William William ShakespeareShakespeare

Biographical and Historical Biographical and Historical InformationInformation

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

True love.  Burning jealousy.  True love.  Burning jealousy.  Betrayal.  Murder most foul.  Sounds Betrayal.  Murder most foul.  Sounds like the evening news, right?  But like the evening news, right?  But these experiences are nothing new.  these experiences are nothing new. 

Human nature remains the same Human nature remains the same throughout time - since before people throughout time - since before people could even write about it.  All these could even write about it.  All these emotions were recorded by one of the emotions were recorded by one of the best authors to write in the English best authors to write in the English language: William Shakespeare. language: William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare is a poet of great depth Shakespeare is a poet of great depth and beauty.  His  work has survived and beauty.  His  work has survived the test of time -  it is still popular the test of time -  it is still popular almost four hundred years after his almost four hundred years after his death.  death. 

For some people, however, For some people, however, Shakespeare is a chore to read.  They Shakespeare is a chore to read.  They have difficulty understanding the Old have difficulty understanding the Old English style that was used in his English style that was used in his time, or they don't think his work is time, or they don't think his work is relevant to today - some even think relevant to today - some even think Shakespeare's plays are boring!  They Shakespeare's plays are boring!  They are truly missing out. are truly missing out.

Historical ContextHistorical Context Living during a period Living during a period

of artistic energy, the of artistic energy, the Black Death, a strong Black Death, a strong monarch's reign, and monarch's reign, and the rise and fall of his the rise and fall of his theatre, William theatre, William Shakespeare not only Shakespeare not only contributed contributed substantially to the substantially to the literary canon, but literary canon, but also contributed to-also contributed to-and was impacted by-and was impacted by-the economic, social, the economic, social, and artistic and artistic conditions of the conditions of the Elizabethan era.Elizabethan era.

About ShakespeareAbout Shakespeare William Shakespeare was born on William Shakespeare was born on

April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died on April 23, 1616. Avon and died on April 23, 1616.

In November 1582 Shakespeare In November 1582 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. When married Anne Hathaway. When they married, he was 18 and she they married, he was 18 and she was 26. They had 3 children. was 26. They had 3 children.

The portrait believed to look most The portrait believed to look most like Shakespeare is on the title like Shakespeare is on the title page of the page of the First FolioFirst Folio, right. , right. The First Folio was published in The First Folio was published in 1623, 7 years after 1623, 7 years after Shakespeare's death. Shakespeare's death.

Shakespeare not only wrote Shakespeare not only wrote plays; he also performed on stage plays; he also performed on stage as a professional actor in London. as a professional actor in London.

Shakespeare is buried in Holy Shakespeare is buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. The Trinity Church in Stratford. The inscription on the stone beneath inscription on the stone beneath his monument reads: his monument reads:

Shakespeare’s LondonShakespeare’s London

Queen Queen ElizabethElizabeth Elizabeth I was one of the Elizabeth I was one of the

most popular and long-most popular and long-reigning monarchs in reigning monarchs in English history—her curly English history—her curly red hair and shrewd red hair and shrewd political mind are well-political mind are well-known to us through known to us through books, movies, and books, movies, and legends. legends.

Taking its name from this Taking its name from this sovereign figure, sovereign figure, Elizabethan England was a Elizabethan England was a time of great literary and time of great literary and artistic flowering, royal artistic flowering, royal turmoil, and general turmoil, and general domestic complacency. domestic complacency.

Queen Queen Elizabeth Fun Elizabeth Fun

FactsFacts Queen Elizabeth I was born September 7, Queen Elizabeth I was born September 7,

1533 in Greenwich. She died March 24, 1533 in Greenwich. She died March 24, 1603 in Richmond, Surrey. 1603 in Richmond, Surrey.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry King Henry VIII and Anne BoleynVIII and Anne Boleyn. Henry had Anne . Henry had Anne beheaded in 1536. One of the reasons why beheaded in 1536. One of the reasons why he had her killed was because she did not he had her killed was because she did not give birth to a son. Henry wanted a son to give birth to a son. Henry wanted a son to replace him as king after his death. replace him as king after his death.

