Drama Study
Unit:
Romeo and Juliet
Baptized April 26, 1564 - died April 23, 1616, was an English poet and playwright. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, as well as one of the greatest in Western literature and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Shakespeare is believed to have produced most of his work between 1586 and 1616, although the exact dates and chronology of the plays attributed to him are often uncertain. He is counted among the very few playwrights who have excelled in both tragedy and comedy, and his plays combine popular appeal with complex characterization, poetic grandeur and philosophical depth.
Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language, and his plays are continually performed all around the world. In addition, quotations from his plays have passed into everyday usage in many languages. Over the years, many people have speculated about Shakespeare's life, raising questions about his sexuality, whether he was secretly Catholic, and debating whether someone else wrote some or all of his plays and poetry.
Early life
William Shakespeare (also spelled Shakspere, Shaksper, and Shake-speare, because spelling in Elizabethan times was not fixed and abso-lute[1]) was born in Henley Street, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, in April 1564, the son of John Shakespeare, a successful tradesman and alderman, and of Mary Arden, a daughter of the gentry. Shakespeare's baptismal record dates to April 26 of that year. Be-cause baptisms were performed within a few days of birth, tradition has settled on April 23 (May 4 on the Gregorian calendar) as his birth-day. This date provides a convenient symmetry because Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616.
Image of Shakespeare from the First Folio (1623), the first collected edition of his plays. As the son of a prominent town official, Shake-speare was entitled to attend King Edward VI Grammar School in central Stratford, which may have provided an intensive education in Latin grammar and literature. Also, mainstream scholars assume that Shakespeare was a student at the Stratford Free School, since he would have been entitled to attend it, and textbooks used at the Stratford Free School are alluded to in the plays. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 26, on November 28, 1582 at Temple Grafton, near Stratford. Two neighbours of Anne posted bond that there were no impediments to the marriage. There appears to have been some haste in arranging the ceremony, presumably due to the fact that Anne was three months pregnant. After his marriage, William Shakespeare left few traces in the historical record until he appeared on the London theatrical scene. Indeed, the late 1580s are known as Shakespeare's "Lost Years" because no evidence has survived to show exactly where he was or why he left Stratford for London. On May 26, 1583, Shakespeare's first child, Susannah, was baptized at Stratford. A son, Ham-net, and a daughter, Judith, were baptized on February 2, 1585.
Later years
Effigy of Shakespeare at his tomb. It was comissioned by his son-in-law and wife in 1623. It is believed to be one of the closest depictions of Shakespeare by people who knew him. Shakespeare's last two plays were written in 1613, after which he appears to have retired to Strat-ford. He died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52. He remained married to Anne until his death and was survived by his two daughters, Susannah and Judith. Susannah married Dr John Hall, but there are no direct descendants of the poet and playwright alive today.
Shakespeare is buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was granted the honour of burial in the chancel not on account of his fame as a playwright but for purchasing a share of the tithe of the church for £440 (a considerable sum of money at the time). A bust of him placed by his family on the wall nearest his grave shows him posed in the act of writing. Each year on his claimed birthday, a new quill pen is placed in the writing hand of the bust.
He is believed to have written the epitaph on his tombstone: Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blest be the man that spares these stones, But cursed be he that moves my bones.
Fr o m www.wikipedia.org
2
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare • Biography
02/22/2006 09:39 PM William Shakespeare - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page 1 of 11 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 - died April 23 (New style: May 3) 1616) was an English poet and playwright. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, as well as one of the greatest in Western literature, and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Shakespeare is believed to have produced most of his work between 1586 and 1616, although the exact dates and chronology of the plays attributed to him are often uncertain. He is counted among the very few playwrights who have excelled in both tragedy and comedy, and his plays combine popular appeal with complex characterisation, poetic grandeur and philosophical depth.
Shakespeare's works have been translated into every major living language, and his plays are continually performed all around the world. In addition, quotations from his plays have passed into everyday usage in many languages. Over the years, many people have speculated about Shakespeare's life, raising questions about his sexuality, whether he was secretly Catholic, and debating whether someone else wrote some or all of his plays and poetry.
