William Shakespeare

 

One of the most famous authors in the history of mankind, William Shakespeare’s life is full of questions.  There is a lot of debate as to whether or not he wrote al of his plays.  In fact, there is also a lot of debate as to whether or not he was even a real person.  The mystery surrounding Shakespeare’s true identity may never be solved. Either way, the work is still some of the greatest English language ever written and deserves to be studied.

Most reputable historians would agree that Shakespeare was indeed a single man.  He is most famous for being a playwright, but he was also an accomplished actor and poet.  He is sometimes referred to as ‘the Bard,’ which simply means ‘a tribal poet-singer skilled in composing and reciting verses on heroes and their deeds.’  This is because his work has become the most famous ever written, and his quotes are some of the most widely known in the English language.  Some classic example are:

From Sonnet 18
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date".

From Hamlet
To be, or not to be: that is the question". - (Act III, Scene I).
"This above all: to thine own self be true". - (Act I, Scene III).

From King Richard III
"A horse! a horse! My kingdom for a horse!". - (Act V, Scene IV).

From Romeo and Juliet
"O Romeo, Romeo! Where fore art thou Romeo?". - (Act II, Scene II).
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun" . - (Act II, Scene II).

From King Henry IV, Part I
"He will give the devil his due". - (Act I, Scene II).

Taming of the Shrew
"I’ll not budge an inch". - (Induction, Scene I).

Macbeth
"what 's done is done".- (Act III, Scene II).
"I bear a charmed life". - (Act V, Scene VIII).
"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." - (Act IV, Scene I).

Cymbeline
"The game is up." - (Act III, Scene III).

The true signal of greatness is that many of Shakespeare’s quotes are still being used in normal English conversation, hundreds of years after being written.  In addition, almost every university in the world has studies specifically on his work.  Another sign is the number of movies that have been made based on his work.  Many non-English movies have also been made based on Shakespeare’s plays, including a Japanese samurai movie by Akira Kurosawa, named ‘Ran,’ which is based on ‘King Lear.’ Recreations of Shakespeare’s work continue and will likely continue for a long time.

One of the reasons for Shakespeare’s plays popularity is in the structure.  Most of them contain five acts.  The first Act usually develops the characters, and gives their motivations for the rest of the play.  The climax of the play is usually in Act three, usually containing high action or a significant dramatic effect.  The fifth act usually closes the play, either in happiness or tragedy.  Acts two and four are usually slower and add character depth to the play, usually with a long soliloquy by the main character.  This structure has been used in afterwards in countless plays, movies, and even TV shows.  The reason is simple, it is effective.  The middle of the play is a perfect place for the climax, because the audience then must wait for the final act to complete the story.

Shakespeare is also known for being a master of the blank verse, sometimes called unrhymed iambic pentameter, which is a verse line of ten syllables with five stresses and no rhyme.

  (Romeo and Juliet, 2.2.1)

In this classic quote, every second syllable is pronounced sharply, the others being pronounced softly.  Most of Shakespeare’s dialogues follow this pattern, which in itself is an amazing writing accomplishment.  Add to this the, the climax structure, character development, and style, clearly Shakespeare’s works must be considered amongst the greatest work ever written.

Romeo and Juliet Act-by-Act Summary

Chorus

Act I

Prologue
The prologue sets up the play by introducing us to the characters and giving us the location is Verona.  A chorus introduces the play, telling us that the two big families, the Montague and the Capulet families, are feuding.  During the chorus’ song, we learn that one child from each family fell in love, ran away, and committed suicide.  After losing a child each, the families decide to end the feud.  During the prologue, we hear the famous phrase ‘pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life,’ one of the most famous lines in all of English literature.

Act I Scene I
Sampson and Gregory are in a public place talking about the feuding families.  Abram and Balthazar approach, and the servants start to argue.  Benvolio enters, and the servants start to fight.  Benvolio draws his sword in an attempt to stop them

Seeing this, Tybalt questions Benvolio. After quickly arguing, the two nephews start to fight.

A police man enters and asks them to stop fighting, but is unsuccessful.  Seeing all the commotion, Capulet and Montague enter and want to join the fighting. However, their wives hold them back.  Eventually, Prince Escalus and scolds everyone for fighting, this being the third time.  He declared that any more fighting would lead to serious punishments.  He takes Capulet away, and everyone else leaves except Montague, his Wife, and Benvolio.  Benvolio is asked where Romeo is, and he replies that Romeo had been acting strangely lately.  They ask Benvolio to find out what is wrong and then leave.  Romeo then tells Benvolio that he is sad because he is in love with a woman named Rosaline, but she does not want to commit.

Act I Scene II
Paris is standing on the street.  Paris begs Capulet to let him marry his thirteen year old daughter Juliet. Capulet agrees to let him try.  Capulet then arranges a masked ball, the perfect place for Paris to make his move.  Capulet tells Peter to invite some people to the party

Capulet and Paris leave, and Romeo and Benvolio enter the street.  Peter asks Romeo to read the list for him, because he cannot read.  Romeo notices that Rosaline is on the list. Peter invites them to the party.

