Protagonists are in conflict with an overpowering force (love vs. feud of
the families)
Both protagonists are tragic heroes (high status, sympathetic, their fatal
flaws contribute to inevitable downfall)
5 part-structure:
1) Exposition - Initial Accident
2) Rising Action - Growth in the Tension
3) Climax - High Point of the Action
4) Falling Action - Plot begins to unravel
5) Denouement - Ending/Resolution to the Drama
Key Terms
Hamartia
A fatal flaw - leading to the downfall of a tragic
hero
Hubris
Exalted pride of the protagonist - leads to their defiance of
authority
Peripeteia
A sudden negative reversal of fortune/change in
circumstance - leading to downfall
Structure
Contrast
Scenes often contrast strongly with the one
that follows them - highlights the theme of
conflict
Timeframe
The play begins on a Sunday and ends before
daybreak on the following Thursday - creates a
rapid pace of action
Events in the present are results of events
from the past - 'from ancient grudge break
to new mutiny'
The Friar offers constant reminders for events
to slow down ' Wisely and slow. They stumble
that run fast' - accelerating the pace of action
therefore increases sense of urgency and
inevitability
Foreshadowing
Romeo and Juliet's downfall is hinted at
throughout the play - increasing suspense
for the audience
Dramatic
Irony
Some things are revealed to the audience before the
characters - increases tension
Juxtaposition
The placement of 2 ideas/statements/events
near each other to invite
comparison/contrast
Moments of light vs. moments of shade
Scenes of hectic confusion are
placed next to quieter,
intimate love scenes - makes
dramatic contrast
Eg. Capulet's feast (A1S5) alongside
R+J's declaration of love (A2S1) OR R+J's
wedding (A2S6) next to the street brawl
(A3S1) and followed by Juliet's speech
while waiting for Romeo, unaware of
the pervious violence (A3S2)
Creates dramatic tension and
makes tragic events more
compelling to watch
Blank Verse/Prose
Dialogue is presented as blank verse -
a type of poetry that does not rhyme,
but has a pattern of 10 syllables per
line
Creates rhythm
Higher status characters speak in blank verse, lower
status characters speak in ordinary prose (sounds like
natural dialogue)
Soliloquy
A speech that a character makes alone on the stage
- presents a deeper insight into the characters/
shows character's innermost thoughts/feelings at
key moments
Symbolism
Light
Juliet's beauty, overwhelming
power of R+J's love, hope, optimism
Darkness
The secrecy of R+J's love,
impending/inevitable death
Poison
In the power of human
hands/human will to extract the
potential evil/fatal harm from an
object/thing