Romeo and Juliet context

• What new directions did plays take by the fourteenth century?

  Power struggle and revenge dramas
• What mixture of styles is evident in many plays by the fourteenth century?

  A mixture of power struggle and revenge dramas
• Which playwright is mentioned as a Veronese playwright?

  Shakespeare
• What major themes does Romeo and Juliet tackle?

  Love, hate, and social issues
• Who enjoyed the plays during the fourteenth century?

  A wider section of society
• What was a key point in understanding the plays' audience?

  The grounds provided great views and comfort
• Who performed all roles in the plays?

  Only men
• Why was it essential for actors to consider their personae?

  To make the audience believe what they witnessed
• What was the dominant religion during the time of Romeo and Juliet?

  Catholicism
• What significant change occurred in England under Henry VIII?

  England became a Protestant nation
• How were women viewed in the context of family and honour?

  Women had no power in feudal households
• What was common for wealthy families regarding their children?

  Children were often paired in childhood
• What do puns in the drama reveal about the audience?

  It shows a wide level and sort of audience
• How do puns contribute to Shakespeare's plays?

  Puns connect themes and structures of relationships
• When was Romeo and Juliet written?

  Approximately 1595
• What commonality did England share with fourteenth-century Italy?

  Both faced the bubonic plague
• How did the bubonic plague impact Shakespeare's play?

  Its impact is felt throughout the play
• What figures reflect fourteenth-century views of God and Fortune?

  Quintus Petrous and other figures
• What supernatural beliefs influenced human events during the feudal period?

  Astrology and the supernatural
• What does Juliet's remark "star-crossed" signify?

  Her doomed fate
• How were women expected to behave in the context of family honour?

  Women were expected to be sensible
• What does Lady Montague represent in the play?

  Women who felt silenced by men
• How does Lady Montague's character provide insight into women's roles?

  She shows the damage of being bound
• What marked both societies during the Elizabethan era?

  Romance, violence, and intrigue
• How did Shakespeare influence the nature of romance in society?

  His works created entertainment suited to tastes
• What are the key themes and elements in Romeo and Juliet?

  • Love and hate
  • Social issues
  • Family honour
  • Male aggression
  • The role of women
  • The impact of astrology
  • The influence of religion
  • The interplay of romance and tragedy
• What societal changes influenced the context of Romeo and Juliet?

  • Transition from Catholicism to Protestantism
  • The impact of the bubonic plague
  • The role of astrology in daily life
  • The expectations of women in society
  • The power dynamics within families