 

Act I Scene III
At the Capulet’s house, Lady Capulet talks of Juliet’s childhood.  Juliet is embarrassed but clearly cares a great deal for her mother.  Lady Capulet asks Juliet her feelings towards Paris.  Juliet agrees to give him a chance.

A servant walks in and announces that the guests have started to arrive.

Act I Scene IV
Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio are standing on the street talking.  Although Romeo is going to see Rosaline, he is still depressed.  Romeo is having second thoughts about going to the party.  Mercutio tells them the story of Queen Mab, a fictitious elf that infiltrates men's dreams. They feel better and continue to the party.

Act I Scene V
Romeo is at the Capulet’s house when he sees Juliet. He falls in love immediately.  This scene is where we here Romeo’s famous ‘love at first sight’ speech.

While speaking to a server, Tybalt overhears Romeo.  Before a fight starts, Capulet asks Romeo to leave.  After Tybalt and Capulet leave, Romeo makes his way to Juliet, takes her hand and tells her that she is beautiful.  They exchange compliments and then kiss.  Juliet also feels that Romeo is very handsome and charming.  She is then called away, Asking her nurse to find out more about Romeo.  The nurse then finds Romeo and tells him that Juliet is a Capulet.  Romeo is saddened, but he will not give up easily.  The nurse goes back to Juliet and tells her that Romeo is a Montague. Juliet is devastated because she is in love with her family’s sworn enemy.

Act II

Prologue
The scene begins with the singing chorus once again.  They tell of both Romeo and Juliet’s problems, they are in love but are from families which are enemies.  The chorus then sings that passion will help them overcome the problem.

Act II Scene I
Romeo is standing in a lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard.  He climbs over the wall to see if he can find Juliet.  Benvolio and Mercutio are looking for Romeo, but cannot find him.  They speak of how blind with love Romeo is. 

Act II Scene II
Romeo is in the Capulet’s orchard, underneath Juliet’s balcony.  Romeo then speaks of how beautiful she is, in his famous ‘balcony scene,’ possibly the most famous scene from Shakespeare.

Juliet sighs, and then Romeo continues to tell us how great she is.

Finally she speaks, and she tells us of her love for Romeo.  After hearing this, Romeo announces that he is there, and they talk. She warns him not to break her heart, and Romeo promises that he will not.  She tells him that he wishes that they could be together forever.  Juliet is then called away by her nurse. 

When she comes back, they exchange more sweet talk. Juliet leaves again.

Juliet comes back and they agree to elope. Juliet asks him when and where. Romeo answers at 9 o’clock.  She agrees and they part.

Act II Scene III
Romeo is at Friar Laurence's cell talking with him.  Romeo tells him of Juliet, the new love of his life.  Friar Laurence is surprised, because he thought that Romeo was still in love with Rosaline.  Friar Laurence then warns Romeo of danger to his family that after marrying Juliet.  Romeo promises to be careful.

Act II Scene IV
Benvolio and Mercutio are standing on the street talking about Romeo’s disappearance the previous night.  Romeo enters, and they all exchange witty remarks, basically just men talking nonsense.

Juliet’s nurse and Peter enter looking for Romeo. Benvolio and Mercutio make sexual insults towards the nurse, then leave.  When alone, the nurse tells Romeo that Juliet intends to marry him. Romeo tells the nurse to tell Juliet to meet her at Friar Laurence’s cell later in the afternoon.

Act II Scene V
Juliet is in the Capulet’s orchard, frantically awaiting her nurse’s return.  The nurse refuses to tell Juliet the news, because Juliet is too excited. Eventually, the nurse tells Juliet of Romeo’s plan.

Act II Scene VI
Romeo is frantically waiting for Juliet to arrive.  When she finally does, Friar Laurence takes them to the church.

Act III

Act III Scene I
Benvolio and Mercutio are on a public street talking about how hot weather can provoke them into fighting with the Capulet family. Tybalt enters and is looking to punish Romeo for attending the Capulet party uninvited.

Romeo shows up, and Tybalt challenges him to a fight.  Romeo expresses that he has no hatred for the Capulet family and does not want to fight.  Mercutio becomes offended with Tybalt and draws his sword.  A fight starts, and Mercutio is slain.  Enraged with anger, Romeo challenges Tybalt and then kills him.

A crowd forms around Tybalt’s body.  The Prince arrives and asks who is responsible.  Benvolio explains what happened.  Although not the instigator, the Prince feels that Romeo should be punished.  The Prince banishes Romeo from Verona and promises to put him to death if he returns.

Act III Scene II
Juliet is in the Capulet’s orchard awaiting news from Romeo.  Her nurse returns and tells Juliet what happened, the murder and the banishment.  Juliet asks if Romeo really killed Tybalt, and the nurse confirms.  At first, Juliet is devastated to learn that her husband has killed her cousin. She then suddenly changes her mind and starts to defend Romeo.  Juliet then asks the nurse to find Romeo.

