Romeo+and+Juliet

= = PROLOGUE ** 1. Who speaks the Prologue? ** The chorus. ** 2 **** . What is the purpose of the Prologue? ** To give the audience an idea of what will happen in the play. ** 3. In what poetic form is this Prologue? ** It is in the form of a sonnet. ** 4. Highlight lines 5 and 6. Explain the importance of these two lines. ** It explains how Romeo and Juliet will take their lives at the end of the story. ** 5. Why does Shakespeare tell us how the story is going to end? ** To put a tragedy atmosphere over the play no matter how happy it seems. ** 6. What themes are established in the Prologue? ** Death, Fate and Destiny

** ACT 1 SCENE 1 **

** 1. How does Shakespeare start the play so that he gains the attention of the “groundlings?” ** There is a huge fight which was bound to catch the attention of the groundlings, who were right in front of the stage.

** 2. Highlight lines 58-59. Our first introduction to Benvolio comes when he says these words. What do they reveal about his character? ** It reveals that Benvolio does not like the violence that is happening in his town and he is taking action to prevent it.

** 3. Highlight lines 64-65. Our first impression of Tybalt occurs in these lines. What do we learn about his character? ** We learn that Tybalt hates the word "peace" just as much as he hates the Montagues, this shows how much he thrives for violence.

** 4. Highlight lines 90-91. What is the tone of the Prince’s speech? In these lines he makes a new decree. What is it, and why is it important? ** He threatens the town and says if they are to fight again, they would be executed.

** 5. When we first see Romeo he shows all the signs of a Petrarchan Lover—someone who is in love with the idea of being in love. How does Romeo act (lines 125-136)? ** Because he had been crying about his last girlfriend who wouldn't love him back. ** 6. When describing his feelings to Benvolio, Romeo uses Oxymorons—pairs of contradictory words in lines 170-177 and 184-188. Why does he speak in contradictions and paradoxes? ** To show how confused he is with the whole situation.

** 7. We then learn that Romeo is suffering from Unrequited Love—He loves someone who does not love him back. What suggestion does Benvolio make to Romeo to help him get over is unrequited love for Rosaline (lines 221-223)? ** He mentions to Romeo that ther is "plenty of fish in the sea", which means that there is more to pick from than just Rosaline.

** ACT 1 SCENE 2 **

** 1. In this scene Lord Capulet talks to Paris about marrying his daughter Juliet. What two reasons does he give for not wanting Juliet to marry at this time (lines 8-14)? ** She is still only 14, he wants to wait until she is older and he only wants them to marry if Juliet loves Paris back.

** 2. Highlight line 16-19. On what condition will Lord Capulet agree to Juliet’s marriage with Paris? ** Lord Capulet will only let Paris marry Juliet if she loves him back.

** 3. What does this reveal about Lord Capulet’s love for his daughter? ** It shows that Lord Capulet shows more love for his daughter than most upper class fathers during that period of time. Most fathers would force their daughters to marry a wealthy man while underaged.

** 4. From the servant who cannot read we learn that Rosaline, with whom Romeo believes he is in love, will be at the Capulet party. Why does this excite Benvolio? What is his plan (lines 84-89)? ** To get Romeo to go to the party to see that there are others that are more beautiful than Rosaline.

** 5. Highlight lines 86-89. Explain Benvolio’s analogy: ** For Romeo to go to the party and see that there are other beautiful girls other than Rosaline.

** 6. Why does Romeo agree to go to the party (lines 102-103)? ** Because Rosaline is there.

** 7. What coincidence takes place in this scene? Explain what theme is being developed. ** Romeo would meet with Juliet.

** ACT 1 SCENE 3 ** ** In this scene Lady Capulet is informing Juliet and her nurse of Count Paris’ proposal of marriage. ** ** 1. What is the nurse’s relationship with Juliet? ** The nurse had raised her since she was born.

** 2. How would you describe the nurse’s personality? Loud, obnoxious and has no sense manners while in public. ** ** 3. Highlight lines 62-63. What is the nurse’s one wish for Juliet and why? ** She wants to live to see Juliet get married.

** 4. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about being married, what is Juliet’s answer (line 67), and what does it reveal about her character? ** She had never thought about it, but she would consider

** 5. The nurse and Lady Capulet are both excited and pleased by Paris’ proposal but for different reasons. ** ** The nurse says Paris is “a man of wax” and at the end of the scene encourages Juliet to “Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.” What does the nurse see in Paris, and what does it reveal about her attitude toward love and marriage? ** The nurse thinks Paris is a good looking man, and a good match for Juliet. ** 6. Lady Capulet’s lines 82-95 compose a conceit. A conceit is an extended, exaggerated comparison or metaphor between two unlike things—in this case, between Paris and a book that needs to be bound. What does Lady Capulet see in Paris that would make him a good match for Juliet? What is Lady Capulet’s attitude toward love and marriage? ** Lady Capulet believes in marriage for pride.

