Romeo and Juliet Study Guide

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TOUCHSTONE JULIET CRE VIEW TEACH SEE CREATE HAMLET DISCUSS CLEOPATRA SEE LISTEN LAUGHROSALIND DIRECT PLAY

SHYLOCKCREA CAESAR LEARN

T ACT TEACH E OTHELLO OPHELIA Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards

The material in this study guide is designed to meet the following Pennsylvania Academic Standards.

Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening • Students will use knowledge of root words and words from literaryo works t recognize and understand the meaning of new words. (1.1.11 C) • Students will identify, describe, evaluate, and synthesize the essential ideas in text. (1.1.11 D) • Students will read and understand works of literature. (1.3.11 A) • Students will analyze effectiveness, in terms of literary quality, of the author’s use of literary devices. (1.3.11 C) • Students will analyze and evaluate in poetry the appropriateness of diction and figurative language (e.g., irony, understatement, overstatement, paradox). (1.3.11 E) • Students will analyze how a scriptwriter’s use of words creates tone and mood, and how choice of words advances the theme or purpose of the work. (1.3.11 E) • Students will read and respond to nonfiction and fiction including poetry and drama. (1.3.11 F) • Students will demonstrate fluency and comprehension in reading. (1.1.11 H) • Students will listen to others. (1.6.11 A) • Students will listen to selections of literature. (1.6.11 B) • Students will contribute to discussion. (1.6.11 D) • Students will participate in small and large group discussions and presentations. (1.6.11 E)

2 Contents

Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards ...... 2 A Message From the Director...... 4 Shakespeare’s Life and Times ...... 5 What Did Shakespeare Look Like? ...... 5 Shakespeare Portrait Gallery ...... 6 The Elizabethan Theatre ...... 7 Plot Synopsis ...... 8 Did You Know? ...... 13 Romeo and Juliet on Stage and Screen ...... 14 Marriage in Elizabethan Times...... 15 A Bit About Setting...... 17 Interviews with Cast and Crew...... 18 Before and After the Performance...... 25

Romeo and Juliet is the most famous We asked these questions of love story in the English language. Are Philadelphia and invited the greater there lines that you are already familiar community to write sonnets talking with? “O Romeo, Romeo. Wherefore about what it means to be in love art thou Romeo?” Juliet wishes Romeo today. We got some great responses, could be anyone else except the and decided to put some of the sworn enemy of her family, but they sonnets into the show. Shakespeare take the risk and choose each other wrote Romeo and Juliet (and all his anyway! I think the play captures our plays) in five acts, and while we will imagination, because we get to watch only take one intermission (in the two young people throw away their middle of Shakespeare’s Act 3), we parents’ rules and invent a new love. put one sonnet in between each of They create their own version, which Shakespeare’s five acts. These are is intense and secret and special. great moments in the story to pause, reflect, and hear a personal reflection from someone in the community. I Have you had similar experiences? Do think this is a great way to take this you see relationships the same way ancient love story and hear it fresh; your parents see them? Have you had giving it a new and different life when to invent your own version of love with it is framed with these contemporary someone? Do you think it can last? voices and stories.

Many scholars have pointed out that If you were going to write your own most comedies begin this way - with story about being in love today, what two young lovers having to find a way would you write about? Can you relate out from under their stick-in-the-mud to Romeo and Juliet? Or do you think parents to be together. But in a they are making a mistake? Are the comedy, everyone gets married and Friar and the Nurse right to help the lives happily ever after. In Romeo and young lovers? Or are they part of the Juliet, the lovers marry, but we see problem? Is Capulet too hard on his what happens after Happily Ever After: daughter? Or is he keeping her and it isn’t good. The real world protected? comes back and crushes their bubble and, instead of choosing to accept David O’Connor this defeat, the star-crossed lovers take their life. While the audience gets David O’Connor to revel in the excitement and passion Director, Romeo and Juliet of young love, we are also warned of the dangers of naïveté and the harsh realities of society. While the play is 420 years old, are things very different?

