SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

PREPARATION WORK : SHAKESPEARE'S BIOGRAPHY AND WORK

Answer these questions about Shakespeare, then report to the class.
1) First, give information about theatre practise in the Elizabethan era. Was it really developed ?
Where were plays performed ? Who supported artistic creation ? Who could go onstage ?
English Renaissance theatre, also known as early modern English theatre, or (commonly) as
Elizabethan theatre, refers to the theatre of England between 1562 and 1642.
This is the style of the plays of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson.
It is considered to be the most brilliant period in the history of English theatre. A lot of plays were
written at that time. Artistic creation was made possible by the Queen and her strong political
regime, which supported theatre companies, the building of permanent theatres, especially around
London, and by the writing of plays intended both for the aristocracy and ordinary people.
Before 1576 there was no proper theatre in London. So, before this date theatre was not much
developed. The inner courtyards of inns were used to present plays. A small platform was placed
outside the stables at one end of the court. The spectators either stood in the court or sat on benches
on the balconies above the yard.
Elizabethan theatre derived from several sources. A crucial source was the mystery plays that were
part of religious festivals in England and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. The
mystery plays were based on biblical stories, originally performed in churches. Other sources
include the morality plays evoking the vices and the virtues of man, the Commedia dell'arte and the
elaborate masques frequently presented at court.
The local government of London was generally hostile to public performances, but its hostility was
overmatched by the Queen's taste for plays and the Privy Council's support. Theatres sprang up in
suburbs accessible to city inhabitants but not directly controlled by the London corporation. The
companies claimed that their public performances were rehearsals for the frequent performances
before the Queen.
The Elizabethan Theatre became a big business. People loved theatre. The Elizabethan plays and
theatres were as popular as the movies and cinemas of the early 20th century. Vast amounts of
money could be made. The inn-keepers increased their profits by allowing plays to be shown on
temporary stages erected in the yards of their inns (inn-yards). Soon, playhouses and great open
theatres were built for that purpose.
The stage on which Elizabethan plays were performed was essentially a platform surrounded on
three sides by the audience, only the rear being open for entrances, exits, and seating for musicians
to accompany the frequent songs. Theatres built especially for plays had an upper level which could
be used as a balcony, as in Romeo and Juliet, or as a position for an actor to harangue a crowd as in
Julius Caesar.
One distinctive feature of the companies was that they included only males. Female parts were
played by adolescent boys in women's costume. It was considered as immoral for a woman to go
onstage.
2) When was Shakespeare born ? Where ?

Though no birth records exist, church records indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptized at
Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this, it is believed he was
born on or near April 23, 1564, and this is the date scholars acknowledge as William Shakespeare's
birthday.
3) When did he die ?
He died on 23rd April 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
4) What period of Britain's history did he belong to ?
He lived during the Elizabethan era, therefore during britain's Golden Age.
5) Where was he most probably educated ?
Most biographers agree that Shakespeare was probably educated at the King's New School in
Stratford, about a quarter-mile from his home. Grammar schools varied in quality during the
Elizabethan era, but grammar school programmes were largely similar, the basic Latin text was
standardised by royal decree, and the school certainly provided an intensive education in grammar
based upon Latin classical authors.
6) Give information about his family life.
At the age of 18, Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway. She was pregnant when
they got married because six months after the wedding Anne gave birth to a daughter, Susanna,
baptised 26th May 1583.The twins, his son Hamnet and his daughter Judith, followed almost two
years later and were baptised 2nd February 1585. Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11
and was buried 11th August 1596.
7) Give information about the beginning of his artistic career (the differents jobs he had).
Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner
of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
8) When did he write most of his plays ?
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were
mainly comedies and history plays and these works remain regarded as some the best work
produced in these genres even today. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including
Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English
language. In his last phase, he wrote romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of his plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime.
9) What kind of plays did he write ?
Shakespeare's works including some collaborations, consist in about 38 plays. He wrote comedies,
history plays and tragedies. But he also wrote sonnets and long narrative poems.
His early plays were mainly comedies and histories and these works remain regarded as some the
best work produced in these genres even today. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608,
including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the

English language. In his last phase, he wrote romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.
Here is a list of some of his comedies :
All's Well That Ends Well
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Cymbeline
Measure for Measure
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Winter's Tale
His tragedies :
Antony and Cleopatra
Hamlet
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
and his history plays :
Henry IV, Part I
Henry IV, Part II
Henry V
Henry VI, Part I
Henry VI, Part II
Henry VI, Part III
Henry VIII
King John
Richard II
Richard III
10) Why is he famous ?
He is famous because he is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the
world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon".
His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than
those of any other playwright. Many of his plays are considered some of the finest works in the
English language.
11) Here is a list of famous quotes by shakespeare. Say from which play they are extracted (give the
titles of the plays both in English and in French), then give a French translation for each one of
them.

