♥ Shakespeare Notes
"For never was a story of more woe/ Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Welcome to "Fair Verona, where we lay our scene." William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is unlike any other tragedy written by him: it starts out resembling a comedy--full of puns, comedic characters, and light-hearted humor. But watch out! In Act 3, things go south (metaphorically) for the lovers, their families, and their friends. So what is Shakespeare trying to tell us about love in this play? Is it the closest thing to heaven we'll ever experience on Earth, or is it an emotion just as dangerous and fatal as hate?
We will start out with an exploration of courtly love and vocabulary related to love. Be sure you know these terms of the heart. See class handouts. In addition, an understanding of sonnets will also enhance your appreciation of this play. Be sure to review the handouts on sonnets. You will get the opportunity to "live the dream" by writing your own sonnet!
Before we read the text, we will watch the 1968 movie directed by Franco Zeffirelli.We will watch this film to get a solid understanding of the plot, the settings, and the personalities and motivations of the key characters. Be sure to take notes, and to complete the class worksheets.
We will briefly review the highlights of Shakespeare's life. Not much is known about the Bard, so be sure you know the basic facts.
♥ Once we start reading the text, here are the
Important Handouts
♥ Literary Terms:
Remember, the study of Shakespeare is all about the language. Be sure to look at the Bard's word choice and literary techniques as you read. Look for similes, metaphors, personification, allusion, alliteration, puns, oxymorons, juxtaposition of scenes, character foils, duality, sonnets, rhyme, blank verse, and parody of courtly love (using hyperbole and oxymorons to imitate Petrarch). Check out the class handouts and pages 100-105 of the SHHS Handbook.
We will start out with an exploration of courtly love and vocabulary related to love. Be sure you know these terms of the heart. See class handouts. In addition, an understanding of sonnets will also enhance your appreciation of this play. Be sure to review the handouts on sonnets. You will get the opportunity to "live the dream" by writing your own sonnet!
Before we read the text, we will watch the 1968 movie directed by Franco Zeffirelli.We will watch this film to get a solid understanding of the plot, the settings, and the personalities and motivations of the key characters. Be sure to take notes, and to complete the class worksheets.
We will briefly review the highlights of Shakespeare's life. Not much is known about the Bard, so be sure you know the basic facts.
♥ Once we start reading the text, here are the
Important Handouts
- Click HERE for a copy of the ACT 1 vocabulary worksheet.
- Click HERE for a copy of the ACT 2 vocabulary worksheet.
- Click HERE for a copy of the Queen Mab worksheet.
- Click HERE for a copy of the Block 3 Study Guide questions. (This may vary slightly from the class handout. It has all the questions, but not all the supplemental info at the end of the packet. See me if you have lost your packet. I have a few extras.)
- Click HERE for a copy of the Blocks 1 & 4 Study Guide questions. (This may vary slightly from the class handout. It has all the questions, but not all the supplemental info at the end of the packet. See me if you have lost your packet. I have a few extras.)
♥ Literary Terms:
Remember, the study of Shakespeare is all about the language. Be sure to look at the Bard's word choice and literary techniques as you read. Look for similes, metaphors, personification, allusion, alliteration, puns, oxymorons, juxtaposition of scenes, character foils, duality, sonnets, rhyme, blank verse, and parody of courtly love (using hyperbole and oxymorons to imitate Petrarch). Check out the class handouts and pages 100-105 of the SHHS Handbook.
