The document provides historical context about William Shakespeare and analyzes his play Romeo and Juliet. It discusses the cultural and political climate of 1594-1595 in Italy. It then summarizes the plot of Romeo and Juliet, describing the five acts and how the tragic love story between the two young lovers from feuding families unfolds. It also analyzes some of the main themes and characters in the play.

1. William
Shakespeare
Soleil M. Pérez
ENGL 3222
Prof. Mara Luna

2. Historical Context
Cultural:
1594 & 1595
escrita
Leonardo da Vinci starts working on his
painting Mona Lisa.
Looks for inspiration in a personal
interpretation of classical art.
Isabeline Theater
Poems were written to be musicalized

3. Political:
The monarchy
Foundation of the Tudor dynasty
Wars of the Roses

4. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 1564-1616
He was an English poet and
playwright, widely regarded as
the greatest writer in the
English language and the
world's pre-eminent dramatist.
He is often called
England's national poet and
the "Bard of Avon".
His extent works, include
about 38 plays, 154 sonnets,
two long narrative poems, and
a few other verses.
He was born and died on April
23 in Stratford-upon-Avon.

5. Shakespeare wrote:

6. PLOT
Romeo and Juliet is
a tragedy written early
in the career of
William Shakespeare
about two young star-
crossed lovers whose
deaths ultimately
reconcile their feuding
families.

7. GALLERY IN THE
CAPULETS’ PALACE
Capulets, nobles of Verona
Juliet is turning fifteen
Romeo & various friends are
masked
They are looking at the
magnificent feast

8. Second Act :
GARDEN IN JULIET’S
HOUSE
Romeo isn’t scared about his
enemies hatred
Juliet appears & the
youngsters meet
The hatred of their families is
dwelling over their heads
Romeo has been recognized
by the young Capulet
The revelation unsettles the
lovers that ignore their
identities

9. Third Act:
CLOISTER IN A
MONASTERY
Posterior Front of the
Capulets’ palace
Romeo visits Friar Laurence
Lovers’ encounter
Hope of putting an end to
the families’ brawl
The fight immediately starts
and Mercutio joins in.
Tybalt sings an offensive
song
The hostilities are resumed

10. Juliet’s Bedroom
Fourth Act :
Romeo must abandon Verona
He must obtain his pardon for
Tybalt’s death.
Capulet and Friar Laurence
appear.
Friar Laurence comforts Juliet and
gives her a narcotic.
The beverage will give her the
appearance of death.

11. The Capulet’s crypt
Juliet lies in slumber on a
luxurious burial chamber
Romeo arrives to the crypt
and hugs her with an
immense pain
Romeo kills himself and Juliet
wakes up from her slumber
Juliet takes Romeo’s dagger
and kills herself
FIFTH ACT:

12. The playwright divided the play in five acts
• In the first act we see a confrontation between the
families and the birth of Romeo & Juliet’s love.
• In the second act we see the frenetic love of the
young lovers and their secret marriage.
• In the third act the tragedy begins with Mercutio’s
death, we also see their wedding night.
• In the forth act Fray Laurence’s fateful plan is
executed and the Capulet’s believe Juliet is dead.
• In the fifth act the tragedy reaches its climax with
the confusion that results in Romeo & Juliet’s
suicide, but this also brings peace between the two
families.

13. Presentation: Dispute between Gregory and
Sampson and Abram and Balthasar, then Romeo
appears whines from a non-reciprocated love, that of
Rosaline. Romeo’s friends learn about a feast at the
Capulet’s house where he meets Juliet.
Climax: Romeo sends communication to his beloved
Juliet of the wedding date which is performed by Friar
Laurence. After a second dispute between the two
families, Romeo is exiled from Verona.
Conclusion: Juliet’s father forces his daughter to
marry Count Paris. Juliet, thinks of a plan and makes
everyone believe she is dead. The friar sends a letter
to Romeo but he doesn’t receive it. This is why Romeo
drinks some poison and when Juliet realizes what has
happened, kills herself with his dagger.

14. Love is stronger than anything, even
death itself.
Main Theme
Secondary Themes
First love
Falling in love
Tragic love
Hatred, violence, and animosity
Death

15. ROMEO JULIET
*Pacific in the beginning
*Vengative when he kills
Tybalt
*Daring
*Immature

16. MAIN CHARACTERS
CAPULET FAMILY
*Mr. Capulet: Patriarch of Capulet family.
*Mrs. Capulet: Matriarch of Capulet family.
*Juliet: Capulets’ daughter and play’s protagonist.
*Tybalt: Juliet cousin and nephew of Mrs. Capulet.
*The nurse: Juliet’s confidant.
*Peter, Sampson & Gregory: Servants at the Capulet’s house.
MONTAGUE FAMILY
*Mr. Montague: Patriarch of the Montague family.
*Mrs. Montague: Matriarch of the Montague family.
*Romeo: Montagues’ son and play’s protagonist.
*Benvolio: Romeo’s cousin and friend.
*Abram & Balthasar: Servants at the Montagues’ house.

17. SECONDARY CHARACTERS
VERONA’S GOVERNMENT
*Prince Escalus: Prince of Verona.
*Count Paris: Kinsman of Prince Escalus who wishes to marry Juliet.
*Mercutio: Cousin of Prince Escalus and Romeo’s friend.
*Friar Laurence: Franciscan friar and Romeo’s friend.
*The chorus: They read the beginning prologue and one other speech.
*Friar John: Is sent to give Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo.
*Apothecary: Reluctantly sells Romeo the poison.
*Rosaline: Woman with whom Romeo had a relationship before
meeting Juliet.

18. PLAY SEGMENT
• O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZLVlajiihI

19. MOVIE VERSIONS
Director:
Franco Zefirelli, 1968
Actors: Olivia Hussey
and Leonard Whiting
Director:
Baz Luhrmann, 1996
Actors: Claire Danes and
Leonardo DiCaprio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHfIzTSUpz4
Director:
Carlo Carlie, 2013
Actors: Hailee Steinfeld and
Douglas Booth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GDd83IQDxw

20. This is a beautiful play by William
Shakespeare that shows us how true
love is stronger than anything, no
matter the obstacles and adversities.
Although Romeo and Juliet couldn’t
be together in the end, they at least
had the satisfaction of dying together
knowing that they did everything they
could to fulfill the immense passion
they shared.