Contents 1 Life 1.1 Early life 1.2 Later years 2 Works 2.1 Plays 2.2 Sonnets 2.3 Other poems 3 Style 4 Reputation
5 Speculations about Shakespeare 5.1 Identity 5.2 Religion 5.3 Sexuality 6 See also 7 Bibliography 7.1 Comedies 7.2 Histories 7.3 Tragedies 7.4 Lost plays
William Shakespeare (National Portrait Gallery), in the famous Chandos portrait, artist
and authenticity unconfirmed.
02/22/2006 09:39 PM William Shakespeare - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page 2 of 11 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare 7.5 Poems 7.6 Apocrypha 8 Notes 9 Further reading 10 External links Life
Main article: Shakespeare's life Early life
William Shakespeare (also spelled Shakspere, Shaksper, and Shake-speare, because spelling in Elizabethan times was not fixed and absolute[1]) was born in Henley Street, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, in April 1564, the son of John Shakespeare, a successful tradesman and alderman, and of Mary Arden, a daughter of the gentry. Shakespeare's baptismal record dates to April 26 of that year. Because baptisms were performed within a few days of birth, tradition has settled on April 23 (May 4 on the Gregorian calendar) as his birthday. This date provides a convenient symmetry because Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616.
As the son of a prominent town official, Shakespeare was entitled to attend King Edward VI Grammar School in central Stratford, which may have provided an intensive education in Latin grammar and literature. Also, mainstream scholars assume that Shakespeare was a student at the Stratford Free School, since he would have been entitled to attend it, and textbooks used at the Stratford Free School are alluded to in the plays. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 26, on November 28, 1582 at Temple Grafton, near Stratford. Two neighbours of Anne posted bond that there were no impediments to the marriage. There appears to have been some haste in arranging the ceremony, presumably due to the fact that Anne was three months pregnant.
After his marriage, William Shakespeare left few traces in the historical record until he appeared on the London theatrical scene. Indeed, the late
1580s are known as Shakespeare's "Lost Years" because no evidence has survived to show exactly where he was or why he left Stratford for London. On May 26, 1583, Shakespeare's first child, Susannah, was baptized at Stratford. A son, Hamnet, and a daughter, Judith, were baptized on February 2, 1585.
Later years
Shakespeare's last two plays were written in 1613, after which he appears to have retired to Stratford. He died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52. He remained married to Anne until his death and was survived by his two daughters, Susannah and Judith. Susannah married Dr John Hall, but there are no direct descendants of the poet and
Image of Shakespeare from the First Folio (1623), the first collected edition of his
plays
Shakespeare's signature, from his will
02/22/2006 09:39 PM William Shakespeare - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Page 2 of 11 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare 7.5 Poems 7.6 Apocrypha 8 Notes 9 Further reading 10 External links Life
Main article: Shakespeare's life
Early life
William Shakespeare (also spelled Shakspere, Shaksper, and Shake-speare, because spelling in Elizabethan times was not fixed and absolute[1]) was born in Henley Street, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, in April 1564, the son of John Shakespeare, a successful tradesman and alderman, and of Mary Arden, a daughter of the gentry. Shakespeare's baptismal record dates to April 26 of that year. Because baptisms were performed within a few days of birth, tradition has settled on April 23 (May 4 on the Gregorian calendar) as his birthday. This date provides a convenient symmetry because Shakespeare died on the same day in 1616.
As the son of a prominent town official, Shakespeare was entitled to attend King Edward VI Grammar School in central Stratford, which may have provided an intensive education in Latin grammar and literature. Also, mainstream scholars assume that Shakespeare was a student at the Stratford Free School, since he would have been entitled to attend it, and textbooks used at the Stratford Free School are alluded to in the plays. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, who was 26, on November 28, 1582 at Temple Grafton, near Stratford. Two neighbours of Anne posted bond that there were no impediments to the marriage. There appears to have been some haste in arranging the ceremony, presumably due to the fact that Anne was three months pregnant.
