Theatrical Terminology

Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter, used when nobles speak

Rhyming Verse: used when something emotional or highly important is happening

Prose: everyday language used when the commoners are speaking

Theatrical Terminology

Soliloquy: When the character is alone on stage talking to the audience

Monologue: A long speech given from one character to another

AsideAside: Character talks directly to the : Character talks directly to the audience while the cast ‘doesn’t’ hear itaudience while the cast ‘doesn’t’ hear it

Theatrical Terminology

Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows more than the characters

Dramatic FoilDramatic Foil: A character that is : A character that is present to bring out the present to bring out the characteristics of another charactercharacteristics of another characterBenvolioBenvolio – Brings out Tybalt’s anger – Brings out Tybalt’s angerNurseNurse – is ‘dirty’, brings out Juliet’s – is ‘dirty’, brings out Juliet’s

innocenceinnocence

Theatrical Terminology

Tragic Flaw: a flaw in the main character’s personality that causes his or her downfall. All the main characters in Shakespearean tragedies have one.

What is Romeo and Juliet’s tragic flaw? Their impulsiveness

The Setting

“In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”

The story takes place in Verona, Italy in the 14th Century

Part of the play also takes place in Mantua, another city in Italy

Family Feud!Two very powerful and wealthy families – the Montagues and the Capulets have been at odds with each other for generations

This feud has recently been reignited!

HOUSE OF MONTAGUE

Lord Montague – Head of the householdLady MontagueRomeo – Son of MontagueBenvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of RomeoBalthasar – Servant of RomeoAbram – servant of Montague MM

HOUSE OF CAPULET

Lord Capulet – Head of the householdLady CapuletJuliet – Daughter of CapuletTybalt – Nephew of Lady CapuletNurse – Servant to JulietPeter – Servant to the NurseSampson and Gregory – Servants of the Capulets CC

Other Characters

Prince Escalus – ruler of VeronaMercutio – relative of the Prince and friend of RomeoFriar Laurence – a Franciscan priestFriar John – a Franciscan priestCount Paris – young nobleman, relative of the Prince; potential suitor for JulietApothecary – the druggist/pharmacist