- To be or not to be, that is the question : tre ou ne pas tre, telle est la question (Hamlet)
- All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players : Le monde entier est un
thtre, et les hommes et les femmes ne sont que des acteurs. (As You Like It Comme il vous
plaira)
- A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse ! : Un cheval ! Un cheval ! Mon royaume pour un
cheval ! (Richard III)
- O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo ? : Romo ! Romo ! pourquoi es-tu Romo ?
(Romeo and Juliet Romo et Juliette)
- What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. : Qu'y
a t-il dans un nom ? Ce que nous appelons une rose embaumerait autant sous un autre nom. (Romeo
and Juliet Romo et Juliette)
- Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be
morrow. : Bonne nuit ! La sparation est un si doux chagrin que je vais dire bonne nuit jusqu'
demain. (Romeo and Juliet Romo et Juliette)
- Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall. : L'un s'lve par le pch, l'autre tombe par la vertu.
(Measure for Measure Mesure pour mesure)
- What 's done is done : Ce qu'on a fait est fait (Macbeth)
- Fair is foul, and foul is fair. : Le beau est affreux et l'affreux est beau. (Macbeth)
- All that glisters (= glitters) is not gold : Tout ce qui brille n'est pas or. (The Merchant of Venice
Le Marchand de Venise)

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

PREPARATION WORK : SHAKESPEARE'S BIOGRAPHY AND WORK
Answer these questions about Shakespeare, then report to the class.
1) First, give information about theatre practise in the Elizabethan era. Was it really developed ?
Where were plays performed ? Who supported artistic creation ? Who could go onstage ?

2) When was Shakespeare born ? Where ?

3) When did he die ?

4) What period of Britain's history did he belong to ?

5) Where was he most probably educated ?

6) Give information about his family life.

7) Give information about the beginning of his artistic career (the differents jobs he had).

8) When did he write most of his plays ?

9) What kind of plays did he write ?

10) Why is he famous ?

11) Here is a list of famous quotes by shakespeare. Say from which play they are extracted (give the
titles of the plays both in English and in French), then give a French translation for each one of
them.
- To be or not to be, that is the question :
- All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players :
- A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse !
- O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo ? :
- What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
- Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be
morrow.
- Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.
- What 's done is done
- Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
- All that glisters (= glitters) is not gold

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

INFORMATION ABOUT SHAKESPEARE'S LIFE AND ELIZABETHAN
THEATRE
First, here is some information about theatre practise in the Elizabethan era :
English Renaissance theatre, also known as early modern English theatre, or (commonly) as
Elizabethan theatre, refers to the theatre of England between 1562 and 1642.
This is the style of the plays of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson.
It is considered to be the most brilliant period in the history of English theatre. A lot of plays were
written at that time. Artistic creation was made possible by the Queen and her strong political
regime, which supported theatre companies, the building of permanent theatres, especially around
London, and by the writing of plays intended both for the aristocracy and ordinary people.
Before 1576 there was no proper theatre in London. So, before this date theatre was not much
developed. The inner courtyards of inns were used to present plays. A small platform was placed
outside the stables at one end of the court. The spectators either stood in the court or sat on benches
on the balconies above the yard.
Elizabethan theatre derived from several sources. A crucial source was the mystery plays that were
part of religious festivals in England and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. The
mystery plays were based on biblical stories, originally performed in churches. Other sources
include the morality plays evoking the vices and the virtues of man, the Commedia dell'arte and the
elaborate masques frequently presented at court.
The local government of London was generally hostile to public performances, but its hostility was
thwarted by the Queen's taste for plays and the Privy Council's support. Theatres sprang up in
suburbs accessible to city inhabitants but not directly controlled by the London corporation. The
companies claimed that their public performances were rehearsals for the frequent performances
before the Queen.
The Elizabethan Theatre became a big business. People loved theatre. The Elizabethan plays and
theatres were as popular as the movies and cinemas of the early 20th century. Vast amounts of
money could be made. The inn-keepers increased their profits by allowing plays to be shown on
temporary stages erected in the yards of their inns (inn-yards). Soon, playhouses and great open
theatres were built for that purpose.
The stage on which Elizabethan plays were performed was essentially a platform surrounded on
three sides by the audience, only the rear being open for entrances, exits, and seating for musicians
to accompany the frequent songs. Theatres built especially for plays had an upper level which could
be used as a balcony, as in Romeo and Juliet, or as a position for an actor to harangue a crowd as in
Julius Caesar.
One distinctive feature of the companies was that they included only males. Female parts were
played by adolescent boys in women's costume. It was considered as immoral for a woman to go
onstage.