After his marriage, William Shakespeare left few traces in the historical record until he appeared on the London theatrical scene. Indeed, the late
1580s are known as Shakespeare's "Lost Years" because no evidence has survived to show exactly where he was or why he left Stratford for London. On May 26, 1583, Shakespeare's first child, Susannah, was baptized at Stratford. A son, Hamnet, and a daughter, Judith, were baptized on February 2, 1585.
Later years
Shakespeare's last two plays were written in 1613, after which he appears to have retired to Stratford. He died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52. He remained married to Anne until his death and was survived by his two daughters, Susannah and Judith. Susannah married Dr John Hall, but there are no direct descendants of the poet and
Image of Shakespeare from the First Folio (1623), the first collected edition of his
plays
The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has been known as ‘the greatest love story ever told.’ It takes place in the city of Verona, lo-cated in the Lombardy region of northeast Italy. Throughout the play, the city of Mantua is also mentioned. Also lolo-cated in the Lombardy region, but in the northwest of Italy. Verona and Mantua are about 37 miles (59.5km) from one another.
From CliffNotes Romeo and Juliet Summary and Study Guide
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Characters
Romeo
Handsome, impulsive, sensitive only son of Lord and Lady Montague. About sixteen years of age. Is
uninterested in violence. Interested in love and going to great lengths to prove his feelings. Best friends with his cousin, Benvolio, and Mercutio.
Juliet
Beautiful thirteen-year-old girl who does not think much about love or marriage at first. Falls in love
with Romeo, in spite of the feud between their two families. The Nurse is her best friend and
confidante.
Mercutio
Best friend of Romeo, related to the Prince. Known for his sharp wit, and being somewhat ec-centric and hotheaded. Uses puns, especially
sex-ual double entendres.
Tybalt
Juliet’s cousin. The most aggressive, violent char-acter in the play. Prideful. Hates all Montagues.
Benvolio
Romeo’s cousin. Sincerely tries to stop violence in public. As a good friend, he often tries to help
Romeo.
Friar Lawrence
Friend to both Romeo and Juliet. He secretly mar-ries them in the hopes that it will end the feud be-tween their families. Adept with the use of herbs.
Montague
Father of Romeo, husband of Lady Montague. Concerned about Romeo’s gloominess.
Lady Montague
Mother of Romeo, wife of Montague. Dies of grief when Romeo is exiled from Verona.
Capulet
Father of Juliet, husband of Lady Capulet. Loves his daughter, but knows little of her thoughts or feelings. Hates Montague for undisclosed reasons.
Lady Capulet
Juliet’s mother, wife of Capulet. Wants her daugh-ter to marry Paris. Relies on the Nurse so much
that she is less of a mother to Juliet.
Nurse
Cared for Juliet her entire life. Talks a lot and often makes inappropriate remarks. Is a best friend and
confidante to Juliet.
Paris
Suitor of Juliet most preferred by Lord Capulet. Related to the Prince. Not concerned with
recip-rocal love.
Prince Escalus
Prince of Verona. Related to Mercutio and Paris. He is the law, and maintains the public peace in
Verona, at all costs.
Paraphrased from SparkNotes.com
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Shakespearean
an anon art ay chide conceive countenance covenant cunning curst dost/doth dowry durst entreat ere forth fie froward hark hast/hath hence hither jest knave marry nay pate peace pray prithee quoth raiement sirrah suitor tarry thee thence thine thither thou thus thy trow twixt wager whither withal woo WhereforeModern
if soon are yes scold think/understand face agreement (legal) intelligent mean/bad tempered doespayment for marriage dare beg/plead before ahead/forward shame! wild/unmanageable listen has from here/away here joke brat darn it! no head quiet beg/ask please said clothing
sir (less respectfully) person wanting to marry wait around you from there yours there you
so/in this way your
guess/know between bet where and all that
pay attention (romantic) Why
Used in a Modern Sentence
I’ll get mad an you do that. I’ll return anon.
