Shakespeare Webquest
English I
Objective:
Students will understand and identify the historical context of Shakespeare's life, the lifestyles of citizens of England, and role of theater in the Elizabethan Era. Students will also identify dramatic terms as they relate to Romeo and Juliet.
The Life and Times of Williams Shakespeare
England during the Elizabethan Era: Use the link for questions #10-12
"The Globe" in London, England
Queen Elizabeth
Attire of the Elizabethan Era
Women in England: Questions #17-18
Literary Terms and Concepts of Drama: Questions #25-55.
Stage Directions: instructions included in a drama to describe how the work is to be performed on stage including the set, lighting, sound effects, appearance, personalities, and movements of characters, not spoken aloud.
Act: one of the main divisions of a play or opera.
Scene: a division of an act in a play during which the actin takes place in a single location with a break in time.
Blank Verse: Much of Romeo and Juliet is written in blank verse which is unrhymed iambic pentameter with 10 syllables in per line and every syllable is stressed.
Prose: ordinary writing that is not song or song; only lower class character speak this way in Shakespeare's plays.
Shakespearean Tragedy: Drama where the character suffers great misfortune usually resulting from a tragic flaw, fate, or a combination of the two.
Comedy: Literary work with a joyful ending, usually with ordinary characters in conflict with society. Romantic comedies feature problems among lovers and comedy of manners satirically challenges the social customs of a sophisticated society.
Dramatic Foil: a character that shows off the qualities and characteristics of another character. "Romeo and Juliet" example: Benvolio for Tybalt
Monologue: one person speaking onstage while other characters are onstage too. "Romeo and Juliet" example: the Prince of Verona commanding the Capulets and Montagues to cease feuding.
Soliloquy: long speech expressing the thoughts of a character ALONE onstage.
Aside: words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters.
Direct Address: words that tell the reader who is being addressed. "Romeo and Juliet" example: "A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit."
Dialogue: conversation between characters that reveals their traits and advances the action.
Comic Relief: Use of comedy within literature that is not a comedy to provide relief from the seriousness or sadness.
Anticlimax: a turning point that is a letdown; the conflict may not be resolved or the ending may not please the audience.
Tragic Flaw: a weakness or flaw in a hero or heroine that eventually causes his or her downfall.
Oxymoron: a combination of words that are contradictory of each other. Example: "Bittersweet"