Romeo And Juliet Context Flashcards
When was Romeo and Juliet written?
Between 1591and 1596
What story was Romeo and Juliet borrowed from that was written in Ancient Greece/Rome?
The Tragical history of Romeus and Juliet
Why was Shakespeares relationship frowned upon?
When he met Anne Hathaway she was 26 and he was 18 so he had to seek his father’s approval in order to get married and before the marriage, Anne was 3 months pregnant.
What is the basic format of Shakespeare’s tragedies?
5 acts, first 2 go smoothly,3rd has a turning point and 4th and 5th have a tragic outcome
Who do Shakespeare’s tragedies usually feature?
People in noble positions who lose everything as a result of external pressures, the main protagonists have admirable but flawed personalities which lead to their downfall which is out of their control
Where was Romeo and Juliet set?
Verona
What was renaissance Italy?
Renaissance means rebirth so it was the movement whereby human kind re-examined themselves and Italy became famous for their achievements in art,science, philosophy etc and it was presented as a romantic and exotic location in the Elizabethan era
Why did England see Italy as a free society?
It was made of a series of different states rather than being ruled by a single monarch, by it being set in a foreign land Shakespeare was able to disguise his criticisms of English society
Context behind the theme of love
-UC Elizabethan’s: marriage was about securing your families future,financial transaction over love
-Marriage was arranged by parents usually and women belonged to men therefore relying on their father or husband
-Women couldn’t own property,have education or vote, had domestic duties whereas men were breadwinners and protectors of their families
-Men valued physical prowess especially in duelling and sword fights
Context behind theme of hate
-England had recently left the Catholic Church so there was sectarian conflict between Catholics and Protestants
-being the “wrong“ religion could get you imprisoned,tortured or executed (burned at the stake)
-there was a catholic plot to assassinate the king during Shakespeare’s lifetime (gunpowder plot)
Context behind the theme of family
-Elizabethan families were close so loyalty was crucial
-families were strictly patriarchal (controlled by men)
-women did domestic duties,men were breadwinners
-children were expected to be obedient
-infant mortality was high so children were cherished
-in wealthy families a nurse was employed to raise the children daily
