Of Pentameter & Bear Baiting - Romeo & Juliet Part 1: Crash Course English Literature #2

[@madamBfG]

"They'd be too busy, being pale, and avoiding the rain and eating Shepherd's pie and whatnot." LOL The British Starter Pack. XD

[@ayaachang]

I learned more in this 12-minute video about Romeo and Juliet than in an entire semester focusing on R&J in ninth grade English class.

[@fairlylocaldreamer7917]

I relate lololol

[@Leotique]

I saw many comments about "learned it in 20 min better than 2 years at school..." actually that's not true, it was only possible to understand it so easily here because you already heard it many times at school, so it's not the video that made you learn better but it's the repeating of information you already knew.

[@sunsetooo]

Aya Chang Preach!

[@desertrose0601]

Really? I learned most of this in school. Maybe you just weren't paying attention.

[@lucasperez581]

can you help me

[@shuhaotian8559]

9:31 Shakespeare was also the first to use the expression 'fault in our stars'' in his play Julius Caesar, dont you forget that

[@siobhandestele531]

Shameless self-promotion. This is why I love John Green.

[@edwardliu111]

I know it's an overused joke but the speech bubble with Romeo going "What could POSSIBLY go wrong?" still kills me. Thank you for making me smile and making my day.

[@chasecrawford4173]

Here is a thougth: What if people back then treated Romeo and Juliet in the same fashion that we treat the Twilight series now.

[@ellyhampford1873]

Imagine the fanfictions. I really have no idea how they'd handle that.

[@solilo5011]

Elly Hampford Well, didn't Shakespeare make Romeo and Juliet into a fanfiction, since it had already been written before? So for Bill Shakespeare, it would've been like Fifty Shades of Grey...

[@orestisgeo9759]

yeah, um, no.

[@tessemo]

Chase Crawford that's a possibility

[@Rememberme2305]

Actually, here's a thought (although it's late): teenage lovers in Vietnam had a trend (they still do, but thankfully it's much less common) dated back to the 20s-30s, when Vietnam was still an European colony: they would jump off bridges into cold rivers and drown themselves as a popular act of defiance against their much more conservative parents. Around the same time Vietnam adopted a lot of European more liberal ways of thinking (main influence: the French, as well as their romantic idealisms). We have been beginning to use the Latin alphabet for the first time for around 20 years, newspapers became a new medium, books were being translated, yada yada yada... Based on my historical knowledge and a lot of badly-written and horribly mistaken Vietnamese famous analysations that idolized Romeo and Juliet and their similar act, I'm confident this could be a factual example to your hypothesis

[@Aritul]

9:07-9:23 is pure genius and easily my favorite part of this whole video. I *had never* thought of how Romeo's name disturbed the flow of the iambic pentameter that Shakespeare generally used.

[@Lucols4]

that Hazel and Gus thing was just genius

[@TheVoiceinTheDarkness]

cant wait for the movie it`s out in a month for me!!!:D

[@veronicabourke5304]

RetroNick Watch the Baz Luhrmann version; a modern take on an old classic.

[@khadija7530]

LottietheDemiSexualDemiGod wtf is your username?

[@chansondelapluie]

I'm putting off studying for my Science exam by "studying" for my English exam with CrashCourse. As you do.

[@TheYambo121]

Wow... That's exactly what I'm doing... Creepy!

[@Esen99153]

As am I. I still feel like I am learning thou.

[@FROPDESAI]

Rain Collins One does not simply do crash course during Exams.

[@aq0511]

I'm doing this right now! Tomorrow I have biology test 😆 I am not ready for it but I prefer watching this 🙄

[@KateConstan]

That's exactly what I'm doing four years later.

[@mardoonco.5796]

This is not a romance. This a comedy. Both the play and the video, Good Job!

[@2013Pandorasbox]

As a teacher, I just want to say a massive thank you to John Green for this channel! Great tool for the classroom. :)

[@AndyG94]

An open letter for John Green: Dear John...they are definitively not keeping it PG. Love, TFIOS fans..