Elizabeth became Queen on November 17, Elizabeth became Queen on November 17, 1558, the day Queen Mary died. She was 1558, the day Queen Mary died. She was crowned two months later on January 15, crowned two months later on January 15, 1559 in a 1559 in a coronation coronation ceremony. ceremony.

The Queen spoke Greek, French, Italian, The Queen spoke Greek, French, Italian, Latin, and, of course, English. Latin, and, of course, English.

During her reign, England defeated the During her reign, England defeated the Spanish ArmadaSpanish Armada. Because the Spanish . Because the Spanish navy was thought to be better than the navy was thought to be better than the British navy, this victory raised the status British navy, this victory raised the status of England in Europe. of England in Europe.

Queen Elizabeth never married. She is Queen Elizabeth never married. She is sometimes called "The Virgin Queen." sometimes called "The Virgin Queen."

Queen Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth ContinuedContinued

Elizabeth received a formal Elizabeth received a formal education. This was very unusual for education. This was very unusual for her time; girls often did not go to her time; girls often did not go to school. Elizabeth studied such school. Elizabeth studied such subjects as mathematics, history, subjects as mathematics, history, geography, and astronomy. geography, and astronomy.

As a princess, Elizabeth gave her As a princess, Elizabeth gave her family gifts of prayers and poems she family gifts of prayers and poems she had translated herself, written out in had translated herself, written out in her own hand, and decorated with her own hand, and decorated with embroidered covers. She was only 11 embroidered covers. She was only 11 years old when she translated a years old when she translated a poem from French into English.poem from French into English.

In 1554, when her sister Mary was In 1554, when her sister Mary was Queen, Elizabeth was sent to the Queen, Elizabeth was sent to the Tower of London Tower of London as a prisoner. as a prisoner. Mary believed that Elizabeth Mary believed that Elizabeth supported plots to remove her from supported plots to remove her from power. power.

Elizabeth learned to play several Elizabeth learned to play several musical instruments. She also loved musical instruments. She also loved to dance, ride horses, and hunt. to dance, ride horses, and hunt.

Elizabethan EnglandElizabethan EnglandEntertainment and RecreationEntertainment and Recreation

Drama enjoyed its high points during the Drama enjoyed its high points during the Elizabethan era as the first public Elizabethan era as the first public theaters were built in England and plays theaters were built in England and plays became a popular form of entertainment became a popular form of entertainment for all classes of people. for all classes of people.

Dance was also a frequent recreation, Dance was also a frequent recreation, along with music and song. along with music and song.

In addition to the arts, the Elizabethan In addition to the arts, the Elizabethan people engaged in sports. Some of the people engaged in sports. Some of the most popular sports are ones that are most popular sports are ones that are still enjoyed today: football, swimming, still enjoyed today: football, swimming, fishing, bowling, wrestling, and tennis. fishing, bowling, wrestling, and tennis.

Also, the inhabitants of a town would Also, the inhabitants of a town would gather together on holidays for huge gather together on holidays for huge parties and festivals, particularly on parties and festivals, particularly on dates such as All Hallow's Eve and the dates such as All Hallow's Eve and the Twelfth Night of Christmas. Twelfth Night of Christmas.

One rather morbid pastime of One rather morbid pastime of Elizabethan England was watching the Elizabethan England was watching the public punishments of criminals in the public punishments of criminals in the town. In addition to the most brutal of town. In addition to the most brutal of reparations, permanent fixtures in any reparations, permanent fixtures in any town were the stocks and pillory, where town were the stocks and pillory, where felons would be locked into place for the felons would be locked into place for the constant jeers and torment of the constant jeers and torment of the townspeople.townspeople.

