Romeo and Juliet/Shakespearean Drama Notes

Who: Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet

What: Fall in love despite being from enemy families and commit suicide
When: begins mid-morning on a Sunday in July 1400s; ends 4 ½ days later.
Where: Verona, Italy (& Mantua, Italy)
Why: Fate (a widespread and deep belief at the time)

Theater in the Time of William Shakespeare

► The theater building was open air.
► Performances started at 2:00pm to make the most of daylight.
► The stage was usually bare.
► Elizabethan theaters held 1500-3000 people.
► Shakespeare’s plays were performed at the Globe Theatre.
► Characters usually tell us where they are and what time of day it is in their
lines.
► Acting was not a well-respected profession in his time.
► Women were not allowed to perform on stage, so boys would perform all female parts, including Juliet.
Boys were apprenticed to the acting companies between the ages of 6 and 14.
► Actors would have to learn many parts of a play, since up to three different plays would be performed in the
same week by a company.
► Actors usually wore their own clothes unless they were portraying someone evil, royal, or female.

Elizabethan Age (1558-1603) Queen Elizabeth I’s reign; height of the Renaissance; RJ was written between
1594 and 1596; it is somewhat of a true story; fear of the plague and other deadly diseases was a reality;
average life span was 35 years; no sewers or sanitation services and
trash and bodily waste was thrown in the street leading to an
abundance of deadly diseases spread by rats, fleas, and lice. Yuck.
Really excellent on the literary end but complete fail on the heath
end.
Eww…
The Elizabethan people kept rats in their pockets to keep them warm.
The people rarely bathed.
The people didn’t wear underwear.
Sewers were just open holes where people threw trash and other gross stuff.
The men wore panty hose.
The rats lived on human waste.
All raw sewage was dumped in the street and flushed into the Thames River.
They say it was an awful smelling time in history.

Italy in the Age of the Renaissance: The age of consent for

marriage for girls was 12 and boys 14. “Children who married
without parental approval could be, and were, punished with
disinheritance. Although under canon law a couple was in
principle free to marry without parental approval, marriages
lacking the consent, or at least knowledge, of the senior family
members were stigmatized by canonists as well as civil jurists as
contrary to sound morals. In the upper classes, romantic
attachment, premarital sexual relations, individual choice of a mate
 —preconditions of present-day marriages in the West—were
taboo” (Najemy 91).
Note:
-Fate often ruled people’s lives; many people did not believe in free will. Mention of “the stars” is a reference
to fate.
-It was generally considered foolish to marry for love; more important was a person’s social standing.
-Women had little say in who they married; they were often arranged by her parents.
-Women didn’t go to school and should for the most part rely on her husband for support throughout her life.

Dramatic Terms
Aside: a short comment by a character heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage; it expresses a
character’s true thoughts. It can be uttered under one’s breath or whispered to another character. (Sampson [Aside to
GREGORY] Is the law of our side, if I say ay?—when he wanted to know if it was okay to chuck the Montague’s the bird.)
Monologue: a long speech given by one character (Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech, the Prince admonishing the
Montagues and Capulets)
Soliloquy: a long speech, usually given when the character is alone on stage; they differ from monologues in that they
reveal a character’s true emotions and thoughts (Juliet thinking about Romeo, Juliet taking the potion, Romeo to himself
contemplating suicide)

Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows something that the characters in the play do not; (we know Juliet is only
faking death; we know about R&J’s secret marriage)

Verbal Irony: Words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant (Juliet: I will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear
it shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate, rather than Paris ... )

Situational Irony: an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience
(the young lovers do end up spending eternity together, but not in the way the audience had hoped.)
Double entendre: a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué ('Tis no less, I tell you, for
the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon).
Pun: the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications, or the
use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words (Mercutio: Ask for me
tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man—grave means serious and grave as in dead.)
Flat character: a character that represents a single trait (or a very few traits), such as a loyal sidekick. The behavior of
flat characters is usually predictable. (Benvolio, Tybalt, Prince, Sampson, Gregory, Lady Capulet)
Round character: a character that has many traits, some of which may be contradictory. This kind of character is more
like a real person than a flat character, and may behave in unpredictable ways (though they will always be believable for
that character). The main characters (often including the main antagonist) are usually round characters. (Romeo, Juliet,
Friar Lawrence, Capulet, Nurse)
Comic relief: A humorous scene or speech in a serious drama which is meant to provide relief from emotional intensity
and, by contrast, to heighten the seriousness of the story (in Act IV, the servant hiring cooks for the wedding before Juliet
is found “dead”; the musicians after she is found).
Foreshadowing: Event or dialogue that plants hints about what will happen later in the story (Romeo: I fear, too early:
for my mind misgives/Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/ Shall bitterly begin his fearful date / With this night's
revels and expire the term / Of a despised life closed in my breast / By some vile forfeit of untimely death. Also, Juliet: O
God, I have an ill-divining soul! Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low,/As one dead in the bottom of a tomb).
Tragedy: a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as fate) and having
a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion.
Foil: a character that contrasts with another character, and so highlights various facets of the main character's personality.
(Benvolio>Tybalt; Mercutio (witty and skeptical)>Romeo (young lover); Tybalt>Romeo; Paris>Romeo