[@Drake844221]

Personally, I've always hated R&J as an overrated, overblown, over-romanticized story. I recently came across another interpretation of it that has brought me to re-evaluate the story without all of the hype people heap on top of it. The short version is that... it's about what happens when immature love is interfered with. You mention it being a cautionary tale to children who defy their parents... well, in Shakespeare's version, it becomes a mirror to that... a cautionary tale to parents who would try to halt the natural flow of a young relationship like that. Left to their own devices, and without the external pressure, I give 'em a week or two, maybe a month. Give them the external opposition, and it becomes meant to be without a doubt in the world, and they go to... well, terminal extremes in the pursuit of it.

[@veronicabourke5304]

You have missed Shakespeare's message

[@X_MissMary_X]

It's more than just that their parents interfere: it's that their parents, who are supposed to be the grown-ups, can't be mature enough to stop this feud they don't know why they are fighting. The teenagers act like teenagers. All of the destruction occurs because the adults can't not act like teenagers too.

[@TheCondorjc]

just noticed John wrote the fault in our stars xP

[@daphnecoonan7304]

+TheCondorjc How?

[@soniasok6000]

+Daphne Coonan His name is John Greene, and the author of Fault in our Stars is John Greene :P

[@ayesha6206]

+Sonia Sok Yes this is the same person who wrote Fault in our Stars and not only that but a few other absolutely wondrous books such as Looking for Alaska, Paper towns, Will Grayson Will Grayson, An Abundance of Katherines and Let it Snow

[@madamBfG]

WHOA!! I actually did not know that! Cool! :D

[@minidavid-devdave]

​@@madamBfG You what?! How did you not know... that's impossible. He's written so many books, which are all best-sellers. Paper Towns, Turtles all the way down, Abundance of Catherines... so many. Even John wrote his own.

[@hopingforsunshine]

I learned something interesting my Shakespeare class: the first time Romeo and Juliet talk to each other, their words form a perfect English sonnet. English sonnets have the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg. Below is the dialogue of the first meeting: R: If I profane with my unworthiest hand (a) This holy shrine, the gentler sin is this: (b) My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand (a) To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss (b) J: Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, (c) Which mannerly devotion shows in this. (d) For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, (c) And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. (d) R: Have not saints lips, and holy palmers, too? (e) J: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. (f) R: O then, dear saint let lips do what hand s do: (e) They pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. (f) J: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. (g) R: Then move not while my prayer's effect I take. (g)

[@amandatruscott3934]

Teacher here! I love Crash Course, and using it my English classroom. I wish there was a whole course on Shakespeare! That would be AWESOME!

[@dorothygale9648]

Romeo and Juliette is not a love story. It is a three-day relationship between a thirteen-year-old and an eighteen-year-old that caused six deaths.

[@MultiTequilaSunrise]

So its an MTV reality show?

[@MrJerajera]

Yes, it is a MTV reality show, it fits perfectly

[@veronicabourke5304]

It's also about accepting difference in culture or religion; allowing our children to chose their own partner in life, despite who their parents are or what their politics

[@hot.bowl.of.stew94]

My literature teacher has that poster hanging in class.

[@lexareid1995]

This is the most accurate thing about this play and I recently studied it! Thank you for this!

[@dikshachouhan1351]

I really appreciate the fact that you guys never ask for likes and subs like this is an amazing series..

[@NodakBro]

Just finished the World History series and I'm already hooked on this one! Thank you Crash Course for compensating for my lack of effort in Junior and High School!

[@tiger7210]

So what you're telling me is that Romeo and Juliet is a fanfiction?

[@sadh0e916]

tiger7210 yeah.

[@lpawowp]

@@sadh0e916 I said this in literature class and everyone got up in arms about it.

[@sadh0e916]

Gabriel Reid oh,but Im sure its fundiction,bc i was in Verona on that *balcony* and there was written that they made this place so it will be attraction for *funfiction*

[@diabolicnephilim2659]

basically yeah

[@sadh0e916]

Aaron Grey yup

[@ChickenOfAwesome]

There was only one thing wrong with this video: When John talks about English people 'eating Shepherd's Pie' (5:23) the animation shows a traditional pie (pastry with a filling). Shepherd's pie isn't actually a 'pie' like pork pie or apple pie - its a layer of minced lamb, topped with mashed potato (which is, in turn, sometimes topped with cheese) all baked in a dish. Though, I suppose I can forgive American animators for not knowing this, I felt compelled to point it out because I think the world would be a much better place if more people only knew how to make a good Shepherd's pie.

