
Biography on the life of William Shakespeare
Background on the Globe Theatre
Romeo and Juliet - the origins of the story
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Summary Act 1
Summary Act 2
Summary Act 3
Summary Act 4
Summary Act 5
Prologue
Act 1 Scene 1
Act 1 Scene 1 Part 1 translation
Act 1 Scene 1 Part 2
Act 1 Scene 1 Part 2 translation
Act 1 Scene 2: Montague's invitation to a ball
Act 1 Scene 2 translation
Act 1 Scene 3: Juliet informed of Paris's interest in marrying her
Act 1 Scene 3 translation
Act 1 Scene 4: The Montague party on their way to gate-crash the Capulet party
Act 1 Scene 4 translation
Act 1 Scene 5: Romeo and Juliet meet - love at first sight
Act 1 Scene 5 translation
Act 2 prologue and translation
Act 2 Scene 1: Benvolio and Mercutio searching for Romeo
Act 2 Scene 1 translation
Act 2 Scene 2 Balcony scene
Act 2 Scene 2 translation
Act 2 Scene 3: Romeo asks Friar Laurence to marry him and Juliet
Act 2 Scene 3 translation
Act 2 Scene 4: The Nurse finds Romeo to make sure of the wedding arrangements.
Act 2 Scene 4 translation
Act 2 Scene 5 Nurse relaying wedding arrangements to Juliet
Act 2 Scene 5 translation
Romeo and Juliet meet at Friar Laurence's cell
Act 2 Scene 6 translation
Mercutio and Tybalt are killed
Act 3 Scene 1 translation
Juliet hears of Tybalt's death and Romeo's banishment.
Act 3 Scene 2 translation
Romeo learns he has been banished.
Act 3 Scene 3 translation
Capulet arranges Juliet's wedding to Paris to take place within a few days.
Act 3 Scene 4 translation
Romeo and Juliet consummate their marriage.
Act 3 Scene 5 translation
Friar Laurence gives Juliet the medicine to induce a death-like coma.
Act 4 Scene 1 translation
Arrangements for Juliet's marriage to Paris
Act 4 Scene 2 translation
Juliet drinks the potion.
Act 4 Scene 3 translation
Wedding arrangements
Act 4 Scene 4 translation
Juliet found 'dead'.
Act 4 Scene 5 translation
Romeo is in Mantua and learns that Juliet has 'died'.
Act 5 Scene 1 translation
Friar Laurence hears that Romeo never received the message about Juliet's fake death.
Act 5 Scene 2 translation
Suicide of Romeo and Juliet
Act 5 Scene 3 translation
Analysis Act 1
Analysis Act 2
Analysis Act 3
Analysis Act 4
Analysis Act 5
Romeo
Juliet
Nurse
Friar Laurence
Tybalt
Mercutio
Benvolio
Love as a theme in Romeo and Juliet
How much of the action is driven by hatred?
Compare the attitudes of older and younger people in the play.
How much are the characters driven by passion or by reason?
Consider how much reality is displayed versus reality.
Compare the individuals versus society - who displays individuality?
There is a stark contrast in light and dark. Discuss.
How to construct a literature essay
Sample essay
Sample essay
Exam question
In this course, there is an audio version of the play, along with the script. Translations into modern English, summaries of the various acts, as well as an analysis form part of the reading section. Furthermore, there is a comprehensive discussion on the various themes and events. The historical background on William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet is also provided.
Worksheets with typical examination questions are attached and the memoranda are provided. You will also find instructions on the literary essay, as well as essays on the different themes, such as Love and Violence and how these are conjoined.
Students will also find some tips on how to deal with almost any question set on the play.
Actors and film-makers will find that this course will give them a deeper insight into the motives of the various characters, as character sketches are provided.
In all, these lectures are a valuable support to any student of Shakespearian plays, in particular, Romeo and Juliet.
The course presenter is an experienced teacher, with over thirty years' worth of educational experience. Susan Allin has taught in various schools across South Africa and in Botswana, as well as at a college in Johannesburg.
Currently she is running her own school, creating online courses (haha) and practising art on a professional level. She also arranges art exhibitions and is exhibiting in galleries.