4 Shakespeare’s Life What Did Shakespeare Look and Times Like? Until recently, there was not even a clear idea of what Shakespeare looked like. The most There is very little actually known about William accurate depictions were an engraving and a Shakespeare. However, more is known about bust, both made after his death. One painting him than most dramatists from the period. He was believed to have been done during his was christened on April 26, 1564 and his birth lifetime, but research has since shown that the date is historically attributed to April 23, 1564. painting was altered, leaving scholars and lovers He was the eldest of John Shakespeare and Mary of the Bard still wondering. Arden. He was born and raised in Stratford-upon- Avon, a market town approximately ninety miles Then in 2006 an amazing discovery was made. northwest of London. His father was a glover, While touring the exhibit wool trader and money lender, who became the “Searching for Shake- town’s Bailiff (Mayor) in 1582. Shakespeare speare” at The National most likely attended the town’s grammar school Portrait Gallery in London, where he was instructed in Latin and studied the Alec Cobbe saw the famed Classics. “false painting” and real- In November of 1582, he married Anne ized that it bore a striking Hathaway. In May of 1583, their first child, resemblance to a painting Susanna, was born. Two years later, Hamnet that had been in his fam- and Judith, fraternal twins, were born. ily’s collection since the 18th century. Scholars There is no record of Shakespeare’s early career. and historians feverishly At some point he went to London and began compared Cobbe’s paint- working as an actor and playwright. By 1595, ing to the engraving that Shakespeare was a shareholder in The Lord was made for the First Chamberlain’s Men (later called the King’s Folio (the first printed col- Men). In 1596, his son Hamnet died. lection of Shakespeare’s In 2009, the Shakespeare Birth- In the years that followed, Shakespeare’s plays plays in 1623). place Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon announced that the “Cobbe were written, performed, and many of them Historically, engravings Portrait” (as the painting is now printed. In 1597, he purchased New Place, were copied from actual called) is the only likeness we the second largest home in Stratford. In 1616, have from Shakespeare’s lifetime. paintings. The similarity Shakespeare died, reportedly on his birthday. He was remarkable. Moreover, is buried in Holy Trinity church, the same place the painting bears a Latin inscription that is a where he was christened 52 years prior. quote from the Roman poet, Horace, to another The exact number of plays penned by poet, indicating the profession of the painting’s Shakespeare is debated. Much scholarly work subject. Lastly, perhaps the most convincing is being done in the field of Shakespeare Textual piece of evidence, Cobbe is a distant relative of Studies to determine which plays were solely Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton, authored by Shakespeare and which were co- Shakespeare’s patron. Wriothesley is arguably authored. However, most agree that Shakespeare the person in Shakespeare’s life who would have wrote 38 plays, 5 long poems and 154 sonnets. had the means and interest to commission such a portrait. Further scientific testing has been done to the painting to authenticate its date.

5 Shakespeare Portrait Gallery

Engraving by Martin Droeshout, 1623. Until recently, considered the most accurate likeness of Shakespeare Grafton Portrait, 1588. The year during his life, even though it was is within Shakespeare’s lifetime, commissioned for the publication of Chandos Portrait, however, the clothes are most the First Folio, seven years after his 1623 or 1610. likely too expensive for what death. Shakespeare would have been able to afford when he was 24 years old.

Soest Portrait, 1660 Sanders Portrait, 1603. Labled as Shake- speare. John Sanders, was an actor in Marble Bust, 1620? Shakespeare’s company, so the painter Shakespeare died in 1616. knew Shakespeare. However, the subject looks younger than Shakespeare would have been at that time, and there is not a strong likenesses to the other more repu- table paintings.

Flower Portrait, 1800s. Based on the Droeshout engraving. The painting was made over top of one Janssen Portrait, c. 1610. The one that that was painted in 1609. was based on the Cobbe portrait. It was Artist Unknown, 1700. altered in 1770 to look more like Shake- Based on the Chandos Portrait. speare (i.e. the Droeshout engraving) by making him bald. It has since been restored to its original state. 6 The Elizabethan Theatre costumes, and songs were all expected to be filled in by the actors. There was an area behind the stage called the tiring house, which was used for changing costume during the play. The actors prided themselves on the accessories they wore, and the company even bought clothes from Lords and Knights, to wear upon the stage. In 1599, a Swiss visitor called Thomas Platter saw the Lord Chamberlain’s production detail of 1647 map of London of Julius Caesar and reported that “the actors are most expensively and elaborately The writers of the Elizabethan era worked in costumed.” Performed on September 21st, a very different way than playwrights today. it may have been the first production shown Instead of producing a play independently, at the Globe (which had been constructed they were first required to present a company earlier that year). Constructed out of timber with their idea for a plot. The leading actors from their previous playhouse “The Theatre,” and managers would then decide whether it could house up to 3000 spectators and they liked it or not, and offer a down payment was the most magnificent venue London had for its completion. ever seen. This close relationship between the writer and The stage was covered in straw and the performers meant that writers created measured approximately 43 ft in width by their characters with certain actors in mind. 27 ft in depth, with the audience standing For example, knowing that Richard Burbage on all three sides. The wall at the back of the was the Chamberlain’s leading man and stage had a door on both sides for entrances that he had a good memory for long scripts, and exits, and a central opening that was Shakespeare created the parts of Richard III normally covered with hangings. Above the and Hamlet for him. As the actor grew older, stage there was a trapdoor and a windlass for Shakespeare made his characters more lowering performers down to the stage and, mature. on the stage itself, there was a trapdoor for surprise appearances of witches and the like. When Shakespeare finished a play, it was Source: The Royal Shakespeare Company: not distributed to the actors in books. www.rsc.org.uk Instead, each player received his own ‘role,’ which was a long sheet of parchment with his lines written on it. This meant that he would not see who else was going to be on the stage until they actually rehearsed the scene. How strange we would find this today when, reading a play for the first time, we were unable to flick through the pages of a scene to see who entered when, and what happened next. Rehearsals were used to sort out the details not specified in the script. Entrances, exits, the new “Skakespeare’s Globe,” built in 1996, a few blocks from the site of the original Globe in London