Elizabethan Elizabethan TheaterTheater In Shakespeare's time, In Shakespeare's time,

plays were most often plays were most often performed in outdoor performed in outdoor theatres. Performances theatres. Performances took place during the day took place during the day so that the stage would be so that the stage would be illuminated by natural illuminated by natural light. light.

The people who stood The people who stood around the stage were around the stage were called called groundlingsgroundlings. They . They paid one penny (or paid one penny (or approximately $1.66 approximately $1.66 today) to enter the theatre. today) to enter the theatre. A seat in a balcony cost A seat in a balcony cost about a penny more.about a penny more.

Elizabethan EnglandElizabethan EnglandFood and MedicineFood and Medicine

During the Elizabethan period, table manners were During the Elizabethan period, table manners were very different than they are now. very different than they are now.

Even noblemen threw bones on the floor when they Even noblemen threw bones on the floor when they were finished, and forks were considered an oddity were finished, and forks were considered an oddity at any table. at any table.

Bread and meat were the two most important Bread and meat were the two most important staples of the English diet, and while they also staples of the English diet, and while they also drank a lot of wine and ate cheese, they ate very drank a lot of wine and ate cheese, they ate very few fruits and vegetables. few fruits and vegetables.

This poorly balanced diet was one cause of the This poorly balanced diet was one cause of the many illnesses that pervaded Elizabethan England. many illnesses that pervaded Elizabethan England.

Other sicknesses resulted from malnutrition and Other sicknesses resulted from malnutrition and improper cooking habits. improper cooking habits.

Also, smallpox and syphilis were common Also, smallpox and syphilis were common afflictions passed from person to person. afflictions passed from person to person.

But the major cause of death during Elizabethan But the major cause of death during Elizabethan England was the plague known as the Black Death, England was the plague known as the Black Death, which swept through England and Europe carried which swept through England and Europe carried by the rats living in the streets. People used herbal by the rats living in the streets. People used herbal remedies for many of such ailments, but remedies for many of such ailments, but unfortunately, only the very rich were able to unfortunately, only the very rich were able to afford doctors or even apothecaries.afford doctors or even apothecaries.

Elizabethan EnglandElizabethan EnglandFashions of the DayFashions of the Day

The fashions of both men and women were The fashions of both men and women were extravagant and complicated. extravagant and complicated.

Men and women alike were very hair-conscious; they spent Men and women alike were very hair-conscious; they spent a lot of time and money getting their hair dyed red or a lot of time and money getting their hair dyed red or blond (the most fashionable colors). blond (the most fashionable colors).

Men would trim and style their beards, and women wore Men would trim and style their beards, and women wore their hair in combs, nets, or jeweled pins. their hair in combs, nets, or jeweled pins.

At the time, a high forehead was considered very At the time, a high forehead was considered very attractive, so women would pluck the hair from their front attractive, so women would pluck the hair from their front hairlines. hairlines.

Both sexes wore wigs, especially when they lost their own Both sexes wore wigs, especially when they lost their own hair or if it turned gray.hair or if it turned gray.

In terms of clothing, women wore very long dresses that In terms of clothing, women wore very long dresses that dragged on the ground, and their bodices were very dragged on the ground, and their bodices were very tightly-laced and came to a point at the waist. tightly-laced and came to a point at the waist.

The sleeves were puffy around the shoulders and tight The sleeves were puffy around the shoulders and tight around the lower arms. around the lower arms.

Very large ruffles around the neck were popular with both Very large ruffles around the neck were popular with both men and women, and were considered a status symbol for men and women, and were considered a status symbol for the upper classes.the upper classes.

Men wore shorter breeches or pants with brightly colored Men wore shorter breeches or pants with brightly colored stockings underneath. stockings underneath.