[@sdjahwefhhais]

thx

[@stroodlepup]

does it taste good?

[@ChickenOfAwesome]

Donn Jeferson Atienza Yes it does. Its basically just meat and mashed potatoes... but better.

[@darbythompson4980]

Yeah I thought that was weird. XD (I am American and I eat shepherd's pie often)

[@Freakschwimmer]

ChickenOfAwesome Or maybe it is a Friends reference. The one where Rachel starts making a traditional sweet pie, but due due stuck pages basically finishes it of with two thirds of a shepard's pie..... Whether this was indended or not by CrashCourse doesn't really matter, for noticing it does give me a richer, more immersive experience.

[@Gingerm0nster]

It’s not “the greatest love story ever” but I believe it’s a fantastic story because it perfectly captures the whirlwind and irrationality of being young and in love for the first time.

[@mercydudley]

To think that I read Shakespeare in university when I could've learned almost everything there is to know about Romeo and Juliet in under 13 minutes!!! Well done John.

[@DaPsychocat]

Every time someone else slams Aristotle's face into the ground, I grow a littler happier.

[@WhaleManMan]

Where do you live where that is a common thing?

[@DaPsychocat]

Fascist Whale The Internet.

[@Classica_1750]

More like John Green adds like 10 more years to live xD

[@giggletushjr]

Aristotle is the greatest philosopher of all time.

[@mattbenz99]

If by that you mean take Aristotle completely out of context, ok good for you. Aristotle didn't say some people were meant to be slaves, he differentiated between what he called "natural slaves" and "slaves of circumstance". A natural slave is basically just someone who is a follower and can't think for themselves. Aristotle thought that natural slaves are people (despite him conceding that there are relatively few of them) who would always end up in a subservient position due to their own decisions. A slave by circumstance is someone who yearns to be free, but is trapped in a form of subjugation due to possibly no fault of their own.

[@GTLugo]

Romeo didn't even know Juliet for 100 hours. Only 1, 2, maybe 3 days.

[@mephostopheles3752]

+Mike Glad I'm not sure you know how rounding works.... there's a difference between rounding 0.72 up to 1 and rounding 72 up to 100.

[@GTLugo]

SeaBiscuit Well, it wouldn't be .72, it would be 72. But even so, it should round up to 80. Saying 100 hours implies over 4 days. The play was only 2-3 days.

[@mineghostN]

+Gabe Lugo actually, if you're rounding at all you would round down to 70

[@GTLugo]

Desertambition True, I had a blonde moment. :P Plus, if you take the average it would be 60 hours, not 70.

[@amandawalker9025]

+Gabe Lugo I think he/she meant if you were rounding by hundreds. If you were rounding by ten, you're right, it WOULD be seventy (sorry brain fart). On the contrary, if he/she were rounding up y hundreds, then yes, he/she would technically be correct.

[@OmniVariant]

My class is starting Romeo and Juliet tomorrow.. BUT IM GLAD I HAVE JOHN GREEN TO WALK ME THROUGH IT!!! :D

[@eliasshammas8401]

And I have a test tmrw

[@OmniVariant]

Good luck!!!

[@TheVoiceinTheDarkness]

EpicBoredPerson im using this as a reason to watch john or hank in english as we have use of the computher room and we`re doing this as our play :)

[@juliafaith8907]

I honestly cannot believe how well he explains Shakespeare. It definitely helps that he's a writer; that makes it easier for him to comprehend everything.

[@MustafaKulle]

That cultural comparison between Italy and England is so true, it's hilarious. Thank you.

[@scienceofseth]

Hey!!! I'm Italian, pale AND I love shepherds pie!!! It can happen...

[@SJ-ic4yr]

Carl DS woah, you live in 🇮🇹 Italy?

[@QueirozNG]

I'm learning English language and French, and your channel help me in my study. I really appreciate your channel and your form to speak. Thank very much from Brazil! 😃😍

[@summertime69]

I have never ever heard someone explain iambic pentameter so well. Why my myriad English teachers over the years never said it like a song-song two year old ill never know.

