet can be about any, though they are often about love or nature. A sonnet introduces a problem or question in the beginning, and a resolution is offered after the turn. Iambic Pentameter A line of Iambic Pentameter is a line with beats. An is two beats, or one foot. Penta is five (line has five feet ). Meter is the of the poem. A foot is made of an unstressed syllable and a stressed syllable (in that order). Da dit, da dit, da dit, da dit, da dit English Sonnet 4
An English Sonnet is also called a Sonnet. It includes three quatrains (groups of four lines) and a couplet (two lines). 14 lines total The rhyme scheme is often. The turn is either after eight lines or ten lines. Sonnet 18 label the rhyme scheme and note the accent and unaccented syllables in the first two lines Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature's changing course untrimm'd; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st; Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st: So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. Interpret and rewrite the sonnet below in modern language 5
Prologue to Romeo and Juliet identify the elements of an English sonnet present in the prologue to the play Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star- cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death- mark'd love, And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Introduction to R&J 6
Based on a long narrative poem by which was published in 1562 Based on an older folk story Depicts two young members of feuding families falling into an idealized, almost unreal, passionate love. Tragedy what do we know is going to happen to our protagonists? How it is written Shakespeare wrote in 3 different modes : refers to ordinary speech with no regular pattern of accentual rhythm used when verse does not make sense such as long letters, proclamations and a character expressing their madness Blank Verse: used most often and is meant to sound like the best possible version of the English language everyday speech heightened Rhymed Verse: (usually in couplets) songs, choral odes, plays within plays, soliloquy, great speeches A Cast of Characters look on page 734 and categorize each character into the correct column: Note special relationships and roles within the play Montague Other Capulet 7
Literary Terms to know antagonist the character or force that works against the protagonist; introduces the conflict aside words spoken by a character in a play, usually in an undertone and not intended blank verse unrhymed iambic pentameter climax the point of greatest emotional intensity, interest, or suspense in a narrative conflict a struggle (between two opposing forces or characters) couplet two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme diction a writer s choice of words for clarity, effectiveness, and precision dramatic irony a contrast between what the audience perceives and what a character does not know figurative language language that is not intended to be interpreted in a literal sense foil a character who sets off another character by contrast foreshadowing the use of hints or clues in a narrative to suggest what action is to come iambic meter unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable 8
iambic pentameter five verse feet with each foot an iamb (a total of ten syllables) imagery language that appeals to any sense (sight, hearing, taste, touch, or smell) or any combination of the senses irony literary technique that portrays differences between appearance and reality (dramatic irony; situational irony; verbal irony) metaphor comparison between two unlike things with the intent of giving added meaning to one of them protagonist the main character in a play or story pun the humorous use of a word or phrase to suggest to or more meanings at the same time monologue a long, uninterrupted speech presented in front of other characters oxymoron a figure of speech that combines apparently contradictory terms Examples: sweet sorrow ; loving hate personification a figure of speech in which an animal, object, natural force, or idea is given a personality and described as human simile a comparison made between two dissimilar things through the use of a specific word of comparison such as like and as situational irony a contrast between what is expected and what really happens soliloquy a speech in which a character is alone on stage and expresses thoughts out loud sonnet a fourteen- line lyric poem, usually written in iambic pentameter, that has one of several rhyme schemes. symbol any object, person, place, or action that has a meaning in itself and that also stands for something larger than itself such as a quality, attitude, belief, or value. suspense that quality of a literary work that makes the reader or audience uncertain or tense about the outcome of events theme the central idea of a work of literature verbal irony a contrast between what is said and what is meant 9