** 7. Highlight lines 98-100. Explain Juliet’s answer to her mother when asked if she can love Paris. What does it reveal about her knowledge of being in love? What is her attitude toward love and marriage? ** Juliet cannot marry Paris for the sake of love, but only for the sake of her mother's wishes.

** ACT 1 SCENE 4 **

** 1. Highlight lines 106-111. Why does Romeo feel uneasy about going to the party? What dream-like premonition has he had? ** Romeo had a dream that everything goes wrong in a situation similar to his, this is foreshadowing for later events.

** 2. Comment on this speech in terms of the Elizabethan attitude toward the stars and astrology. ** They thought that the stars told fate and destiny.

** 3. What decision does Romeo make in lines 112-113, and what is the thematic importance of this decision? ** Romeo chooses to go to the party, ignoring his premonition.

** ACT 1 SCENE 5 **

** 1. We learn from Romeo’s soliloquy (a speech delivered while the speaker is alone, calculated to inform the audience of what is passing in the character’s mind) that he is struck by love at first sight when he sees Juliet at the party. Paraphrase Rome’s speech (lines 43-53). To what does he compare Juliet? ** Jewelery O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. ** 2. How does this speech about his love for Juliet compare to his speeches about being in love with Rosaline? ** He says that they are both the most beautiful things he has ever seen.

** 3. Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and tries to start a fight. What two reasons does Lord Capulet give for stopping him (lines 65-69)? ** Lord Capulet believes that Romeo is a good person and does not want Tybalt to cause a scene at his party.

** 4. Highlight lines 90-91. What threat does Tybalt make as he agrees to withdraw? ** That he would fight him another time.

** 5. In lines 92-105 Romeo and Juliet speak to each other. Their lines form a sonnet. Paraphrase the lines of the sonnet. ** **ROMEO** If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss. Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss. Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too? Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray — grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake. Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
 * JULIET**
 * ROMEO**
 * JULIET**
 * ROMEO**
 * JULIET**
 * ROMEO**

** 6. Dramatic Irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not. What is ironic about Juliet’s line 134? ** Juliet finally found her true love, but she did not realize that they were from opposing families.

=** ACT 2 SCENE 2 **= ** 1. Juliet is on the balcony outside her bedroom but cannot hear the words that Romeo says to himself as he looks at her from the hiding place below. Answer the following questions about lines 2-25:

a. Romeo repeats the light and dark images he introduced when he saw Juliet for the first time. Why does Romeo compare Juliet to the sun? Romeo compares Juliet to the sun because she represents the reason he is alive, and without her he would be nothing. ** He is saying that she is the center of the univierse. b. Why does he want the sun to kill the envious moon? ** Because the moon is jealous of the sun. **

c. Why is the moon envious? ** Because it is jealous of the sun, and it is not as beautiful.

Romeo compares Juliet's eyes to the stars, because they sparkled and shined.**
 * d. Why does he compare Juliet’s eyes to the stars? **

e. Why is this comparison to stars another example of foreshadowing? ** It is referring to the prologue when it said that "two star crossed lovers would die" **

2. Highlight lines 33-36. Juliet is still unaware that Romeo is nearby. Paraphrase these lines. ** Romeo, my love where are you? I'll ignore our families feuds and rather be in love and i'll be a montague, not a capulet.

It is my family name that is the problem because Romeo is a montague What is the point? Its just a family name Why do I love Romeo, if he is in this family So is Romeo if he were not a Montague But, he is perfection and I will take his family name, for him. 4. After Juliet asks some pertinent questions (lines 58-84), she realizes that Romeo has overheard her intimate thoughts about him. How does her attitude change in lines 85-105? What is she worried about? ** At first Juliet is worried that Romeo could be pretending to love her so he could take advantage of her, but later she realizes that he is true to his word 5. Why does Juliet object to Romeo’s swearing on the moon (lines 109-111)? ** Because the moon comes with the night and the sun comes with the day. 6. Juliet speaks of her fears in lines 116-119. Explain. ** She is afraid that Romeo might try to take advantage of her. 7. Paraphrase lines 142-148. ** What a fantastic night, I am so happy It feels like a dream Too good to be true
 * 3. Highlight lines 43-44. Paraphrase lines 38-49. What is Juliet’s attitude toward the feud that has separated the two families? **