You art a silly twit.
He asked me out and I said “ay”. I chided my little sister for crying. Did you conceive this idea?
He had a big smile on his countenance. We made a covenant to buy a house. She’s very cunning in math.
The curst old witch yelled at me. Doth he go to this school?
He got a big dowry from the bride’s father. How durst you talk to me like that!
I had to entreat them to stay. I got to class ere you did. I must go forth or I’ll be late. Fie, fie, that’s a rotten thing to do! They were a froward group. Hark, I think I hear my father. She hath too much math homework. Get your books hence and move them. He said he would be coming hither soon. This is not something to jest about. My brother is a little knave.
Marry! You said we were leaving soon. Nay, it wasn’t me.
He’s got an awful bump on his pate. Peace, I want you to listen to this. I pray you, please don’t go! Prithee, will you take me with you? “it was he,” quoth the boy.
He wore designer raiement.
Hey sirrah, what are you doing here? Jane has a suitor.
Don’t tarry or you’ll be late. I love thee.
I took it thence and brought it here. This book is mine; that one is thine. We’re going thither to have lunch. Thou must not stay out too late. Do not speak to me thus. Where is thy assignment? I trow it is good for you. It will be a secret twixt us two. I’ll wager that our team wins. Whither do you think you’re going? She had looks, money and friends withal. He was wooing the woman he loved. Wherefore are you late?
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** Find three examples, from three different scenes, that … in
Romeo and Juliet
. **
Content
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Structure (SeEeEeEC): proper paragraph structure is followed
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Punctuation:
Capital letters are used correctly
Periods are used correctly
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Commas follow TIPSAN rules
Apostrophes (possession and contraction) are used correctly
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Syntax:
Simple sentences are used correctly and one sentence is highlighted and labelled “Simple”
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Compound sentences are used correctly and one sentence is highlighted and labelled “Compound”
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Complex sentences are used correctly and one sentence is highlighted and labelled “Complex”
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Compound-complex sentences are used correctly and one sentence is highlighted and labelled “C-C”
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Quotations are embedded properly
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Quotations are introduced by explaining the speaker and context
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This is to be a five (5) paragraph essay, held over three (3) days in-class. Potential topics are listed below. In addi-tion to your essay, you must also submit all rough work (essay outline and/or rough draft, brainstorming) at the end of each day. Edit your work, as ½ a mark will be deducted for each spelling and grammatical error.
Potential Essay Topics:
You will be required to devise your own thesis based on one of the topics below: 1. The role of the feuding families2. The depiction of romantic love 3. The power of destiny
4. The role of religion 5. The misuse of power
6. The development/impact of character
Some General Advice:
Day 1 – Brainstorm, outline, and start rough draft Day 2 – Finish rough draft and begin editing Day 3 – Finish editing, then write/type final draft
A. Romeo and Juliet is a play, not a novel, book, or story. Do not refer to it as anything but a play. B. The essay is to be 750-1000 words (a maximum of 4 pages).
C. Contain three (3) body paragraphs, with three (3) quotations per body paragraph D. Refer to the whole play. Do not draw all your examples from just one part of the play.
E. Analysis must follow quotations, and must highlight the relevance of the quotation to the main point you are making in the topic sentence of that paragraph.
F. Whenever possible, comment on Shakespeare’s use of language (i.e., literary devices). In this play, charac-ters express love and hatred, excitement and fear, joy and grief in powerful and memorable speeches, and you should point this out at every opportunity. Detailed comments on Shakespeare’s mastery use of lan-guage will distinguish an excellent essay from a merely competent one. If a quotation includes a simile, metaphor, or an example of personification, comment on its effectiveness. If a speech includes use of an oxymoron, pun, or double entendre, point this out and say what they add to the speech. In addition, point out and comment on examples of dramatic irony.
Literary Device Reminders:
Double entendre A pun in which one meaning is vulgar or crude. Simile A comparison using ‘like’ or ‘as.’
Metaphor A comparison that does not use ‘like’ or ‘as.’ Oxymoron A self-contradictory combination of words. Pun A word or phrase with two meanings.