Shakespeare’s Language
Some of what Shakespeare wrote is in verse. Most of the verse is in Iambic Pentameter. Pentameter is a
line of poetry having five metrical feet (“Penta-“ is the prefix meaning five; as in Pentagon). An Iamb is a
metrical foot having two syllables, the first one short, and the second long. So, Iambic Pentameter feels like a
heartbeat: Short, Long; Short, Long; Short, Long; Short, Long; Short, Long. For example:

JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.

Some of the verse is in Rhyming Couplets, pairs of lines of Iambic Pentameter that rhyme. The rhyming
couplet was often used at the end of scenes to indicate to the audience, the other actors, and the crew, that the
scene is over. Much of the verse in Shakespeare’s plays rhymes, however Blank Verse is a kind of poetry
that does not rhyme, and is written in Iambic Pentameter. Some of the characters in Shakespeare speak in Prose.
Prose is common language that does not necessarily have an underlying rhythmical sound to it. Usually
servants or the lower classes speak prose in Shakespeare’s plays.

Dramatic Plot Line for Romeo & Juliet

4. Climax


3. Rising Action  
Act 3  5. Falling Action

2. Exciting Force Act 4
 
1. Exposition Act 2   6. Moment of Final Suspense
Act 5  7. Catastrophe


Act 1

1. Exposition: general atmosphere, time, place, main characters, opening conditions

2. Exciting Force: sometimes called the “inciting force” or “initial impulse;” the incident which starts the
action of a play, usually in Act I/introduces the conflict (R&J FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT)
3. Rising Action: series of events, usually covering more than one act; protagonist (tragic hero) is the
active force; he appears to have the upper hand (through most of this, RJ is a comedy)
4. Climax: the turning point of the play; hero reaches the peak of his/her power and from this point on,
there is a distinct change; he/she begins a downward path (ROMEO KILLS TYBALT AND EXILED)
5. Falling Action: covers several scenes; fall of the protagonist and rise of the antagonist; the struggle
between the two constitutes the conflict, which is the essence of drama
6. Moment of Final Suspense: events seem to return to hero’s favor; hero believes a tragedy may be
averted (ROMEO THINKS JULIET LOOKS ALIVE)
 7. Catastrophe: complete downfall of the protagonist, either by death or some devastating circumstance
(SUICIDE)

Important Themes in Romeo and Juliet

*Needless feuds should be ended.
*The course of true love doesn’t run smoothly.
*Fate is a controlling force in human life.
*Passion can overtake reason and common sense.
*Immaturity and inexperience can lead to tragic endings.
*Judge people by their character and personal qualities, not by their name or social standing.
*Innocent children sometimes pay for the sins of their parents.

Plot Summary (from )