[@idaliaorozco1777]

Romeo and Juliet, being the classic tale of star crossed lovers is simply a tragedy that could have been avoided. I like the way he describes it and how the world really was back in those days. We associate the play with romance and high quality living, nut in reality it was a tale of faith and simple life.

[@jsgizmo]

"A YOLO endorsement to follow your heart." That one made me laugh.

[@phyliciasantos7075]

Crashcourse, crashcourse! Do Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, or Metamorphosis by Kafka or Little Prince!

[@mynameswhatsername7879]

Yes! Lolita is such a good book! :-)

[@jimmyjim170]

3:26 yeah rooting for the death of a 13-year-old is not the nicest thing to do. Unless their King Joffrey...

[@alistairkillick645]

+Daphne Coonan not even the least bit a slut. She tries to follow her parents' wishes, she fends off Romeo at first, then waits till she's legally married. When parents arrange her to marry Paris, she'd rather die than commit bigamy (even tho Nurse suggests it). Brave, loyal, impetuous, not a slut.

[@harrietmilton8397]

Agreed

[@sayoriutsugj2856]

When i first started watching you i had no clue that you wrote the fault in our stars, i just liked how you taught and thought you were good at it. Now, what i thought was impossible, happened. I gained even more respect for you.

[@minimooster7258]

John, I've been reading Moliere in French, and it has changed a lot. Half the words are given definitions in foot notes.

[@lordTitou]

+minimooster Not so much when you actually speak French but for sure there are some changes. But French language is kinda more stable than English comparing Moliere's language to today's language, and the same thing about Shakespearian language and modern English

[@juanpablomina1346]

What are you reading? I've read _L'Avare_ et _Dom Juan ou le festin de pierre_ and it wasn't that bad. Sure, it's not modern French, but I had by far a harder time reading _Romeo and Juliet_.

[@Loremastrful]

Promoting "Fault in Our Stars"? I'll allow it. Always toot your own horn because no one else will.

[@thinkiamsad]

Rahsaan Footman toot

[@chrisjenkins963]

Thank you for giving him permission. Where would we be without you?

[@joy4229]

One of the ways I relate to R&J is how in my teenage, I got easily swayed by temporary emotions and passions. And oftentimes failed to see how my actions and decisions effect others.

[@hannahtuck7144]

My English class recently started studying Romeo and Juliet. I might show this to my teacher, see if she'll use it in class!

[@justins7796]

10/10 would choose the bear fighting the dogs

[@Sickkities]

apparently not u could've google bears fighting dogs but ur watching a video about romeo and juliet instead

[@carampavankumarmelam1811]

It's nice to listen from John Green himself.

[@Rinku588]

…I totally didn't know John was the author of A Fault in Our Stars I'm not sure how to feel about that

[@linusmlgtips2123]

Rinku588 agreed

[@joy4229]

I guess we all have complete choice on how we feel.

[@LlwtyDeer]

John, have you found alaska yet? (subtle book refrence is subtle

[@nextsatridol27]

Currently, my Lit class is reading an abridged version of Romeo and Juliet. We are also reading "King if Shadows", a book that goes along with this time period. From the background notes and both books and Martha's second episode on Doctor Who, I still learned more with this episode of Crash Course than two months of Ms. Eldridge's class!!! I love the show!

[@sophiasardi6386]

*Hazel and Augustus appear inside the secret compartment* me: screams 😍😭

[@zenahali9005]

Sophia Sardi

[@JeweledOwl812]

Little Hazel and Augustus are too cute for words

[@TheCobrasDen1]

you give me the ability to talk about subject i know very little about like I've been studying them for years. For this Sir, I thank you

[@jorgeferdenav]

7:04 John Green was not wearing shoes today.

[@LilacT]

My English teacher and I request a video on The Scottish Play..pretty please (:

[@coconutcrispy83]

If my high school teachers were as passionate and relevant as this guy then not only would I have payed closer attention but I would have a better understanding of literature, humanity, and life. We should really hold a higher standard for the people we entrust with the education of our youth.