Study Guide ACT ONE - SCENE ONE 1, Between what two families does the feud exist? vs. 2. In lines 1 4, Sampson and Gregory are making a play on the word: explain what literary device they are employing 3. What is the setting of the play? 4. What do lines 62 through 73 reveal about Benvolio and Tybalt? 4. What decree does the Prince make after the street brawl? 5. What advice does Benvolio give Romeo about Rosaline? ACT ONE - SCENE TWO 1. How does Capulet respond to Paris' proposal to marry Juliet? 2. What coincidence is illustrated in lines 57 71? How would this story be different if this coincidence had not occurred? What might that say about Shakespeare s notion of fate? 3. How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about the Capulet's ball? What do they decide to do? ACT ONE - SCENE THREE 1. What do lines 16 49 reveal about the Nurse s character? 10
2. How does Juliet feel about getting married? 3. How old is Juliet? What is Lammastide? On what date does it come? ACT ONE - SCENE FOUR 1. When and where does this scene take place? 2. Draw a picture below of Queen Mab as described by Mercutio in lines 53 95 3. Explain Romeo ' s speech (lines 106-113). ACT ONE - SCENE FIVE 1. Where does this scene take place? 11
2. Who is Romeo talking about in lines 46-55? What does this reveal about Romeo? 3. Why does Tybalt become so upset, and how does Capulet respond to his rage (lines 68 71) 4. Who said the following lines and why? A) "is she a Capulet? 0 dear account, my life is my foe s debt." B) "My only love sprung from my only hate Too early seen unknown and known too late." 5. Find one example of each of the following literary devices used anywhere in Act One. 1. Pun 5. Hyperbole 2. Alliteration 6. Dramatic Irony 3. Metaphor 7. Comic Relief 4. Aside 8. Foreshadow ACT TWO - SCENE ONE: Explain the dramatic irony in this scene. 12
ACT TWO - SCENE TWO: (This is the most famous scene in the entire play.) 1. Fill in the blanks in this paraphrase of Romeo's soliloquy (lines 1-32) Shh! What is at the? shines through the window like the rises in the. Arise, beautiful sun (Juliet) and replace the who is jealous because you, her maid (Diana - Virgin moon goddess) are than she. Don't be a since the moon is of you. Her innocence is sickly, and only a would keep it. Oh! It's Juliet! I wish she knew that I her. She speaks. but says. How strange. She speaks with her eyes. I'll her. No, I'd better not since she isn't. Two of the in heaven have asked her to twinkle for them while they take care of some. If her eyes were there, her would make the stars seem dull just as outshines a lamp. Her eyes would shine so that the would think it were and begin to. O' I wish that I could touch her. She speaks. 0 speak again bright, for you are as glorious to this, being over my (up at the window) as is an angel of is to who look up and see him when he walks on the and sails on the. 2. Explain Juliet's soliloquy (lines 33-44) 3. What complications so far threaten the Romeo and Juliet s happiness? 4. Explain lines 109 112 What does Juliet say Romeo must swear by in stead of the moon and why? 5. What does Juliet ask of Romeo in lines 142 148 6. What time do they plan to meet the next day? 7. Reflection: what do you think of Romeo and Juliet s circumstances at the end of this scene? 13
ACT TWO - SCENE THREE 1. This scene opens with Friar Laurence collecting herbs. He is discussing the properties of the herbs and the purposes for which they may be used. Explain forshadowing in his speech (lines 1 23) 2. Why does Romeo go to see Friar Laurence? 3. How does Friar Laurence respond to Romeo's request? (lines 65 78) 4. Why does Friar Laurence consent to Romeo's request? ACT TWO - SCENE FOUR This scene serves as a contrast to the preceding scene in Friar Laurence's cell. Mercutio and Benvolio are in a merry mood as they walk along talking and laughing about Romeo whom they think is still pining away over Rosaline. Benvolio mentions that Tybalt has sent a challenge to Romeo. Mercutio then gives a long description of Tybalt's eagerness to fight. Romeo comes along in a good mood after his talk with Friar Laurence. They engage in a series of puns matching their wits against each other. Along comes Juliet's nurse and Peter (her servant). 1. For whom is the nurse looking and why? 2. What warning does she give Romeo? (Lines 104 173) 3. What instructions does Romeo give to the Nurse? (Lines 182 195) ACT TWO - SCENE FIVE 1. What does Juliet s speech in lines 1 17 reveal about the theme of youth and age? 14
2. Juliet is waiting very impatiently for the nurse's return. Why does she become so irritated when the nurse does return? 3. What does the Nurse reveal to Juliet in lines 68 77. ACT TWO - SCENE SIX Romeo and Juliet are married in Friar Laurence's cell. How does this scene foreshadow future events? General - Find one example in Act Two of each of the following literary devices: 1. Pun 5. Hyperbole 2. Alliteration 6. Dramatic Irony 3. Metaphor 7. Comic Relief 4. Aside 8. Foreshadow Reflection: What features of the first 2 acts of this play resemble those of a Shakespearean comedy? 15