Dramatic irony This occurs when a character is not aware of the full significance of their words. The words become ironic to the audience because the audience has information that the character does not.
Personification A comparison in which something is depicted metaphorically as a person (e.g., Romeo V iii 45 compares the tomb to a disgusting human as he breaks in. All the underlined words depict the tomb as a human:
Thou detestable maw (=mouth), thou womb of death, Gorg’d (=overfed) with the dearest morsel of the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open).
You will be evaluated according to the rubric on the next page.
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Overall Expectations: Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience; Using Knowledge of Form and Style: draft and revise their writing, using a variety of literary, informational, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience; Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading, and publishing skills and strategies, and knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively.
Name:
__________________________________________________________________
**Staple and submit this sheet with your completed assignment.**
1Topic Development
Overall effect of paper
2 Support
Degree to which the response includes examples that
de-velop the main points
3 Organization
Degree to which the response is focused, clear, and in a
logical order 4 Communication Vocabulary Word choice Usage 5 Mechanics
Spelling and capitalization Punctuation 5 4 3 2 1 Total
• Clear and complex focus in introduction
• Original/insightful thesis • Thorough development of
ideas
• Shows a high degree of un-derstanding of themes, con-cepts, and ideas
• Supporting details are rich, analyzed and well-developed • Details are relevant, enhance the argument, and are appro-priate for the focus
• Details are effectively and carefully organized • Organizational devices are
incorporated effectively • MLA format is exemplary • Essay shows thorough
evi-dence of revision
• Uses a formal tone and ap-propriate style, with a high degree of effectiveness • Syntax communicates ideas
with a high degree of clarity • Rich, effective use of
aca-demic diction
• Complex use of grammar and sentence structure, with minimal mechanical errors
• Clear focus and thesis • Clear development of ideas • Shows an understanding of themes, concepts, and ideas
• Supporting details are effec-tively analyzed and well-developed
• Details are relevant and appropriate for the focus
• Details are organized effec-tively
• Organizational devices are incorporated
• MLA format is generally correct
• Essay shows evidence of revision
• Uses formal tone and appro-priate style
• Syntax communicates infor-mation with clarity
• Effective and correct usage of academic diction
• Few errors that do not inter-fere with communication
• Basic focus and/or thesis • Some development of ideas • Shows some understanding of
themes, concepts, and ideas
• Some clear supporting details are included
• Some details are relevant and appropriate for the focus
• Some details are organized • Some organizational devices
are incorporated • MLA format is somewhat
correct
• Essay shows some evidence of revision
• Uses some informality in tone and style
• Syntax communicates some information with clarity • Acceptable, generally correct
usage of academic diction
• Errors that sometimes inter-fere with communication
• Vague focus and thesis • Limited development of ideas • Shows limited understanding
of themes, concepts, and ideas
• Basic, undeveloped argu-ments
• Limited details are often inappropriate for the focus
• Limited organization of de-tails. Often resembles free-writing
• Few organizational devices are incorporated • Improper MLA formatting • Essay shows minimal
evi-dence of revision
• Often uses informal tone and style
• Syntax communicates infor-mation with limited clarity • Simplistic vocabulary, with
inappropriate/incorrect usage of academic diction
• Noticeable errors that inter-fere with communication
• Thesis is missing and/or focus is very unclear
• Shows a lack of understand-ing of themes, concepts, and ideas
• Too brief to evaluate accu-rately
• Arguments/evidence/ quotations are missing • Supporting details are
irrele-vant, missing, or unclear • Too few or weak arguments
• Very limited organization of details. Resembles free-writing
• Lack of length and clarity, which results in poor organi-zation
• Little or no MLA formatting • Essay shows no evidence of
revision. No rough copies submitted
• Rarely uses formal tone or style
• Communication of informa-tion lacks clarity due to poor syntax
• Inadequate academic diction, with numerous errors in usage
• Errors seriously interfere with communication
• Too brief to evaluate accu-rately
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