7 his way to her, but is soon spotted by Tybalt. Plot Synopsis Tybalt sends for his rapier, but is discouraged by Capulet, who proclaims that Romeo is well liked in the city, and there will be no such Act 1: violence at the masquerade between the families. Tybalt obeys, but vows he will not let A confrontation brews between the Capulet this insult pass unpunished. Romeo comes and Montague families. In the balmy streets of upon Juliet, whom he begs to absolve his sins Verona, Sampson and Gregory (servants of with her kiss, which she obliges. After the two the Capulet family) watch as servants to the kiss again, Juliet’s nurse approaches and Montagues approach. Sampson bites his whisks her away to her mother. Romeo asks thumb at them, a gesture of great insult. The the nurse who the strange girl is and the fight that ensues boils over until Benvolio nurse replies that she is a Capulet. Romeo is draws his sword in an effort to keep the crushed to know he is in love with a Capulet. peace. This in turn enrages the war-like Juliet, just as enamored by her kiss with this Tybalt, who then explains that he hates peace strange man, asks the nurse to find out who as much as he hates Montagues. The conflict he is. When the nurse returns with the is quelled temporarily when the Prince of information that the strange man is Romeo, a Verona explains he will put to death any more Montague, Juliet laments her fate as well. men who continue this petty feud.

Lord Capulet explains to Paris, a noble kinsman of the Prince, that he favors him as a suitor to his young daughter, Juliet, but that Juliet is too young and Paris must wait a few years to marry her. Capulet then gives a list to his servant Peter, with instructions to invite guests on the list to the masquerade his family is throwing. Peter mistakes Benvolio and Romeo as regular citizens and invites them to the ball. Romeo, disillusioned over his love of Rosaline, agrees to go if only to see different women.

In the house of Capulet, Juliet is summoned by her mother for to talk about marriage. Juliet says she has not thought about it. Lady Capulet implores Juliet to consider her options soon and Juliet agrees to look fondly upon Paris at the masquerade.

Donning masks, Benvolio, Mercutio, and Romeo attend the masquerade. Romeo becomes enamored with a beautiful girl, who 1870 oil painting, Ford Maddox Brown happens to be Juliet. The young lover makes

8 Despite his distrust, the Friar agrees to wed Act 2: the two, on the hope that it will finally end the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets. Romeo hides in Juliet’s garden below her balcony while his friends search for him. The Mercutio and Benvolio discuss the young Romeo sees Juliet on her balcony and disappearance of their friend Romeo, and compares her to the sun, while remaining learn from a servant that he never returned hidden. Juliet, unaware of Romeo’s presence, home last night. After disparaging Rosaline, laments if he were to truly love her she would the two also note that Tybalt has sent a letter give up her name, or he could give up his and challenging Romeo to a duel. Mercutio their love would be absolved. Romeo, upon declares his hatred for Tybalt, before Romeo hearing this, emerges from the garden and appears. Mercutio persists in mocking Romeo surprises Juliet. The two admit their love for over his love affair with Rosaline, and then each other. After being called in by her nurse, notes that Romeo abandoned them last night. Juliet returns to her balcony and tells Romeo Romeo defends his choice, saying the need she will send for him tomorrow, and the two for such an action was too great, before the agree on a time of 9 am. Nurse appears. The Nurse asks if one of them is Romeo, and Romeo admits he is. The The next morning, Romeo comes upon Friar Nurse cautions Romeo about leading Juliet Lawrence collecting herbs. The Friar is on, but Romeo exclaims that he is steadfast in surprised to see Romeo so bedraggled, and his love, and tells the Nurse to get Juliet to assumes he has spent the night in sin with Friar Lawrence’s cell, where the two will be Rosaline before their marriage. Romeo replies wed. The Nurse agrees to deliver the that he has found a new love in Juliet, and the message, and furthermore will set up a ladder Friar notes the fickleness of young love. of cloth that Romeo can ascend to Juliet’s room on their wedding night.

In the orchard of the Capulets, Juliet awaits the return of her Nurse with news of Romeo. The Nurse returns and tells Juliet that Romeo awaits her in Friar Lawrence’s cell, where the two will finally be married.

The two wed in Friar Laurence’s cell. Act 3:

In the hot Verona streets, Mercutio and Benvolio meet up Tybalt and a group of Capulets. Mercutio taunts Tybalt, provoking him as Romeo approaches. Tybalt accosts Romeo, desiring to duel him. Romeo refuses to duel, as he is now married to Juliet and thus kin to Tybalt. Mercutio responds to this