Act I
Sunday There are two rich families that live in Verona, Italy in the 1400s: the Montagues and the Capulets, and
they hate each other. Their servants even fight each other on the street, but the Prince tells them to knock
it off, or the next time they'll pay with their lives. Lord Montague wants to know why Romeo's been
depressed. Romeo is in love with this girl, Rosaline, but she's not paying any attention to him (she says
she'd rather be a nun than be involved with him), and he's really depressed, moping about just bringing
down his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio. They can't stand it.
Later Lady Capulet wants to know if Juliet will consider marrying Count Paris, whom she and the nurse both
agree is a great catch, but Juliet's not quite fourteen years old, so she's not sure. But, she doesn't say no.
Out on the street, Mercutio and Benvolio are trying to tell Romeo that there are "other fish in the sea," and
so they plan to crash this big party at Lord Capulet's house, which is kind of risky since Romeo's family
hates the Capulets and vice versa. But the party is a masked ball, so they'll be in disguise and will feel
fairly safe.
Sunday Mercutio gives his famous Queen Mab speech to Romeo about dreams. Queen Mab is a fairy who
Evening "dances" on your face as you dream making you dream what she "invents." Mercutio feels that dreams
have no substance and are inconstant. Romeo believes something big is about to happen. Then they go to
the party. At the party, Juliet's eyes meet Romeo's and they fall in love. They connect briefly, but the
arrow (Cupid's) has wounded them both. Also, at this party, Juliet's cousin Tybalt recognizes Romeo's
voice and he is outraged that a Montague would come to their party. Tybalt tells Lord Capulet about it, but
Lord C. doesn't want to spoil the evening, so he tells Tybalt to leave it alone; he's heard that Romeo's not a
bad young man anyway. Hot headed Tybalt cannot leave it alone, though. Soon, Romeo finds out Juliet,
his love, is a Capulet.
Act II
Sunday Night Mercutio makes fun of Romeo being in love, but he still thinks Romeo is in love with Rosaline. Romeo
stands under Juliet's balcony and tells her how much he loves her. She tells him the same. She says she'll
send her nurse tomorrow to ask him if he will marry her. They have a hard time saying goodbye.
Monday Very early Monday, Romeo finds Friar Lawrence out gathering herbs, and confesses he hasn't been to bed
Morning yet. Lawrence tells him he is foolish and that those who act in haste end up badly. Benvolio and Mercutio
wonder where their friend has been. They hear that Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a duel. The nurse
comes to see Romeo to find out his intentions, and he says he will marry Juliet. When the nurse gets back
to Juliet, she teases her, not letting her know what Romeo said right away.
Monday Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet in secret.
Afternoon
Act III
Monday It's really hot outside. Mercutio and Benvolio are out and Tybalt comes on the scene. Mercutio and
Afternoon Tybalt fight. Romeo arrives and tries to stop it, but he gets between Mercutio and Tybalt and makes it
easy for Tybalt to stab Mercutio. Mercutio dies as a result of his wounds. Then, in rage, Romeo fights
Tybalt over the death of his friend, and he kills Tybalt. The Prince, who has warned about violence
before, banishes Romeo after Benvolio tells the story, revealing that it wasn't really Romeo's fault. The
nurse tells Juliet that Tybalt is dead and that Romeo killed him. Juliet is in agony.
Romeo visits Friar Lawrence, complaining that being banished is worse than being dead because he
won't get to be with Juliet. Friar Lawrence tries to convince him that he's lucky. The nurse comes to
Friar Lawrence with word from Juliet; she wants to see Romeo.
Monday Late Lord Capulet decides that Juliet will marry Paris immediately.
Afternoon
Monday Late at Romeo and Juliet spend the night together.
Night
Tuesday at Dawn Romeo doesn't want to leave.
Tuesday Morning Lady Capulet tells Juliet about having to marry Paris, but Juliet refuses. Lord Capulet finds out and
screams at Juliet, telling her she will be disowned if she doesn't marry him. Juliet asks the nurse's
opinion and the nurse says that Juliet should forget about Romeo, that he's a bad person now.
Act IV
Tuesday Paris comes to Friar Lawrence to arrange his wedding with Juliet. Juliet visits Friar Lawrence, and they
Morning plan to have her fake her death so she won't have to marry Paris. Lawrence plans to send word to Romeo
about the plan, but Friar John gets held up and doesn't get the letter there in time.
Tuesday noon Juliet tells her father that she will marry Paris.
Tuesday Night Juliet asks to be alone in her room, and she contemplates the wisdom of this plan, worried that she might
really die. She also worries that she'll be afraid of waking up in the tomb with all the dead bodies around.
She takes the poison, though.
Early Wed. They discover Juliet is "dead" and plan her funeral.
Morning
Act V
Thursday Romeo finds out from his servant Balthasar that Juliet is dead. In agony, Romeo goes to an apothecary to get
Late Night himself a poison. He doesn't want to live if Juliet is dead. Romeo heads to Verona to see Juliet before he kills
himself.
Paris arrives at the Capulet's burial tomb. Romeo has arrived before him and is breaking into the tomb. Paris
challenges Romeo, but Romeo tries to explain that he doesn't want to fight. They fight, though and Paris
dies.
In the tomb, Romeo sees Juliet. He goes to her and speaks his last speech. He is amazed that she is still
warm, his clue that she may not be dead, but he is too hasty, and he swallows the poison. Romeo dies.
Friar Lawrence arrives, alarmed that Romeo got there first. He goes in and finds Romeo dead and fears what
will happen to him when people find out what he did. Juliet wakes up. She sees Romeo and realizes he's
dead. Friar Lawrence tries to get her to leave, but she's inconsolable. She takes Romeo's dagger and kills
herself.
The parents arrive and find Romeo dead and Juliet dead "again." The Friar tells the entire story, of how they
were married. The Prince tells them that this tragedy is everyone's fault, even himself because he didn't
punish the feuding families more harshly.
Lord Montague and Lord Capulet realize, finally, that their long-standing hatred for each other's family must
end.