Large, ornate jewels were worn by both sexes, and were Large, ornate jewels were worn by both sexes, and were often so heavy that it made dancing difficultoften so heavy that it made dancing difficult

Romeo and Romeo and JulietJuliet Written in the mid-1590s Written in the mid-1590s

and first published in 1597, and first published in 1597, Romeo and Juliet is Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's first non-Shakespeare's first non-historical tragedy, and it is historical tragedy, and it is in many ways the richest in many ways the richest and most mature of his and most mature of his early works. early works.

The writing bears many of The writing bears many of the characteristics of the characteristics of Shakespeare's early work, Shakespeare's early work, with frequent use of end-with frequent use of end-rhymes and an abundance rhymes and an abundance of descriptive, metaphoric of descriptive, metaphoric imagery. imagery.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet Shakespeare did not invent the story of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare did not invent the story of Romeo and Juliet. He did not, in fact, even introduce the story into the English He did not, in fact, even introduce the story into the English

language. language. The generally, and understandably, forgotten Arthur Brooks first The generally, and understandably, forgotten Arthur Brooks first

brought the story of Romeus and Juliet to an English-speaking brought the story of Romeus and Juliet to an English-speaking audience in a long and plodding poem that was itself not original, audience in a long and plodding poem that was itself not original, but rather an adaptation of adaptations that stretched across but rather an adaptation of adaptations that stretched across nearly a hundred years and two languages. nearly a hundred years and two languages.

Many of the details of Shakespeare's plot are lifted directly from Many of the details of Shakespeare's plot are lifted directly from Brooks's poem, including the meeting of Romeo and Juliet at the Brooks's poem, including the meeting of Romeo and Juliet at the ball, their secret marriage, Romeo's fight with ball, their secret marriage, Romeo's fight with TybaltTybalt, the , the sleeping potion, and the timing of the lover's eventual suicides. sleeping potion, and the timing of the lover's eventual suicides.

Such appropriation of other stories is characteristic of Such appropriation of other stories is characteristic of Shakespeare, who often wrote plays based on earlier works. Shakespeare, who often wrote plays based on earlier works. Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet is no exception. Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet is no exception.

The play distinguishes itself from its predecessors in several The play distinguishes itself from its predecessors in several important aspects: the subtlety and originality of its important aspects: the subtlety and originality of its characterization (Shakespeare almost wholly created characterization (Shakespeare almost wholly created MercutioMercutio); ); the intense pace of its action, which is compressed from nine the intense pace of its action, which is compressed from nine months into four frenetic days; a powerful enrichment of the months into four frenetic days; a powerful enrichment of the story's thematic aspects; and, above all, an extraordinary use of story's thematic aspects; and, above all, an extraordinary use of language. language.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Plot OverviewPlot Overview In the streets of Verona In the streets of Verona

another brawl breaks out another brawl breaks out between the servants of between the servants of the feuding noble families the feuding noble families of of CapuletCapulet and and MontagueMontague. .

BenvolioBenvolio, a Montague, tries , a Montague, tries to stop the fighting, but is to stop the fighting, but is himself embroiled when the himself embroiled when the rash Capulet, rash Capulet, TybaltTybalt, , arrives on the scene. arrives on the scene.

After citizens outraged by After citizens outraged by the constant violence beat the constant violence beat back the warring factions, back the warring factions, Prince EscalusPrince Escalus, the ruler of , the ruler of Verona, attempts to Verona, attempts to prevent any further prevent any further conflicts between the conflicts between the families by decreeing death families by decreeing death for any individual who for any individual who disturbs the peace in the disturbs the peace in the future. future.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Plot OverviewPlot Overview RomeoRomeo, the son of Montague, runs into , the son of Montague, runs into

his cousin Benvolio, who had earlier his cousin Benvolio, who had earlier seen Romeo moping in a grove of seen Romeo moping in a grove of sycamores. sycamores.

After some prodding by Benvolio, After some prodding by Benvolio, Romeo confides that he is in love with Romeo confides that he is in love with Rosaline, a woman who does not return Rosaline, a woman who does not return his affections. his affections.

