BACKROUND NOTES

These flashcards cover key concepts, events, characters, and themes from Shakespeare's life and works, particularly focusing on Romeo and Juliet.

Who was Shakespeare married to?

Anna Hathaway, who was 26 when he was 18.

What significant event occurred in London in 1592?

The Plague came to London, spreading quickly due to overcrowding.

What was the Globe?

The Globe was the most important theater to Shakespeare, built in 1596 and held 2-3,000 people.

What is the oldest version of the story of Romeo and Juliet?

The oldest version is in Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, featuring Pyramus and Thisbe.

What were the three types of romantic love depicted in Romeo and Juliet?

Infatuation, proper and conventional love, and overwhelming passion.

What is a key theme of Romeo and Juliet related to fate?

The tragedy is a result of fate, with the plot made up of coincidences.

What role did music play in Romeo and Juliet?

Plays included songs and sound flourishes; has inspired composers like Berlioz and Tchaikovsky.

What does the family feud represent in the play?

The family feud is the basis for the plot and illustrates generational conflicts.

How is time represented in Romeo and Juliet?

The action occurs quickly in less than a week, and is affected by the time of day.

What type of language is used in Romeo and Juliet?

The play uses bawdry, puns, unrhymed iambic pentameter, blank verse, and prose.