Act III Scene III
Romeo is sitting in Friar Laurence’s cell awaiting the news on what will happen to him. The Friar tells Romeo of his banishment from Verona.  Romeo collapses to the floor crying for his lost Juliet.

The nurse enters promising news from Juliet.  Romeo wants to kill himself, but the nurse the takes his knife away.  Romeo decides to see Juliet one last time, and then flee to Mantua the next day.  The nurse gives Romeo a ring from Juliet, and then departs.

Act III Scene IV
Capulet is in his house talking to his wife.  He decides that Juliet should marry Paris.  Lady Capulet pleads him to talk to Juliet first before making any final decisions. 

Act III Scene V
Romeo and Juliet are in Juliet’s room. After a night of passion they talk about what a glorious experience life is.  The nurse enters and warns them that her mother is coming soon.  They say goodbye and Romeo departs out the balcony.

Juliet is sad when Lady Capulet enters.  Lady Capulet hopes that Juliet will be pleased of hearing about the arranged marriage to Paris, but of course is not. Juliet tells her mother of her love for Romeo and refuses to marry Paris.

Capulet enters and Lady Capulet tells him of Juliet’s refusal. He then orders her to prepare to marry Paris the upcoming Thursday.  Lady Capulet agrees with her husband and offers no support to Juliet and Romeo’s love.  The scene ends with a heartbroken Juliet speaking of her sadness.

Act IV

Act IV Scene I
Paris and Friar Laurence are talking in his cell. Paris tells the Friar of the upcoming wedding.  Friar warns him of marrying an unwilling partner, but Paris gives his reasons why the marriage will succeed.

Juliet enters the cell and is starts talking to Paris. She admits that she loves Romeo, but Paris is convinced that she will soon fall in love with him.  Paris arrogantly explains that she is his now.

The Friar asks to speak to Juliet alone, and Paris leaves. The Friar has a plan to bring Romeo and Juliet together.  He gives her a bottle of fake poison, which will appear to make her look dead but actually only causes a deep sleep.  Juliet will then be placed in the Capulet vault, where Romeo can go and rescue her.  Juliet agrees to the plan and sets off.

Act IV Scene II
Capulet and his wife are at their house discussing the wedding.  Juliet enters and they all discuss the wedding preparations.  She also tells them that she has freed her conscious with confession and is now prepared to go on with the wedding. Of course, this speech is just a cover for her original plan.  Capulet is very excited to hear this.

Act IV Scene III
Juliet is in her room picking clothes for the wedding.  Her mother enters and then Juliet tells them that she wants to sleep by herself.  She tells of her fears of death without her husband.  She adamantly does not want to marry Paris and is willing to kill herself instead.  She leaves a knife beside her in case the potion does not work.  She drinks the poison and falls to the floor.

Act IV Scene IV
Lady Capulet and the nurse are discussing the wedding.  Capulet enters and they all begin to prepare.  The nurse enters and Capulet orders her to wake up Juliet.

Act IV Scene V
The nurse finds Juliet dead in her room.  The nurse calls for Lady Capulet who is horrified with what she sees.  Lady Capulet starts screaming for help.  Capulet enters and he is speechless.

The Friar enters and they all talk about how cruel of a fate this is.  The Friar tells Capulet to inform the others of this news, while he handles Juliet’s body. Capulet changes the band music, from wedding music to funeral.

Act V

Act V Scene I
Romeo is on a street in Mantua, talking to himself about a dream he had in which Juliet had died.  Balthazar enters and tells Romeo that Juliet has committed suicide.  Distraught, Romeo goes to an apothecary and buys some poison.

Act V Scene II
Friar Laurence is in his cell talking to John. John informs him that he could not send the letter due to fear of some kind of disease.  The Friar is very worried because Romeo had no knowledge of the plan.  He writes another letter for Romeo.  He also orders John to get him a crowbar, so he can set Juliet free.

Act V Scene III
Paris is standing in the Capulet’s graveyard mourning the loss of his bride and guarding the tomb. Romeo enters with Balthazar. Of course, Paris has ill words to say to Romeo, and then they fight.

Paris is slain in the battle. Before he dies, Paris asks Romeo to place him next to his bride.  Romeo agrees, opens the tomb, and places Paris inside.

Romeo then starts a very long speech about life and love.  At the end, he kisses Juliet, drinks the poison, and dies.

The Friar arrives just moments too late. He is saddened to see Romeo lying dead on the floor.  Soon after, Juliet wakes up to find Romeo and Paris lying dead next to her.  Unable live with the shame, Juliet picks up Romeo’s dagger and kills herself.  The police arrive and the Friar tells them what happened.  Soon after, the Prince arrives. Balthazar gives him the letter verifying what had just happened.

Soon after, Capulet and Montague arrive.  After seeing what has happened, both sides decide to end the feud.  In honour of their children’s sacrifice, both parents promised to build golden statues in Verona remembering their kids.  The Prince ends the play by saying ‘For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.’