Introduction to

Shakespeare
 William Shakespeare
● Born 1564, died 1616
● Wrote 37 plays
● Wrote over 150 sonnets
● Actor, poet, playwright
 Types of Plays
● Shakespeare wrote:

● Comedies - light and amusing,

usually with a happy ending

● Tragedies –serious dramas

with disastrous endings

● Histories – involve events or

persons from history
 The Theatre
• The Globe
Theatre:

• Open ceiling

• Three stories high

• No artificial
lighting
• Plays were shown
during daylight
hours only
 Spectators
● Wealthy people got
to sit on benches

● The poor (called

“groundlings”) had
to stand and watch
from the courtyard

● There was much

more audience
participation than
today
 Actors
● Only men and boys

● Young boys whose

voices had not
changed played the
women’s roles

● It would have been

indecent for a woman
to appear on stage
 Romeo and Juliet
● Considered a tragedy

● Tells the story of two

teenagers who risk
everything for love

● Shakespeare is
exploring which is
stronger: love or hate
 The Montagues
Lord Montague – father of Romeo

Lady Montague – mother of Romeo

Romeo Montague – in love with Juliet

Benvolio – nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo

Balthasar – servant to Romeo

Abram – servant to Montague

 The Capulets
Lord Capulet – father of Juliet

Lady Capulet – mother of Juliet

Juliet Capulet – in love with Romeo

Tybalt – nephew of Lady Capulet

Nurse – takes care of Juliet

Peter – servant to Juliet’s Nurse

 Other Characters
Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona

Mercutio – kinsman of the Prince and friend of

Romeo

Friar Laurence – a Franciscan priest

Friar John – another Franciscan priest

Count Paris – a young nobleman

 Things to think about…
● What would you do if your
parents did not approve of
someone you were dating?

● How important is the opinion of

your family in decisions that you
make?

● Does violence solve problems?