*Romeo and Juliet Webquest

DIRECTIONS: Use the class period to find as much information as you can. There are 19 questions in all. You may write your answers on a separate sheet of paper, or type them in MS Word and print them out. ALL YOUR WORK is due at the end of the period, so use your time wisely. Have fun!

About Shakespeare

Click on this link and answer the following questions (1-7).

• 1. Click on the link to Birth 1564 & Early Years. William Shakespeare was born in what year?

  2. What date do we recognize as his birthday?

  3. What was important about Stratford-upon-Avon in the 16th century? I

  4. Click on the link for 1594 and find the acting companies Shakespeare was associated with in the early days. Name one.

  5. Click on 1599 The Great Globe. What is the probable year that Romeo and Juliet was written? I

  6. Scroll down to the section "Construction of the Globe," and answer these questions:

  7. a. Where did the timbers to build the Globe come from?

  8. b. Who was the carpenter who built the Globe?

  9. c. What was Shakespeare's share as "householder?"

  10. What day and year did Shakespeare die?

  11. Why is this an interesting date?

  12. How old was Shakespeare when he died?

About Marriage

Click on this link and answer the next questions (8-10).

• 1. Romeo & Juliet marry secretly, but because she is trying to escape the arranged marriage to Paris. Read this site about marriage in the Renaissance and answer these questions.

  2. a. Name three marriage and betrothal customs found on this page.

  3. Click on the link for "more wedding customs."

  4. a. What color should the bride's dress be?

  5. b. How is the intention to marry announced? What happens if it is not announced previous to the event?

  6. c. Describe the wedding procession.

  7. d. What is a dowry?

1. How important is a wedding ring to the Elizabethans?

Click on this link and continue (12-13).

A famous line from Romeo and Juliet is when Juliet says, "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"

12. What does "wherefore" mean?

13. What does "stay" mean?

About Theatre in Shakespeare's Time

Click here and then on the link "Actors, Acting, & Audience" and continue (14-18).

14. How many women actors did the company usually feature?

15. Was Shakespeare an actor? What was the term used to refer to actors?

16. How were the seating arrangements for the audience?

17. How did one get a good seat?

18. What would the audience do if they did not like a performance?

Adapted from http://www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/students/hua07/07rgprib/