Setting, Character, and Theme in Romeo and Juliet

Setting, Character, and Theme in Romeo and Juliet

What Is Setting? • Setting is WHERE and WHEN the drama takes place. • What is our setting?

– 2010 – Roswell, Georgia, USA

Setting in Romeo and Juliet • Setting = TIME and • •

PLACE 14th or 15th Century (1300s or 1400s) Verona and Mantua, Italy

What Is a Character? • Characters are the people in a story or play. • Another word for the main character is the protagonist. • Who do you think are the protagonists in Romeo and Juliet?

• Characters can be static or dynamic – Static characters stay the same – Dynamic characters change

• The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero – Generally good people – Tragic flaw leads to downfall

Characters in Romeo and Juliet Montagues

Capulets

Romeo Mercutio Benvolio Lord and Lady Montague

Juliet Upper Class Feuding*

Tybalt Nurse Lord and Lady Capulet

What is Theme? • Theme is the “big idea” in a piece of

literature • What the author is really trying to say about people and life • Themes in Romeo and Juliet: – The power of love – Obedience to parents – The danger of violence

Verona, Italy

Juliet

Romeo