Title page of the First Folio edition, 1597

9 by declaring he will fight Tybalt, and the two Nurse appears, and gives Romeo the ring that duel as Romeo attempts to throw himself in Juliet gave her. Romeo prepares to visit Juliet. the middle and restore peace. As Romeo does this, Tybalt stabs Mercutio, who dies. Tybalt Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Paris discuss the flees momentarily as Romeo laments the recent tragic events that have taken place. death of Mercutio. Tybalt reappears and Capulet tells Paris that because of all that has Romeo agrees to fight him, killing Tybalt in the transpired recently, he has had no time to ask ensuing duel. Romeo flees as a group of Juliet her opinion of Paris as a potential citizens appear with the Prince. Despite husband, but that he believes Juliet will surely Benvolio’s protests of innocence, the Prince respect his wishes with regards to choosing a finds Romeo guilty of fighting and decrees suitor. He schedules their wedding for that Romeo shall be banished in exile Thursday, three days from the present. henceforth. The next scene, Romeo and Back at the Capulet Juliet awaken in Juliet’s estate, The Nurse quarters. Romeo contends informs Juliet that he must leave immediately, Tybalt has been as morning approaches and killed by Romeo. he will be killed if he Juliet is thrown into remains in the city. Juliet despair by the news protests before accepting of the fight and the inevitable, and Romeo Romeo’s exile. She departs as Lady Capulet is unsure that approaches Juliet’s quarters. Romeo will even be After climbing down her able to visit her in balcony by means of the the night, before the ladder, Romeo promises Nurse assures Juliet Juliet they will meet again, she knows where before both note the pale, Romeo is hiding, grave-like look of each other. and will personally Lady Capulet enters after make sure Romeo Romeo leaves, and finds a can visit her. grief-stricken Juliet crying. Lady Capulet mistakes her In the following tears as grief over the death scene, we find Romeo in the cell of Poster from The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre’s of Tybalt. When Capulet 2014 Production Friar Lawrence, enters and tells Juliet of her distraught over the events that have just impending engagement to Paris, the young transpired. The Friar assures Romeo that not girl declares that she will not do it, and all is lost, and that he must not give up on his Capulet threatens to disown her should she life and love. A plan is set in motion: Romeo is refuse. Distraught, Juliet turns to the Nurse for to visit Juliet at night, then flee to nearby advice. When the Nurse advises her to accept Mantua in accordance with his exile. The her father’s wishes and marry Paris, Juliet agrees to appease her. Juliet then tells the

10 Nurse she is going to Friar Lawrence’s cell for gone to a better place. The family begins to a confession, before secretly vowing she will make funeral preparations. not listen to the Nurse’s advice, and if all goes wrong, she still has the power to take her own life. Act 4:

Friar Lawrence speaks with Paris in his cell about his impending marriage to Juliet. When Juliet appears, Friar Lawrence gets Paris to leave the room under the pretense of hearing Juliet’s confession. When the two are alone, Juliet brandishes a knife, declaring she would rather die than marry Paris. The two hatch a plan: Juliet will agree to marry Paris and on the night before the wedding, she will drink a sleeping potion. The Capulet family will thus think the sleeping Juliet to be dead and place her in their ancestral tomb. There in the tomb, Juliet will finally awaken to Romeo (whom the Friar will inform) and the two will elope and live in Mantua happily ever after. Poster from an 1820 English production of Romeo and Juliet. In the following scene, Juliet returns home and apologizes for her disobedience to her father’s wishes. She agrees to marry Paris, and Capulet is overjoyed and moves the wedding ahead to Wednesday. Act 5:

Juliet begs the Nurse and her mother to be On Wednesday morning in Mantua, Romeo left alone for the night. When the two oblige, talks to his servant Balthasar, who informs the girl takes out the sleeping potion and him that Juliet has been found dead at her clutches the vial, afraid of what may happen home. Romeo is distraught and seeks out should anything go wrong. After having a horses to ride to Verona before going to an vision of Tybalt’s ghost searching for Romeo, apothecary to buy poison. Romeo bribes the the young Juliet drinks down the potion. apothecary, a poor man who cannot refuse Romeo’s money, despite the fact that selling The next morning, the Capulets prepare for poison carries a death sentence. Romeo buys Juliet’s wedding to Paris. When the Nurse the poison, and when alone declares his finds Juliet dead in her bed, the family joins intention of killing himself at Juliet’s tomb. her in mourning along with Paris. Friar Lawrence comforts the family, saying she has In the scene that follows, Friar John tells Friar Laurence that he was unable to deliver the

3 3 note to Romeo informing him of Juliet’s false before trying to kiss Romeo’s lips and absorb death, and thus Romeo still believes the death what little poison was left on them. When this to be real. Friar Lawrence, troubled over this does not work, Juliet draws Romeo’s dagger news, sends for a crowbar, knowing he will and stabs herself, collapsing in death on top have to free Juliet from her tomb himself, as of her love. Romeo is unaware of the plan. The Friar then sends out another message to Romeo, hoping Up in the courtyard, the night watch and the to reach the youth in time. Prince finally arrive. They find Balthasar and Friar Lawrence, and along with the Capulets, Paris and his page enter a church courtyard, they descend into the tomb. Montague then with the intention of scattering flowers about arrives, after declaring his wife dead of grief Juliet’s tomb below. Before long, Paris hears over the exile of her son. Friar Lawrence then others approaching, and he and his page tells the Prince of the secret marriage between hide. Romeo enters the scene with his servant Romeo and Juliet, and the Prince scolds both Balthasar, whom he tells he is reclaiming a families for their foolish feuding, which cost so ring he gave to Juliet. After giving Balthasar a many lives. Both Capulet and Montague clasp letter to deliver to his family, Romeo orders his hands, agreeing to put their feud behind them servant to leave, but Balthasar, suspicious of and that they will each raise a statue of gold in Romeo, lingers. Paris (in hiding) recognizes the likeness of Romeo and Juliet. The Prince Romeo as the man who killed Tybalt, because pronounces the story an outright tragedy, he suspects Juliet of dying over the grief of saying there has never been “a story with losing her cousin Tybalt, Paris is enraged that more woe/Than this of Juliet and her Romeo” Romeo has come here. Paris confronts (5.3.309). Romeo, the two duel and Paris is killed by Romeo. As the two duel, Paris’ page runs away to find the night watch. With his dying breath, Paris asks that Romeo lay him by Juliet’s tomb and Romeo agrees.

