Overview
This lecture covers the main events, characters, and themes of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on its plot, key moments, and tragic resolution.
Major Characters
- The play centers on Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, members of rival families in Verona.
- Key supporting characters include Mercutio, Benvolio, Tybalt, Nurse, Friar Lawrence, Paris, and Prince Escalus.
- The Montagues and Capulets are two noble households engaged in a violent feud.
Plot Summary
- Romeo and Juliet meet at a Capulet feast and instantly fall in love, unaware of their families' rivalry.
- With Friar Lawrence’s help, they secretly marry, hoping to end the feud through love.
- Tybalt kills Mercutio; Romeo avenges his friend by killing Tybalt and is banished from Verona.
- Juliet’s parents arrange her marriage to Paris, not knowing she is already wed to Romeo.
- Friar Lawrence devises a plan: Juliet fakes her death to escape with Romeo.
- The message explaining the plan to Romeo is undelivered; he believes Juliet is truly dead.
- Romeo buys poison, goes to Juliet’s tomb, kills Paris in a duel, and drinks the poison beside Juliet.
- Juliet awakens, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself with his dagger.
- The deaths of Romeo and Juliet lead to the reconciliation of their feuding families.
Key Themes and Motifs
- The destructive nature of family feuds and hatred.
- The impulsiveness and intensity of youthful love.
- Fate and miscommunication as forces driving tragedy.
- The contrast of light and dark imagery throughout the play.
- Individual desires versus social expectations.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Star-crossed lovers — a phrase describing lovers whose relationship is doomed by external forces.
- Exile — forced removal from one’s home; Romeo is banished from Verona.
- Friar — a member of a religious order who aids Romeo and Juliet’s secret union.
- Betrothal — formal engagement to be married.
- Potion — a liquid Juliet takes to appear dead temporarily.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main plot events and character motivations for each act.
- Study key quotations illustrating major themes.
- Prepare for discussion or essay on the consequences of miscommunication and fate in the play.