William Shakespeare was born in the town Stratford-upon-Avon in the center of England and was baptized in April 1564. He moved to London in 1592 to become part of the theatre scene.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the Globe Theatre, and Shakespeare himself acted in some of his plays.
Romeo & Juliet:
In the prologue of Romeo & Juliet, how does Shakespeare let you know the tragic ending of the story right at the very beginning? Shakespeare uses the prologue, delivered by a Chorus, to inform the audience that the play is about "two households, both alike in dignity" whose "fatal loins" give rise to "star-cross'd lovers" who take their lives, thereby foreshadowing the tragic ending.
What is the Prince's decree after breaking up the fight between the Montagues and Capulets? Why is this important? The Prince decrees that any further breach of the peace between the Montagues and Capulets will result in death. This is important as it sets the stakes for the feud and underscores the tension in Verona, highlighting how the conflict impacts the entire community.
When we first meet Romeo, what kind of mood is he in? What is the reason for his mood? When we first meet Romeo, he is melancholic and lovesick. He is infatuated with a woman named Rosaline, who does not return his affections, leaving him heartbroken.
Why does Romeo desire to attend the Capulet party? Romeo desires to attend the Capulet party to see Rosaline, hoping to win her affection, even though it is a gathering of their family's enemies.
How could Montagues Romeo and Benvolio go to the Capulet’s party when their families are enemies? Romeo and Benvolio can go to the Capulet party because they are not officially invited but decide to go in disguise so as not to be recognized, thus allowing them to circumvent the social restrictions imposed by their families' feud.
How does Juliet respond to her mother's suggestion of marriage to Paris? Juliet responds to her mother's suggestion of marriage to Paris with reluctance. She says that she is not interested in marriage at this time, indicating that she has not given it much thought and only considers it if it makes her mother happy.
What does Juliet's attitude towards marriage tell us about her character? Juliet's initial attitude towards marriage reveals that she is young, innocent, and somewhat naive. She values her own feelings and choices, which suggests she is not entirely conformist, as she seems to prioritize her own desires over societal expectations. This sets the stage for her later, more passionate and rebellious choices.