The Most Excellent and The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Lamentable Tragedy of

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

ByBy

WilliamWilliam

ShakespeareShakespeare

William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareApril 23, 1564-April 23, 1616April 23, 1564-April 23, 1616

About ShakespeareAbout Shakespeare

Considered to be the greatest Considered to be the greatest dramatist of all timedramatist of all time

Wrote 37 plays (comedies, tragedies, Wrote 37 plays (comedies, tragedies, histories)histories)

Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poem)Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poem)Wrote 2 narrativesWrote 2 narratives

FamilyFamily

Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (80 Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (80 miles outside of London)miles outside of London)

Raised in a middle class familyRaised in a middle class familyParents:Parents:

John–glovemaker, very active in politicsJohn–glovemaker, very active in politicsMary Arden–daughter of wealthy Mary Arden–daughter of wealthy

landownerlandowner

EducationEducation

Attended Stratford Grammar School Attended Stratford Grammar School until he was 12 years olduntil he was 12 years old

School lasted 9 hours a day all yearSchool lasted 9 hours a day all yearStudents mainly studied LatinStudents mainly studied LatinBecame interested in theater early in Became interested in theater early in

lifelife

Shakespeare’s HomeShakespeare’s Home

Adult LifeAdult Life

Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 when he was 18 and she was 26when he was 18 and she was 26

Family moved to London and he Family moved to London and he joined a theater company as a minor joined a theater company as a minor actor & editoractor & editor

Had three children: Susanna and Had three children: Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was 11 years old.died when he was 11 years old.

CareerCareer

Was well-known in theatrical circles Was well-known in theatrical circles as an actor & playwright by the time as an actor & playwright by the time he was 28he was 28

Became member & stockholder of Became member & stockholder of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting company)company)

Lord Chamberlain’s Men was the Lord Chamberlain’s Men was the most popular company of actors in most popular company of actors in EnglandEngland

More CareerMore Career

Plague strikes London in 1592 and Plague strikes London in 1592 and theaters closed due to 1000’s of deathstheaters closed due to 1000’s of deaths

Shakespeare was wealthy landowner and Shakespeare was wealthy landowner and established playwright by 1590’sestablished playwright by 1590’s

Bought the Globe Theatre in 1599Bought the Globe Theatre in 1599Retired in 1610Retired in 1610Died from a fever on his birthday in 1616Died from a fever on his birthday in 1616Buried in Holy Trinity Church in StratfordBuried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

““All the World’s a Stage and Men All the World’s a Stage and Men and Women Merely Players”and Women Merely Players”

Shakespearean TheatersShakespearean TheatersLondon, 16London, 16thth Century Century

Lots of rivalry amongst theatersLots of rivalry amongst theatersExtremely popularExtremely popularNo roof, no curtains, no stage No roof, no curtains, no stage

settingssettingsDaylight shows onlyDaylight shows onlyNo sceneryNo sceneryNo lightingNo lightingAtmosphere was created by words & Atmosphere was created by words &

actionsactions

Shakespeare’s popularity was at Shakespeare’s popularity was at it’s height during Queen it’s height during Queen

Elizabeth’s reignElizabeth’s reign

More About TheatersMore About Theaters

First public theater (The Theatre) First public theater (The Theatre) opened in 1576 (owned by James opened in 1576 (owned by James Burbage)Burbage)

No females allowed to actNo females allowed to actYoung boys played the female parts Young boys played the female parts

(boys your age!!)(boys your age!!)Actors often had more than one roleActors often had more than one role

Theaters Again!Theaters Again!

Plays were always packedPlays were always packedAll types of people attended—rich, All types of people attended—rich,

poor, literate, illiterate, royalty, poor, literate, illiterate, royalty, peasants)peasants)

Audience ate & drank throughout Audience ate & drank throughout performance (fruit, nuts, beer)performance (fruit, nuts, beer)

If the audience didn’t like the play they If the audience didn’t like the play they would throw their food at actorswould throw their food at actors

Audiences loved excitement and actionAudiences loved excitement and action—especially bloody fight scenes—especially bloody fight scenes

““Groundlings” paid one cent to Groundlings” paid one cent to stand in front of the main stagestand in front of the main stage

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

Authorized & completed version Authorized & completed version printed in 1599printed in 1599

ProtagonistsProtagonistsRomeoRomeoJulietJuliet

AntagonistsAntagonistsMontagues vs. CapuletsMontagues vs. Capulets

““A pair of A pair of star-cross’d star-cross’d lovers take lovers take their life”their life”

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

SettingSettingRenaissance (rebirth)Renaissance (rebirth)1414thth or 15 or 15thth century centuryVerona & Mantua (cities in Northern Italy)Verona & Mantua (cities in Northern Italy)

ThemesThemesThe force of loveThe force of loveLove as a cause for violenceLove as a cause for violenceIndividual vs. SocietyIndividual vs. SocietyInevitability of fateInevitability of fate

SourceSource

Hadd, Cathi. English teacher. Brewer Hadd, Cathi. English teacher. Brewer Middle School, 2007.Middle School, 2007.