Benvolio counsels him to forget this Benvolio counsels him to forget this woman and find another, more beautiful woman and find another, more beautiful one, but Romeo remains despondent.one, but Romeo remains despondent.

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, ParisParis, a kinsman of the , a kinsman of the prince, seeks prince, seeks JulietJuliet's hand in marriage. 's hand in marriage.

Her father Capulet, though happy at the Her father Capulet, though happy at the match, asks Paris to wait two years, match, asks Paris to wait two years, since Juliet is not yet even fourteen. since Juliet is not yet even fourteen.

Capulet dispatches a servant with a list Capulet dispatches a servant with a list of people to invite to a masquerade and of people to invite to a masquerade and feast he traditionally holds. He invites feast he traditionally holds. He invites Paris to the feast, hoping that Paris will Paris to the feast, hoping that Paris will begin to win Juliet's heart.begin to win Juliet's heart.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet ThemesThemes As in all of As in all of

Shakespeare's plays, Shakespeare's plays, Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is full is full of recurring motifs and of recurring motifs and images. images.

In addition to the more In addition to the more obvious themes of love, obvious themes of love, war, and death apparent war, and death apparent in the Bard's tragic tale, in the Bard's tragic tale, there are other concepts there are other concepts that Shakespeare refers that Shakespeare refers to again and again, all of to again and again, all of which work to enrich the which work to enrich the already engaging plot already engaging plot and characters. and characters.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet ThemesThemes Light and DarkLight and Dark

Throughout Throughout Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet, Shakespeare utilizes light or the , Shakespeare utilizes light or the absence of light as a motif that enhances and/or contributes to the absence of light as a motif that enhances and/or contributes to the mood of a particular scene. mood of a particular scene.

As we watch Romeo and Juliet fall in love, and we watch as more As we watch Romeo and Juliet fall in love, and we watch as more and more obstacles get in the way of their burgeoning love, and more obstacles get in the way of their burgeoning love, Shakespeare has alternately included light and dark images in the Shakespeare has alternately included light and dark images in the text of his play. When Romeo first encounters Juliet in the Capulet text of his play. When Romeo first encounters Juliet in the Capulet house, he exclaims "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!" house, he exclaims "O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!" and when he sees Juliet later in the famous balcony scene, the and when he sees Juliet later in the famous balcony scene, the smitten Romeo says, "But, soft! what light through yonder window smitten Romeo says, "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."

But this optimistic light fades when situations start to go awry. But this optimistic light fades when situations start to go awry. In Act III, scene 5, Romeo and Juliet have met secretly in the In Act III, scene 5, Romeo and Juliet have met secretly in the

Capulet orchard during the night. In this case, the light is not a Capulet orchard during the night. In this case, the light is not a friend to the young lovers, because as soon as day breaks, they friend to the young lovers, because as soon as day breaks, they must part. Indeed, when Juliet persuades Romeo to leave, she must part. Indeed, when Juliet persuades Romeo to leave, she states, "O, now be gone; more light and light it grows" and Romeo states, "O, now be gone; more light and light it grows" and Romeo replies, "More light and light; more dark and dark our woes!" At the replies, "More light and light; more dark and dark our woes!" At the end of Romeo and Juliet's lives, and the play itself, darkness has end of Romeo and Juliet's lives, and the play itself, darkness has completely taken over. The Prince exclaims, "A glooming peace completely taken over. The Prince exclaims, "A glooming peace this morning with it brings; / The sun, for sorrow, will not show his this morning with it brings; / The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head . . . For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet head . . . For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."and her Romeo."