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

INFORMATION ABOUT SHAKESPEARE'S LIFE AND ELIZABETHAN
THEATRE
Now, here is some information about Shakespeare's life.
Though no birth records exist, church records indicate that a William Shakespeare was baptized at
Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564. From this, it is believed he was
born on or near April 23, 1564, and this is the date scholars acknowledge as William Shakespeare's
birthday. He lived during the Elizabethan era, therefore during britain's Golden Age.
Most biographers agree that Shakespeare was probably educated at the King's New School in
Stratford, about a quarter-mile from his home. Grammar schools varied in quality during the
Elizabethan era, but grammar school programmes were largely similar, the basic Latin text was
standardised by royal decree, and the school certainly provided an intensive education in grammar
based upon Latin classical authors.
At the age of 18, Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway. She was pregnant when
they got married because six months after the wedding Anne gave birth to a daughter, Susanna,
baptised on 26th May 1583. The twins, his son Hamnet and his daughter Judith, followed almost
two years later and were baptised on 2nd February 1585. Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age
of 11 and was buried on 11th August 1596.
Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner
of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were
mainly comedies and history plays and these works remain regarded as some the best work
produced in these genres even today. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including
Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English
language. In his last phase, he wrote romances, and collaborated with other playwrights. Many of
his plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime.
Shakespeare's works including some collaborations, consist in about 38 plays. He wrote comedies,
history plays and tragedies. But he also wrote sonnets and long narrative poems.
Here is a list of some of his comedies :
All's Well That Ends Well
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Cymbeline
Measure for Measure
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Winter's Tale

His tragedies :
Antony and Cleopatra
Hamlet
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
Othello
Romeo and Juliet
and his history plays :
Henry IV, Part I
Henry IV, Part II
Henry V
Henry VI, Part I
Henry VI, Part II
Henry VI, Part III
Henry VIII
King John
Richard II
Richard III
Shakespeare died on 23rd April 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Still today, he is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His plays
have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of
any other playwright.

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
The langage which Shakespeare used in his plays in somewhat different from modern English.
Here is a list of some words extracted from Romeo and Juliet. Match these words with their modern
English equivalent.
Shakespearian English

Modern English

maid
yonder
thou (subject)
art
'tis
doth
ay
o'er
wherefore
thy
wilt
but
thyself
thee (complement)
henceforth
hither
camest
kinsmen
o'erperch
alack
thine
foundst
wert
knowest
fain (would)
dost
ay me
swearst
mayst
ere
overheardst
ware
hath
th'
didst
anon
meanest
hist
What o'clock
morrow
hence
nay

young girl
there
you
are
it is
does
yes
over
why
your
will
only
yourself
you
from now on
here
came
relatives
climb over
alas
your
found
were
know
with pleasure
do
alas
swear
may
before
overheard (surprendre)
aware
has
the
did
later, in a few minutes
mean
shhhh !
what time
tomorrow
from here
no

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
The langage which Shakespeare used in his plays in somewhat different from modern English.
Here is a list of some words extracted from Romeo and Juliet. Match these words with their modern
English equivalent.
Shakespearian English
maid
yonder
thou (subject)
art
'tis
doth
ay
o'er
wherefore
thy
wilt
but
thyself
thee (complement)
henceforth
hither
camest
kinsmen
o'erperch
alack
thine
foundst
wert
knowest
fain (would)
dost
ay me
swearst
mayst
ere
overheardst
ware
hath
th'
didst
anon
meanest
hist
What o'clock
morrow
hence
nay

Modern English

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
Here is the list of the corresponding modern English words :
yourself, here, came, climb over, alas (X 2), overheard, from here, what time, later (in a few
minutes), did, your, you (subject), you (complement), young girl, there, from now on, does, over,
yes, no, think, do, with pleasure, shhh!, found, know, mean, tomorrow, before, aware, the, are,
relatives, only, why, it is, will, were, swear, has, may

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
Here is the list of the corresponding modern English words :
yourself, here, came, climb over, alas (X 2), overheard, from here, what time, later (in a few
minutes), did, your, you (subject), you (complement), young girl, there, from now on, does, over,
yes, no, think, do, with pleasure, shhh!, found, know, mean, tomorrow, before, aware, the, are,
relatives, only, why, it is, will, were, swear, has, may

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
Here is the list of the corresponding modern English words :
yourself, here, came, climb over, alas (X 2), overheard, from here, what time, later (in a few
minutes), did, your, you (subject), you (complement), young girl, there, from now on, does, over,
yes, no, think, do, with pleasure, shhh!, found, know, mean, tomorrow, before, aware, the, are,
relatives, only, why, it is, will, were, swear, has, may

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

Shakespearian langage
Here is the list of the corresponding modern English words :
yourself, here, came, climb over, alas (X 2), overheard, from here, what time, later (in a few
minutes), did, your, you (subject), you (complement), young girl, there, from now on, does, over,
yes, no, think, do, with pleasure, shhh!, found, know, mean, tomorrow, before, aware, the, are,
relatives, only, why, it is, will, were, swear, has, may