[@TheRachaelLefler]

I love me some hot-blooded Mediterranean and Catholic stories... "romantic" got it's name for a reason. :)

[@veronicabourke5304]

And all the lotharios out there are really Romeos

[@chin70]

Doing this in English. My teacher also uses the example emPHAsis and syllAble

[@mariaelenaybarra1825]

I really liked this video. I felt it was vey helpful in information that I did not already know. I thought the most interesting fact was that William Shakespeare did not write the play Romeo and Juliet, but he just merely changed a few things. I did not understand when john green said that this play is not just a love story, but it is also a political story.

[@MoonlitHistory]

1:10 - 1:35 You can see John's face turn to red through expressing the intense feels.

[@crypto727]

Can you guys please bring back crash course literature

[@WeAllLeanToTheLeft]

So, in my freshman year of high school, we had to read Romeo and Juliet. We had the worst possible English teacher that year, and all he did to "teach" us about the play was to show us scenes of the movie remake of the stroy. Yeah, we didn't even watch the entire movie, just bits and pieces. So I'm happy I found these videos, because I love English and literature and want to know about these classics. Thanks Crash Course!

[@stevenchoza6391]

Past John just couldn't stay away, could he? XD

[@alwinpriven2400]

I have been to Verona and saw that place, it has alot of wall writing

[@katepotter5042]

Wow! Very lucky:))

[@alwinpriven2400]

Kate Potter what's so lucky? lucky was last Friday, It was snowing for the first time since 1950! (It was wet snow)

[@katepotter5042]

haha I just really want to go to Verona! That is great that it was snowing for a change! Hope it was beautiful we don't get snow here:(

[@alwinpriven2400]

Kate Potter were do you live?

[@katepotter5042]

I live in New Zealand! What about you?

[@amymcgreevy9857]

All I have to say is that you ARE of Shakespearean quality! I love your videos and will absolutely use them with my students. I learned more here than in my ap English in high school!

[@MrJonyish]

2:16 a fault in our stars reference

[@balag12gaming]

I spotted that to

[@MrJonyish]

sweet :3

[@scoobydookp]

It's funny how the fault in our stars only became famous this year but the reference was from 2 years ago

[@scoobydookp]

***** People are so lazy these days. Honestly I read the book before watching the movie. And I'm not saying that all people just watched the movie but I know a very big majority that did that.

[@nicolasdefreitas8509]

Kateryna Ponomarenko hey at least people are reading the book

[@ChickenWilickers]

lmao, love the captions

[@saber0moon]

I actually learned a lot from this video. For instance, I never knew that there was an abundance of source material on which Romeo and Juliet was based. I remember hating this play when I read it in high school, but I feel like that was as much the fault of my educator as it was mine. Thank you, John.

[@TheRachaelLefler]

"No, at the end of the night you lean in to kiss her and.. no."

[@bgiuliano68]

Replacing curse words with authors was the best decision ever

[@aleezajehangir178]

OMG! I've read the Fault in Our Stars a hundred times. And I've watched John Green's videos for a long, long time. Yet I never realized that John was the author!!

[@potatoe3675]

I HAVE AN EXAM ON THIS THANKU

[@FROPDESAI]

Po Tatoe Should I call you potato or potatoh?

[@michaelwolfe7970]

Highly trained... English... people.... Yep, that pretty much sums it up

[@elizarosepevensie2349]

The actress and literary geek in me loves that you referenced the Scottish Play!

[@tanyay1073]

Romeo and Juliet are like Anna and Hans from Frozen... 1 night together and they wanna marry 😒

[@excellentcollins]

Well, they had 2 days together

[@diibadaa9502]

or any other Disney couple. How many of Them really knew each other more than a weekend. Beauty and the beast notwithstanding.

[@mcd_238]

Turn on english subtitles and go to 0:55

[@crisxseldainishikawa]

hahah no wonder Disney hasn't coopted R&J yet. :D

[@jadeclare2288]

Hahaha well spotted :D

[@darshanshah378]

OfficialPlayer1 look at 1:37 until the end of the intro

[@FROPDESAI]

OfficialPlayer1 YAY! I FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT FELL DOWN FROM THE TOP! It was a purse! Probably Meredith The Intern's purse (And yes, I know that she isn't a intern anymore).

[@mcd_238]

lol!

[@beadandylion]

my english teacher showed this in my class after l told him about it. Needless to say it was the best english class of the year!!!!!