After descending into the tomb carrying Paris, Romeo is awestruck by how Juliet still has the appearance of being alive, and vows to spend eternity with her, before kissing her and drinking the poison, ending his life. Just then, Friar Lawrence appears at the churchyard, and after speaking to Balthasar, he descends into the crypt to find Paris and Romeo dead. Juliet awakens to find a panicked Friar Lawrence, who tells her of Paris and Romeo’s death before imploring her to leave with him, as the night watch is approaching. Friar Lawrence flees without Juliet, fearing retribution by the night watch should he stay. Juliet gazes at the body of her husband, 1823 oil painting by Francesco Hayez

3 Juliet: "a play of itself the worst that I Did You Know? have ever heard in my life."

• Many composers, such as Bellini, • The original title for Romeo and Juliet Berlioz, and Tchaikovsky have was "An Excellent conceited Tragedie created musical responses to the of Romeo and Juliet." Romeo and Juliet story.

• 90% of the play is written in verse, • Romeo and Juliet contains six stage with only 10% in prose, or the deaths. Compared to some of ordinary language people use that is Shakespeare’s other tragedies, this is free of poetic meter or rhythmic nothing! Hamlet (8), King Lear (9), pattern. Macbeth (10), and Titus Andronicus (14) all have more. • In 1748, David Garrick staged a version with no mention of Rosaline, • Verona, the setting of Romeo and Romeo’s first love, because Garrick Juliet, was considered the height of felt this made Romeo appear too fashion in Elizabethan England. fickle.

• In March 1662, Mary Saunderson became the first woman to play Juliet professionally. Women were not allowed to act on stage until 1660. Young boys initially played the role of Juliet.

• The musical West Side Story, about two rival street gangs, is a famous adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. The stage musical was later adapted into a 1961 film starring Natalie Wood.

• The narrative poem, "The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet" by Arthur Brooke was published in 1562 and was the first English version of the Romeo and Juliet story. Other versions, including two Italian interpretations, date back to the 1530s. New York City Ballet's production poster of Romeo • Famous English writer, Samuel and Juliet. Pepys, most noted for his diaries chronicling the Great Fire of London, said of a production of Romeo and

13 Romeo and Juliet on Stage and Screen

Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting star as Juliet and Baz Lurhmann’s 1996 film, James McAvoy and Emily Blunt Romeo in Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo + Juliet starred voiced two gnomes in love in 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes as the young lovers. the 2011 animated film Gnomeo & Juliet.

Adapted by the writer of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellows, 2013 Broadway production this 2013 film stars Damian starring Lord of the Rings actor Lewis, Ed Westwick, and Paul Orlando Bloom and Condola Giamatti. Rashad.

14 Marriage in proposal and vowing to be loyal and pure were not the same as what is generally Elizabethan Times thought of in the 21st century. To begin By: Brittany Thomas with, loved ones did indeed give rings to one another, but in a rather different The western world has glorified the manner than today. Not only did woman meaning of love, relationships, and also give rings to their fiancés but also the marriage to make it become one of the ring was used as a moderate wedding gift ultimate spiritual journeys into happiness, between betrothed, not so much as a but this wasn’t always the case. People proposal for lifelong matrimony. In never used to marry for love, or at least, addition, the gift would not be assumed to what we think of as love. In the 15th be a diamond ring as all types of jewelry through the 17th century, two newlyweds was given, including bracelets, gimmel were often lucky to be able to have a rings, and lockets. meaningful friendship before exchanging The meaning behind the wedding vows. Times have surely changed since dress was also rather different than that of the times of Shakespeare and Queen today. Yes, woman wore dresses, but the Elizabeth! wedding dress was of no exceptional What indeed were changing were fashion or color. In general the bride-to-be the traditional understandings of the would “doll-up” an old dress, adding “family unit.” The growth of industry was ribbons or accessories, or she would pushing people out of the countryside and purchase or make a new dress for the into the city. Merchant life and the wedding day. Later, the dress would likely developing aspiration or middle class was be turned into another piece of the young beginning to increasingly take hold in lady’s wardrobe. society. This significantly changed the standard family image. Where as the traditional family married young, had many children, and maintained close relations with extended families, the new wave of families were more condensed. With less property, and more industrial jobs, the families became smaller. On average, a family would have between two to three children. In addition to this, as apprenticeships, or the learning of a trade with a highly skilled craftsman, became popular with both sexes, people began to marry later. This allowed them to establish a trade before having children. Many Why get married? people then began to marry in their mid- to late-20s. The purpose of marriage was to create a new family unit. In the years between the The Ceremony and Customs Jacobean and Elizabethan eras, it would have been considered foolish to marry for In the time of Shakespeare and Queen love. (Though many were optimistic that Elizabeth, marriage did not come with the love may arise.) standard diamond ring and long white Most importantly, when it came to dress. Though these practices were marriage, was the raising of children. It certainly active in this time, the ways of was expected that every woman should

