The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
Uploaded by LiLi on Apr 20, 2002
AUTHOR
William Shakespeare was born on April 23,1564 in Warwickshire, England. He was the third child and first son of John and Mary Shakespeare. John Shakespeare was a maker, worker, and seller of leather. William went to school at the Stratford grammar school. He married Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. William and Anne had three children together. A daughter name Susanna in 1583 and twins named Hamnet and Judith in 1585. William became an actor and playwright between 1592 and 1594. During that time he wrote “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.” Most of Shakespeare’s sonnets were written in 1598, but were not published until 1609. Shakespeare returned to Stratford in 1610. He made his will just one month before he died on April 23, 1616.
SETTING
This play takes place in Verona and Mantua.
MAIN CHARACTERS
Romeo Montague was in love with Juliet. He was fickle and impulsive. Romeo did not think about his actions before he did them.
Juliet Capulet was loyal and devoted to Romeo. She was also defiant towards her parents.
Friar Lawrence was a wise old man that helped Romeo and Juliet get married. The Friar made plans for Romeo and Juliet to leave Verona, but Romeo was too desperate and the plan did not work.
The Nurse is very helpful, loving, and caring towards Juliet.
MINOR CHARACTERS
Rosaline was Romeo’s first love.
Mercutio was a loyal friend to Romeo. He was also a willful person.
Sampson was a servant of the Capulet’s.
Gregory was a servant of the Capulet’s.
Abraham was a servant of the Montague’s.
Tybalt was a fighter. He was also mean and strong.
Benvolio was a peacemaker. He was very friendly.
Balthasar was Romeo’s messenger.
Capulet is a strict and wise man. He is also Juliet’s father.
Lady Capulet is a nice woman. She is also strict and stuck-up. She was the mother of Juliet.
Montague is a strict father to Romeo, but he is a very smart man.
Lady Montague is the type of person that likes to make peace. She is the mother of Romeo.
The Prince is strict and mean, but he understands the death of Mercutio and Tybalt.
Paris is a proud young man that is very lonely and nice.
Friar John was an assistant to Friar Lawrence.
THEME
The theme of the play is that hate is the destruction of all man. In this theme the author is trying to say that there is no point for a person to hate another person because it just leads...