Setting, Character, and Theme
in Romeo and Juliet
What Is Setting?
• Setting is WHERE and WHEN the drama
takes place.
• What is our setting?
– 2010
– Roswell, Georgia, USA
Setting in Romeo and Juliet
• Setting = TIME and
•
•
PLACE
14th or 15th Century
(1300s or 1400s)
Verona and Mantua,
Italy
What Is a Character?
• Characters are the people in a story or play.
• Another word for the main character is the protagonist.
• Who do you think are the protagonists in Romeo and
Juliet?
• Characters can be static or dynamic
– Static characters stay the same
– Dynamic characters change
• The protagonist of a tragedy is the tragic hero
– Generally good people
– Tragic flaw leads to downfall
Characters in Romeo and Juliet
Montagues
Capulets
Romeo
Mercutio
Benvolio
Lord and Lady
Montague
Juliet
Upper Class
Feuding*
Tybalt
Nurse
Lord and
Lady Capulet
What is Theme?
• Theme is the “big idea” in a piece of
literature
• What the author is really trying to say
about people and life
• Themes in Romeo and Juliet:
– The power of love
– Obedience to parents
– The danger of violence
Verona, Italy
Juliet
Romeo