15 bare a child, preferably male. Regardless girls would aide in helping their mothers of sex, the children are the property of the keep-house. parents. Children were expected to treat At this time, the rising middle their mother and father with the same class did find it exceptionally important to respect a servant would bestow on a learn Latin, the language of the elite. For master. parents of any means, they would send When it came to status of the their young boys off to places such as The family and children, this was solely New Kings School where William dependent on the man. A man could Shakespeare was said to have attended. marry down in his social class and the Here boys would study Latin and woman would be able to become a “lady,” fundamental arithmetic. but the opposite would not yield the same Women results. Regardless, many men would prefer Upon entering the marriage, the to marry a woman of a woman immediately became higher social standing or property of her husband. With this within their social class kind of social expectation, some as they would have the woman feared marriage. Still, it right to all their wife’s was expected that all woman assets. became married (usually around Generally, all the mid- to late-20s). Even joining men aim to become the covenant was no longer an married. For the majority acceptable choice for women at of the population of this time. To be unwed was to men, marriage was disgrace their entire family. important for different The only women who were reasons. An unmarried generally given any authority over man would not be able their own lives were widows. to consider himself a Women who had lost a husband head of household. As a result, he would were able to own property and even be unable to run for political office. manage his business. In addition to this, if the woman did not yet bare any children Children before the death of her husband, she was then entitled to all of his estates after the In general, women mattered very little in a bills and taxes were paid. If she did have marriage. Though they were obviously a children with her late husband, she was vital part in creating a family, the status of entitled to 1/3 of his wealth, while the rest the woman depended of her husband, be given to the children. and the focus was put on him and the Still being an unmarried woman, children. even a widow, comes with social stigmas Young boys would reach a rite of and prejudices. She would not likely be passage between the ages of 3 and 7. taken seriously by much of the male Between those ages, boys would go dominated society, and her signature through a “breeching” ceremony where would most likely not be considered they ceremoniously began to fill their role legally binding. It is unfortunately essential as a male, adult figure and not merely a for the woman to wed to secure her child. This is the age where Elizabethan interest, and the interests of her children. children began to learn their societal roles: Otherwise she will likely be taken boys would attend a school and young advantage of.

16 A Bit About Setting intrigue, the perfect setting choice for a romance between two young people such as Romeo and Juliet.

Verona: a town intertwined with memories of Shakespeare. This rustic northern Italian city, having had two of Shakespeare’s works set in it (Romeo & Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona) has a thriving Shakespearean- based tourism industry. A visit to Verona would not be complete without visiting Casa di Giulietta or Juliet’s House, where lovers can stand and gaze upon Juliet’s balcony and post love notes in the courtyard below. Anticipating and adapting to garner similar intrigue, Director David O’Connor has set the play not in the Verona of the past, but in a mysterious city of the future. The magic and passion of such a beloved work proves to be reinvigorated through this setting change, one that promises to engage a new generation of patrons with the same appeal of fervor and mystique that Shakespeare surely felt when choosing his fair Verona as the setting.

Italian culture at the time of Shakespeare was deeply appreciated and romanticized by the English. For Shakespeare, an Italian city such as Verona likely represented a far-away land of uncertainty, passion, and

17 Meet the Cast & Crew

annual competition at Immaculata University, so I stayed quite active in Victoria Rose Bonito - Juliet Shakespeare-focused performances in addition to the normal drama club and musical productions.

What new thing did you learn about the play or your character(s) by being in this production?

I hope to learn more and more about how modern these characters really are. I feel like people often shy away from Shakespeare because of the "classical" nature, assuming that these plays are all about people who speak a different language and cannot relate to anything contemporary. Perhaps Romeo and Juliet are the most obvious exceptions to this Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? assumption. They are impulsive, passionate, smart, and always active; I am Incidentally, Romeo and Juliet! It was the excited to learn how this production first Shakespearean play I read, and I fell "updates" the play in terms of making it in love with the language, the story, and accessible to an equally young, passionate the characters. I have been waiting for audience. the opportunity to play Juliet since seventh grade! Who do you think is responsible for the tragedy of the play? What was your experience like studying Shakespeare as a high school student? This is a difficult question to answer, as the play is laden with references to Fate's I read the classics from eighth grade on-- role in the lovers' untimely ends. In a Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, way, they are doomed from the start, Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer "star-crossed," and inescapably so. Night's Dream, Othello, and The Merchant However, I do not think they passively of Venice--and I was fortunate enough to accept this fate. They are so pressured have incredibly enthusiastic teachers who and restricted by the binaries in their brought the plays to life. They allowed society that they have little control over and encouraged us to play with the anything; we rarely see Juliet material on our feet, with more of an unchaperoned or outside the Capulet acting bent than just a reading focus, and "monument" (whether her family's home that is where Shakespeare lives and or the tomb). In a way, the continuance of breathes. While his poetry is beautiful on the family feud is to blame, as well as the the page, when you hear the words and expectations set for the younger see the action, something magical generations of the families. As a young happens. I also was in an after-school man, Romeo is expected to take a woman Shakespeare Club that performed in an and have a family; as a Montague, he

18 necessarily must oppose (to the point of danger, wit, and first-time flirting. There is death if necessary) all Capulets. Once he something about this moment happening marries Juliet, he cannot fulfill both as if the lovers are alone in the middle of a expected roles, and extreme measures are crowded room that is absolutely necessary because a sensible enchanting. conversation between the households is impossible. The balcony scene, their What do you want students to remember secret marriage, and the hope of a life about this production? together then defies the system that they are not strong enough to battle. So, in a I hope students will consider the themes sense, Romeo and Juliet cause their own in Romeo and Juliet and not let the tragedies by choosing to take their own conversation stop with the lovers' lives--perhaps the last thing they can deaths. Love is real and it's worth it to control--but in a sense, they also escape, fight for what you believe in. You can attaining a sort of cosmic oneness that is control your own destiny. But also talk otherwise unattainable in Verona. about it. Extreme measures are not always the answer, but perhaps changing an How do you think young people today can ancient system is. Live here and now. relate the issues and themes presented in Take a chance. Romeo and Juliet?