ACT THREE - SCENE ONE (This scene marks the climax of the drama.) 1. Tybalt, still enraged at Romeo's intrusion at the Capulet's ball, is determined to fight, but Romeo refuses. Why? (lines 69 73) 2. What does Romeo try to remind them of in lines 86 91 3. Explain what you think Mercutio means by saying a plague on both your houses after he is stabbed? 4. Paraphrase Romeo s lines 111 117 and 124 131 5. How does Benvolio characterize the conflict and its results? (lines 154 177) 6. What does the Prince decree as punishment for Romeo and why? 7. Explain how this scene serves as the climax or turning point of the drama. (Think of all that has happened between Romeo and Juliet so far.) ACT THREE - SCENE TWO 1. Explain the extended metaphor in Juliet s speech (lines 17 25) What are some other examples of how light has been used as a metaphor? 2. Explain the dramatic irony in the beginning of this scene. 3. How does Juliet react to the nurse's news? 4. What does Juliet plan to do with the cords? (See lines 132-137) 16
5. How does the nurse console her? ACT THREE - SCENE THREE 1. How does Romeo react to the news of his banishment? To what does he compare being banished to and why? (lines 17 24 and 29-51) 2. What does Friar Lawrence tell Romeo in the beginning of his speech? What comment might you make on the status of women during Shakespeare s time based on this information? (lines 108-117). 3. What three reasons does the Friar give to Romeo for his happiness? (135 145) 4. What doe the Friar tell Romeo to do as part of his plan to help him? (146 148) ACT THREE - SCENE FOUR 1. How does the action in this scene complicate matters even further? 2. How does Capulet's attitude now differ from his attitude when Paris first came to ask for Juliet's hand in marriage? 3. When do Capulet and Paris plan to have Juliet married? 4. Explain the dramatic irony in this scene. ACT THREE - SCENE FIVE 17
Day breaks, and the two lovers must part after consummating their wedding vows. Juliet is very reluctant to have Romeo leave her and does not want to admit that it is morning. Finally Romeo leaves and Juliet's mother comes to her chamber. Their conversation about Tybalt's death has Juliet speaking in ambiguous terms. 1. Explain how light plays a role in the opening lines of the act between Romeo and Juliet. 2. Explain foreshadowing in lines 54 57 3. Explain the paradoxical phrases in lines 94-103. 4. How does Capulet react to Juliet's refusal to marry Paris? (lines 150 158 and 161 169) 5. What does Capulet threaten Juliet with if she does not marry as ordered? (lines 177 197) 6. What advise does the nurse give Juliet? (Lines 215 226) 7. What does Juliet decide to do? What does she tell the Nurse she is going to do? 8. Find one example in act three of each of the following literary devices: 1. Pun 5. Hyperbole 2. Alliteration 6. Dramatic Irony 3. Metaphor 7. Comic Relief 4. Aside 8. Foreshadow 18
ACT FOUR - SCENE ONE Juliet is no longer the obedient child. The events of the past few days have caused her to mature. With no hope of help from her mother or the nurse she is now taking matters into her own hands. She gives the excuse that since she has displeased her father, she is going to Friar Laurence to confess her sin and be absolved. (Notice how she deals with Paris at the opening of this scene.) Once Paris is gone Juliet pleads with Friar Laurence to help her out of her predicament. Explain in detail the plan they arrange (lines 89 120) ACT FOUR - SCENE TWO 1. What day is it now? 2. Juliet is so convincing in her deception that her father decides to move the wedding day up from Thursday to Wednesday (lines 23 24). What complication does this change foreshadow? ACT FOUR - SCENE THREE 1. List Juliet's fears as she is about to drink the potion.(lines 21 58) A. B. C. D. E. ACT FOUR - SCENE FOUR The Capulets are busy preparing for Juliet's wedding. Who is told to wake Juliet? 19
ACT FOUR - SCENE FIVE In what state does the Nurse find Juliet? Explain the dramatic irony in Friar Laurence's speech (lines 65-83) What images does Capulet bring up in lines 84 90 and what mood is established in doing so? ACT FIVE - SCENE ONE 1. How does Romeo's dream, which he describes in his opening speech, compare with the news brought to him by Balthasar? Explain irony and foreshadowing in this speech (lines 1-16) 2. Draw a picture of the apothecary s shop based on the description in lines 37-52 2. How does Romeo convince the apothecary to sell him poison? 20
3. What does he plan to do with the poison? ACT FIVE - SCENE TWO 1. Why was Friar John not able to get Friar Lawrence s letter to Romeo? 2. What does Friar Laurence now plan to do? ACT FIVE - SCENE THREE 1. Why does Paris come to Juliet's burial place? 2. Explain the metaphor in lines 45 48 3. What happens when Romeo and Paris meet? 3. How does the line Ah, dear Juliet. / Why art thou yet so fair? (101 102) contribute to the tragedy of the play 4. Explain the use of personification in lines 103 105 5. How long has Romeo been in the tomb by the time Friar Lawrence shows up? Does this length of time contribute to the tragedy of the play? 6. Paraphrase the Friar s speech to the Prince below: 21
5. What effect does the resolution have on the two families? 6. What is/are Romeo and Juliet's tragic flaw(s)? How does it/they lead to their destruction? Timeline The entire course of action in this drama took place within five days. Starting with the first street brawl which occurred early Sunday morning, trace the day by day events of the drama. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 22
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