[@andyt1313]

SPOILERS: He gives away the whole R&J plot!

[@seankenny08]

The story is hundreds of years old, if someone actually cares about spoilers for this they need help.

[@Epicosity780]

+andyt1313 If you dont know the basic plot of Romeo and Juliet, you need to read more.

[@oldchan4092]

Hmmm, I am pretty sure that the OP was a joking, but oh well.

[@kelseabeasley6286]

My favorite author is J.K.Rowling

[@janissarkisian]

Shes cool, but I've recently lost respect for her? Mine is Rick Riordan.

[@cruise2954]

onceuponapotterhead7 y did you lose respect for her?

[@nataliegerdano6028]

If Hank and John where my teachers I would A) would NEVER had hated math/science and B) Hated leaving school and not being able to talk and share different things with them! Thank you Hank and John for making school and learning fun!

[@akosijackie]

9:58 looks like the club penguin theatre. Who remembers club penguin?!

[@acebellawilde3506]

I almost flipped the table when I went back and looked lol

[@antoniaawkward]

Hi...my names Antonia just wanted to let you know....

[@kenllacer]

OMG, that is so yesterday. Like Golden Age _yesterday_. Love it!

[@ethans4055]

+toni M um... ok

[@apollostarwars1342]

I know this was made in 2012 but I finally got to Romeo and Juliet in my semester and I'm so glad that all the videos are out. 😂

[@ConradJD777]

6:33 or Robin Williams...

[@carlsagan1377]

Plot Twist: *The Fault In Our Stars is set an a Lilliputian, tiny-humaned universe*

[@saragoop]

I love crash course!!! I totally support it! Please keep doing these videos. I love all of them!

[@bananaana1860]

this is how I study for a test/quiz because I'm too lazy to actually read the book

[@asiabauer9611]

Is this The John Green? Like Turtles All The Way Down and Finding Alaska, John Green?

[@gkwcreations8070]

Yep 😊😇

[@BYTLover]

The first 1 minute and 40 seconds of this video basically sum up my attitude towards the whole "Greatest love story of all time" thing.

[@josesoares2705]

Who is here after been lockdown at home because of the COVID-19?

[@CosmosFan1]

Antonia done effed up

[@rbshell123]

And just like that John succeed where many other teachers have failed. I finally understand stressed and unstressed.

[@haydenmott9249]

english 9 where u at

[@jaydresden3634]

Kurt Vonnegut!!

[@Pokezach1000]

Dear God. He speaks so well the captions are actually correct.

[@McZoth]

If somebody from Crash Course reads this, the spanish subtitles have a lot of faults, someone should fix it.

[@McZoth]

I meant ortography/sintaxys faults, if that make sense

[@McZoth]

Sorry, english is not my mother lenguage.

[@parth488]

at least you should give a spoiler alert.

[@annieohhhhyes]

More plays! As a theatre major, I love this. You could honestly do a whole series just on Shakespeare.

[@jessiewang5410]

WHY WOULD YOU BRING UP HAZEL AND GUS WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO US FANGIRLS.

[@AlearPaste]

WHERE IS THE FAULT IN OUR STAR REFERENCE?

[@rapidkai51423]

2:15

[@Bunny-qm9ns]

wow remember when the fault in our stars first came out no one was interested and as soon as it got trending people we're dying for it. LITERALLY . but john seriously you are so talented its so amazing and also oh my goodness what even "i'm going to leave you in there but keep it 'PG' ?!?!?"

[@andrewjackbond9921]

Wait, your the author of "The Fault in Our Stars"...

[@tlamminh3133]

+Light Crystal did you not read the authors name? I already knew John wrote it, also he wrote Paper Towns.

[@jaasimjiffry9018]

anyone here came here coz teacher gave link to this video?

[@SamtheSlushy]

so my 9th grade english class just finished reading this play so i decided to watch this and OF COURSE he makes a TFIOS mention and now I'm suffering from so many feels curse me and my love for the greens

[@keesharamos4136]

i need a practice when talking english..arghh!!you know why?coz im not good at talking english,look at my sentence,see!its not a good grammar

[@Anndrei02]

ingrish desu sudoku?

[@keesharamos4136]

what do u mean?

[@gunnaryoung]

you're doing well so far!