The issues and themes revolve around family problems, falling in love for the first time, reconciling friends and romantic relationships, and in short, many things that seems to be amplified in adolescence. Romeo and Juliet are of the age that these challenges are both new and daunting--young people can relate because they may very well be dealing with the same issues right now. Finding voice in opposition to one's parents, fighting for a meaningful relationship, and having the guts to define and redefine love is at the heart of this play and central to these characters' lives. What is to say that the young people in the audience don't feel the same way?

What is your favorite moment in this play?

Textually, I am in love with the "Give me my Romeo/ and when he shall die" speech for its imagery, passion, and candor. I also think the first time Romeo Olivia Hussey as Juliet in Franco Zeffierlli’s and Juliet meet at the Capulet ball is 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. pretty magical. The first set of dialogue they exchange form a sonnet (oh, that crafty Shakespeare!) and it is fueled with as much romantic fervor and poetry as

19 Akeem Davis - Romeo What new thing did you learn about the play or your character(s) by being in this production?

I hope to learn that the language is still alive; that all of the choices that have been made by countless actors (many of whom I have seen on stage and film) have no bearing on what my Romeos will think, say, do, and become.

Who do you think is responsible for the tragedy of the play?

While Romeo kills a man, an action for which he is responsible, the larger tragedy - the loss of Romeo and Juliet along with their romance - falls squarely on the Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? shoulders of Friar Laurence. In my opinion, the Friar enabled these kids to tie No, I don't prefer one Shakespeare over up their families in a wedding knot and another. Though I am OBSESSED with ignored the strife that was boiling up on Othello and Merchant of Venice because both sides. The Friar also - which doesn't of the zealously racist and human way fall in line with his holiness - encouraged both Othello and Shylock are written. I am Juliet and Romeo to lie, to give false really just being introduced to the pretense about their marriage, having Histories and I hope to play both Hal and them hide the information that would have Hotspur one day. halted all of the death that ensues.

What was your experience like studying How do you think young people today can Shakespeare as a high school student? relate the issues and themes presented in Romeo and Juliet? Of course in high school we studied Romeo and Juliet in 9th grade and then I think young people, teenagers Hamlet in 12th grade. My AP Literature specifically, can relate to the tension of class really delved into Hamlet and the opening of the play. I think the hotbed evaluated the play thoroughly so that we of the play is the Hate that the Montagues could write well about it on the AP exam. and Capulets bear for one another. I also We watched the Kenneth Branagh film think that older teenagers are just version and seeing Kate Winslet's work as beginning to understand intense, Ophelia changed the way I viewed the immediate infatuation, which happens material. She was phenomenal. In high between Romeo and Juliet. The catch is school I dealt with a lot of Shakespeare in that teenagers aren't always aware of how my Drama class. I performed a Hamlet to categorize the feelings their hormones soliloquy and auditioned with that for and minds combine to produce. colleges. I played a few roles in "15 Minute Hamlet.” I played Bottom in a What is your favorite moment in this play? scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream and I did a load of sonnets. I have a few moments that I really like! I like the moment between Tybalt and

20 Capulet at the party; I like the moment between Tybalt and Romeo before Tybalt kills Mercutio; I like Romeo's Banished moment.

What do you want student to remember about this production?

I would like students to leave this production feeling shocked about how visceral it was and how clearly they understood us - our action and our verbal action.

Paul Giamatti as Friar Laurence in the 2013 film Romeo and Juliet, adapted by Julian Fellows.

21 J Hernandez - Mercutio despite his penchant for dirty-talk, narcissism, and nihilist tendencies.

Who do you think is responsible for the tragedy of the play?

If Peter knew how to read, no one would end up gettin' themselves perished.

How do you think young people today can relate the issues and themes presented in Romeo and Juliet?

I think young people can relate to the ferocity and the fiery nature of the citizens of Verona. We live in a tumultuous time, some folks still aren't too accepting of others, the word "hate" gets thrown Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? around way too much and that's when good people start dropping like flies. It's a King Lear. The best. shame, but, like I said, this is the world we live in today. Take out the names What was your experience like studying "Capulet" and "Montague" and exchange Shakespeare as a high school student? them with two other (even larger) entities that don't see eye to eye... The Truth be told: we didn't go over a lot of unfortunate thing about it is that you'll Shakespeare in high school, but that's a always have a pair of singular individuals whole other story. No room for it and/or groups who don't get along. w/standardized testing and what not. I was introduced to Romeo and Juliet when I What is your favorite moment in this play? was in junior high, loved every minute of it, watched the Zeffirelli Romeo and Juliet, You even need to ask? "A PLAGUE read the whole text aloud with the entire O'BOTH YOUR HOUSES!" class, had insult games using nothing but classical and renaissance words and What do you want student to remember references. All of us were assigned about this production? personal projects and I made a Romeo and Juliet comic book along with costume What I'd like them to remember (in a renderings. Being introduced to much broader sense) is that the language Shakespeare at such a young age was one is a lot more accessible then they think it of the most rewarding experiences I ever is ... just takes a little use of the ol' context had in all my years of public education. clues.