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Themes Themes

ContinuedContinued TimeTime Also ubiquitous in Shakespeare's Also ubiquitous in Shakespeare's Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is the motif of is the motif of

time. In the very first scene after the Prologue, Romeo proclaims, time. In the very first scene after the Prologue, Romeo proclaims, "Ay me! sad hours seem long." In this early scene, Romeo mourns "Ay me! sad hours seem long." In this early scene, Romeo mourns his unrequited love of Rosaline, and the feeling is so intense that his unrequited love of Rosaline, and the feeling is so intense that time is affected. But these long hours do not last for much longer. time is affected. But these long hours do not last for much longer.

When the action picks up in the play—when Romeo and Juliet meet When the action picks up in the play—when Romeo and Juliet meet and soon realize their relationship cannot develop without a and soon realize their relationship cannot develop without a reconciliation between their families—the characters note that time reconciliation between their families—the characters note that time passes more quickly. The love of Romeo and Juliet has developed at passes more quickly. The love of Romeo and Juliet has developed at an accelerated pace: As Juliet says in Act II, scene 2, "It is too rash, an accelerated pace: As Juliet says in Act II, scene 2, "It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden; / Too like the lightning." As their love too unadvised, too sudden; / Too like the lightning." As their love has developed quickly, so does the approach of the day Juliet will be has developed quickly, so does the approach of the day Juliet will be married to Paris. Time has become an enemy of Romeo and Juliet's married to Paris. Time has become an enemy of Romeo and Juliet's love, as Old Capulet has decided to hasten the marriage of Juliet love, as Old Capulet has decided to hasten the marriage of Juliet and Paris in order to help her overcome what he believes is her grief and Paris in order to help her overcome what he believes is her grief for Tybalt's death. Paris tells the Friar: "Now, sir, her father counts it for Tybalt's death. Paris tells the Friar: "Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous / That she do give her sorrow so much sway, / And in his dangerous / That she do give her sorrow so much sway, / And in his wisdom hastes our marriage / To stop the inundation of her tears." wisdom hastes our marriage / To stop the inundation of her tears." The timing of the marriage is off, as was Tybalt's death. Time is The timing of the marriage is off, as was Tybalt's death. Time is passing at such a fast pace that it must also take the lives of young passing at such a fast pace that it must also take the lives of young Romeo and Juliet. In Act IV, scene 5, Old Capulet observes, "Death Romeo and Juliet. In Act IV, scene 5, Old Capulet observes, "Death lies on her like an untimely frost."lies on her like an untimely frost."

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Themes Themes

ContinuedContinued FateFate Another theme Shakespeare Another theme Shakespeare

incorporates in incorporates in Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is that is that of fate. of fate.

In his play, Shakespeare toys with the In his play, Shakespeare toys with the idea that fate or destiny is a idea that fate or destiny is a supernatural power predetermining the supernatural power predetermining the path of one's life. path of one's life.

As the Chorus states immediately in the As the Chorus states immediately in the Prologue of Prologue of Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet, "A pair of , "A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life." In star-cross'd lovers take their life." In other words, the young Romeo and Juliet other words, the young Romeo and Juliet are doomed from the very beginning: are doomed from the very beginning: their "stars" are misaligned. their "stars" are misaligned.

No matter what they do to attempt to No matter what they do to attempt to repair their tragic situation, something repair their tragic situation, something always inhibits them from prevailing: always inhibits them from prevailing: Although they fall in love, their families Although they fall in love, their families prevent this love; although they get prevent this love; although they get married, Tybalt is slain by Romeo, and married, Tybalt is slain by Romeo, and Juliet must marry Paris; although Juliet Juliet must marry Paris; although Juliet escapes marriage by pretending to die, escapes marriage by pretending to die, Romeo does not get the Friar's note and Romeo does not get the Friar's note and believes she is dead.believes she is dead.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Themes ContinuedThemes Continued Near the beginning of the play, in Near the beginning of the play, in Act I, scene 4, Romeo aptly Act I, scene 4, Romeo aptly predicts his own fate: predicts his own fate:

I fear, too early: for my mind misgivesI fear, too early: for my mind misgivesSome consequence yet hanging in the Some consequence yet hanging in the

starsstarsShall bitterly begin his fearful date Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night's revels and expire the With this night's revels and expire the

term term Of a despised life closed in my breastOf a despised life closed in my breastBy some vile forfeit of untimely death.By some vile forfeit of untimely death. Indeed, even though Romeo Indeed, even though Romeo

attempts to challenge fate, stating attempts to challenge fate, stating "I defy you, stars!" in Act V, scene "I defy you, stars!" in Act V, scene 1, later in the play (Act III, scene 1), 1, later in the play (Act III, scene 1), Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, and Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, and Romeo attributes his death to "this Romeo attributes his death to "this day's black fate." Shortly afterward day's black fate." Shortly afterward in the scene, when Romeo kills in the scene, when Romeo kills Tybalt, the exasperated Romeo Tybalt, the exasperated Romeo exclaims, "O, I am fortune's fool!"exclaims, "O, I am fortune's fool!"

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices Shakespeare's Romeo and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has an edge-of-the-Juliet has an edge-of-the-seat plot full of murder, seat plot full of murder, love, feuding, and betrayal. love, feuding, and betrayal.

Driving this tragic play Driving this tragic play forward is the fast-paced, forward is the fast-paced, witty, and convoluted witty, and convoluted dialogue of the script. dialogue of the script.

Effectively capturing the Effectively capturing the audience's attention, audience's attention, Shakespeare has used a Shakespeare has used a number of important number of important literary devices, which literary devices, which serve to amuse, guide, and serve to amuse, guide, and hypnotize the viewer of this hypnotize the viewer of this production.production.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary Devices Literary Devices PunsPuns

A pun is a joke based on the A pun is a joke based on the use of a word, or more than use of a word, or more than one word, that has more than one word, that has more than one meaning but the same one meaning but the same sound. Mercutio and Romeo sound. Mercutio and Romeo often exchange puns with one often exchange puns with one another in the play:another in the play:

Mercutio--"Nay, gentle Mercutio--"Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you Romeo, we must have you dance."dance."

Romeo--"Not I, believe me. Romeo--"Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / You have dancing shoes / With nimble soles; I have a With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead…"(I iv 13-5)soul of lead…"(I iv 13-5)

Romeo has used the word Romeo has used the word "sole" when referring to "sole" when referring to Mercutio's shoes, then made Mercutio's shoes, then made a pun by referring to his own a pun by referring to his own "soul.""soul."

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Foreshadowing describes when a Foreshadowing describes when a piece of dialogue or action in a piece of dialogue or action in a work refers to events that will work refers to events that will happen later in the story even happen later in the story even though the characters have no though the characters have no prior knowledge such events will prior knowledge such events will occur. In the following quote, occur. In the following quote, Benvolio is consoling Romeo on Benvolio is consoling Romeo on his loss regarding Rosaline:his loss regarding Rosaline:

Benvolio--"Take thou some new Benvolio--"Take thou some new infection to thy eye, / And the infection to thy eye, / And the rank poison of the old will die" (I rank poison of the old will die" (I ii 49-50)ii 49-50)

Here Benvolio unknowingly Here Benvolio unknowingly foreshadows the fact that as foreshadows the fact that as soon as Romeo sees Juliet, the soon as Romeo sees Juliet, the "new infection," the "rank "new infection," the "rank poison" of Rosaline dies and he poison" of Rosaline dies and he can think only of his new Capulet can think only of his new Capulet love.love.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices MetaphorMetaphor

A metaphor is a comparison A metaphor is a comparison in which an object or person is in which an object or person is directly likened to something directly likened to something else that could be completely else that could be completely unrelated. The most famous unrelated. The most famous metaphor in Romeo and Juliet metaphor in Romeo and Juliet is Romeo's monologue is Romeo's monologue outside the Capulet orchard:outside the Capulet orchard:

Romeo--"But, soft! what light Romeo--"But, soft! what light through yonder window through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." (II ii 2-3)Juliet is the sun." (II ii 2-3)

Here, Juliet is metaphorically Here, Juliet is metaphorically compared to the sun despite compared to the sun despite the fact that she has nothing the fact that she has nothing physically in common with a physically in common with a glowing star hundreds of glowing star hundreds of thousands of miles away.thousands of miles away.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices PersonificationPersonification

Personification occurs when an Personification occurs when an inanimate object or concept is inanimate object or concept is given the qualities of a person given the qualities of a person or animal. This is exemplified or animal. This is exemplified when Juliet is waiting for her when Juliet is waiting for her lover, Romeo, to come to her lover, Romeo, to come to her windowsill in the Capulet windowsill in the Capulet orchard. orchard.

Juliet--"For thou wilt lie upon the Juliet--"For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night / Whiter than wings of night / Whiter than new snow on a raven's back. / new snow on a raven's back. / Come, gentle night, come, Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night" (III ii loving, black-brow'd night" (III ii 18-20)18-20)

Obviously, the night does not Obviously, the night does not have wings, nor does it have a have wings, nor does it have a brow, but giving it these brow, but giving it these qualities adds a mystique to qualities adds a mystique to Juliet's monologue and a poetic Juliet's monologue and a poetic quality to the language.quality to the language.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices

OxymoronOxymoron An oxymoron describes when An oxymoron describes when

two juxtaposed words have two juxtaposed words have opposing or very diverse opposing or very diverse meanings. In the following meanings. In the following quotation, Juliet has just learned quotation, Juliet has just learned that Romeo murdered her that Romeo murdered her cousin, Tybalt, and she is venting cousin, Tybalt, and she is venting her feelings of anger at her lover her feelings of anger at her lover for hurting her family. for hurting her family.

Juliet--"Beautiful tyrant! fiend Juliet--"Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!" (III ii 77)angelical!" (III ii 77)

When Juliet refers to Romeo as a When Juliet refers to Romeo as a "beautiful tyrant," she is "beautiful tyrant," she is expressing an oxymoron expressing an oxymoron because the acts of a tyrant will because the acts of a tyrant will rarely be referred to as beautiful.rarely be referred to as beautiful.

Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet Literary DevicesLiterary Devices ParadoxParadox

A paradox is a statement or A paradox is a statement or situation with seemingly situation with seemingly contradictory or incompatible contradictory or incompatible components. On closer components. On closer examination, however, the examination, however, the combination of these combination of these components is indeed components is indeed appropriate. For example, see appropriate. For example, see how Juliet describes Romeo in how Juliet describes Romeo in the following quote:the following quote:

Juliet--"O serpent heart, hid with Juliet--"O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!" (III ii 75)a flowering face!" (III ii 75)

While Juliet knows that Romeo While Juliet knows that Romeo is not a serpent nor does he is not a serpent nor does he have a face full of flowers, her have a face full of flowers, her use of these descriptions show use of these descriptions show how paradoxically he is her how paradoxically he is her lover and the murderer of her lover and the murderer of her cousin at the same time.cousin at the same time.

Romeo and Romeo and Juliet Juliet

VocabularyVocabulary anon (until later) anon (until later) morrow (day) morrow (day) e'en (even/evening) e'en (even/evening) fare-thee-well (goodbye) fare-thee-well (goodbye) aye/yea (yes) aye/yea (yes) nay (no) nay (no) ne'r (never) ne'r (never) oft (often) oft (often) wherefore (why) wherefore (why) mayhap/perchance/belike (maybe) mayhap/perchance/belike (maybe) enow (enough) enow (enough) aroint (away) aroint (away) verily (very/truly) verily (very/truly) prithee/pray (please) prithee/pray (please) fie (a curse) fie (a curse) grammarcy (thank you) grammarcy (thank you)

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