What new thing did you learn about the play or your character(s) by being in this production?

Mercutio gets himself into trouble for all the right reasons. When you think about it, he has just as much honor as Tybalt,

22 David O’Connor – Director happens in the middle of the night. That makes the scene a lot more dangerous and exciting!

Who do you think is responsible for the tragedy of the play?

Like any problem in the world, the problem is caused by everyone who acts, and everyone who does nothing. Romeo and Juliet make the most bad decisions, and they lie a lot. But they are trying to get out from underneath an oppressive system that does not address their needs. Overall, I would blame the system which subjugates children to their parents. Everyone is doing the best they can with the system handed to them. Most of us Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? succumb to the system. Romeo and Juliet fight it. And get crushed by it. And then Measure for Measure. I am into the the people who are in power feel bad, problem plays. An ineffective liberal ruler shake hands, raise statues. But is hands power to a conservative, everything better after that? authoritarian dictator? Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Fun! How do you think young people today can relate to the issues and themes presented What was your experience like studying in Romeo and Juliet? Shakespeare as a high school student? Here are people who want to find I read Romeo and Juliet in 9th grade. someone special and dive into that Mostly what I remember is watching the relationship and pretend nothing else old movie with the guys in funny pants, exists. And that is awesome. But it can't and seeing Juliet and Romeo mostly last. How can we find balance between unclothed in bed. (Hadn't seen much of that desire to be separate and the need to that in films, yet!) But lots of words I did be part of a community? not understand. What did this have to do with me? What is your favorite moment in this play?

What new thing did you learn about the That is such a hard question! Today, it is play or your character(s) by being in this when Juliet rejects the nurse. This is the production? place where Juliet makes her most pure, intense, and ultimately disastrous I learned tons of new things working on decision. this production. One thing that is sticking out to me right now is the scene where What do you want student to remember Romeo is leaving Juliet after they have about this production? spent the night together. Because of the film version, I have always thought that Romeo and Juliet's courage. scene happened at like 6 in the morning, just after the sun came up. But really, it

23 J.J. Van Name - Nurse Coaching, working on the language with some of the actors during rehearsal.

Who do you think is responsible for the tragedy of the play?

SHAKESPEARE! It is a stunning confluence of the various weaknesses of the human condition in each of the characters involved, and some random universal bad luck.

How do you think young people today can relate to the issues and themes presented in Romeo and Juliet?

How couldn’t they? Instantaneous love and sexual attraction, parental Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? disapproval, teenage rebellion, years of inter-community hatred based on who The Winter’s Tale. Paulina, the most ever really knows exactly what, which is fearless and outspoken female character perpetuated and passed down thru the of The Bard’s, who stands up to anyone generations. who is a force for evil. What is your favorite moment in this play? What was your experience like studying Shakespeare as a high school student? So many. Romeo and Juliet in the early morning, waking from their first night I actually don’t remember, which doesn’t together. speak well for whatever happened in HS with Shakespeare. We certainly didn’t What do you want student to remember have the opportunity of a Shakespeare about this production? Theatre coming to our school to work on plays with us, and going to see I am excited to see what they do productions. I do remember studying and remember…what strikes them most performing it in college (including The deeply, what might possibly change their Nurse in Romeo & Juliet!) and I loved it! thinking. That’s when it all began for me.

What new thing did you learn about the play or your character(s) by being in this production?

Having played this role a couple of times already, I am very excited to work with a new director that I like very much, David O’Connor. We collaborated on Cymbeline in The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre’s Summer training program, The Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Classical Acting Academy. I did the Text Lurhmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

24 During the After the Performance

Performance Now that you have seen the play, A theatrical production depends on here are some questions and much more than just the language of discussion-starters to help you the play to convey the meaning of the reflect on what you have words and the mood of the characters. experienced. Everything you see is a part of a complete visual metaphor that reflects Do you feel more sympathetic the director’s interpretations of the play. towards one character?

As you watch this production, look at the Did you find the violence way the following elements work together believable? to create a specific world in which the characters live. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy Music/Sound: How does the music and and the sad events of the play sound effects contribute to the overall affect many characters. Whose mood of the play and help to set the tone for specific scenes? tragedy is it? Who is ultimately responsible for what happens? Costumes: How do the costumes help to differentiate the characters? How do What motivates the characters to costumes convey status or allegiances? make the choices they make? Stage Movement/Combat: Keep an eye out for the way different characters move. What part does Fate have to Which movements did you notice were used for each role? What about the stage play? combat? Did the fighting look real? How do the characters change, if Language: Notice how the characters at all? speak. Is there a difference in the kind of language they use? Which characters use more formal language? Notice when Does the play have a hero? A characters speak in verse, prose, and villain? If so, who might it be? rhyme.

Visual Images: If you read the play What do you feel Romeo and beforehand, how does seeing it help you Juliet is ultimately about? to understand it better? Were you surprised by anything or did the production cause you to think about the How do you feel that theme play in a different way? relates to today’s world?