= ACT 2 SCENE 3 = The bright morning has come and has banished the dark night The sun is rising, behind the eastern clouds and is banishing darkness As the day goes by, pulled by the titans wheels He is advancing the sun. The day begins and the nights dew is evaporating I must fill up this basket With Poisonous weeds and Fruits What dies, returns in life once again She looks after us and her strange animals We take her healing powers from the plants Oh how great it is All plants, herbs, stones and their hidden qualities Nothing is too vile that lives on earth But the earth gifts us everything has a healing quality Starts from birth, it finds abuse Good will turns bad if misapplied and sometimes the evil is dignified even inside the petal of this small flower It has Poisson yet Medical qualities For this being used with gives us good Tasting it lets all senses feel it Good and evil live in them too In man as well as herbs
 * 1. Friar Laurence is introduced in a lengthy soliloquy in which he philosophies about nature and about mankind. Paraphrase his speech (lines 7-30).**

He tells him about Juliet wanting to marry him.
 * 2. What does Romeo tell Friar Laurence, and what does he want from the Friar (lines 43-64)?**

He gets angry with Romeo for switching to another girl to fast.
 * 3. What is Friar Laurence’s reaction to hearing of Romeo’s new love (lines 65-80)?**

He hopes that it will bring the to conflicting families together.
 * 4. Highlight lines 89-92. What reason does Friar Laurence give for agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet?**

= ACT 2 SCENE 4 =


 * 1. This scene shows us more of the nurse’s character as she trades quips and puns with Mercutio. What** **malapropisms (an inappropriateness of speech resulting from the use of one word for another which resembles it****)** **does the nurse use (line 115)?** She says confidence instead of conference.

He asks the nurse to tell Juliet that he wants to get married.
 * 2. What message does Romeo urge the nurse to give to Juliet (lines 163-166)?**

** ACT 3 SCENE 1 **

So Tybalt could find out where Romeo is to fight him.
 * 1. Why do you think Tybalt approaches Mercutio and Benvolio and wants a “word” with one of them (line 36)?**

Because he has nothing against Mercutio, he wants to fight Romeo only.
 * 2. Mercutio tries to provoke Tybalt to fight (lines 37-38). Why doesn’t Tybalt want to fight him (line 53)?**

Romeo had just married Juliet that morning. Tybalt is related to juliet, therefor Tybalt is Romeo's kin and Romeo does not want to fight family.
 * 3. After Tybalt insults Romeo, Romeo responds with lines 59-62. Explain his lines. What is the “reason” Romeo has for ignoring the insult?**

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee Doth much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting: villain am I none; Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me no Tybalt thinks thawt Romeo is being sarcastic and mocking him.
 * 4. Highlight lines 65-69. Explain the meaning of the lines and the dramatic irony of the situation.**

**5. Why does Romeo’s answer to Tybalt’s insults upset Mercutio? What does he think Romeo is doing (line 70)? Mercutio thinks that Romeo is taunting Tybalt with sarcasm, when Romeo actually means what he is saying.

6. Romeo tries to stop Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting by reasoning with them (lines 82-85). Paraphrase what he says.** Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath Forbidden bandying in Verona streets: Mercutio says that he would "be a grave man" the next day, meaning both sad and deceased.
 * 7. Even when he is dying, Mercutio continues to joke and to make puns. Explain the pun he makes in lines 92-99.

8. Highlight lines 102-103. Mercutio repeats the following line (106) three times and then adds the next line. Explain what he means: “A plague O’ both your houses! They have made worm’s meat of me.” Mercutio is saying that the ancient conflict between the two families has caused his death and they should be shameful.

9. What does Romeo mean when he says lines 119-120?** He is saying that Tybalt must die for killing Mercutio.


 * 10. After Mercutio dies, why does Romeo decide to kill Tybalt instead of accepting Mercutio’s death as an unfortunate accident?** Because Romeo is so blinded by rage he does not think.

That he would determine whether Tybalt dies or not.
 * 11. Highlight line 132. What does Romeo mean?**


 * 12. Highlight lines 176-177. What reasoning does Lady Capulet use in begging the Prince for vengeance for Tybalt’s death?** She explains how loyal Tybalt was to the family and begs for justice.


 * 13. Highlight lines 180-183. What is Lord Montagues’ reasoning in his attempt to persuade the Prince not to kill Romeo for killing Tybalt?** He mentions how Tybalt would have been sent to death penalty if Romeo had not killed him first.

He banishes Romeo from Verona.
 * 14. What is the Prince’s decree, and what are the reasons he gives for making it (lines 182-185)?**

= ACT 3 SCENE 2 = Juliet thinks that Romeo had been killed.
 * 1. In lines 37-68 the nurse confuses Juliet as she tells Juliet of the fight. What misconception does Juliet make?**


 * 2. Highlight line 73. When Juliet receives news of Tybalt’s death, what is her first reaction?** She is angry at Romeo, but states that it would take a thousand Tybalt's deaths to match the value of Romeo.

She gets mad at the nurse for talking about her husband in such a way.
 * 3. Highlight Juliet’s lines 90-92. When the nurse agrees with Juliet, Juliet has a different reaction to Romeo’s killing of Tybalt. Explain.**

The nurse leaves to go and find Romeo.
 * 4. How does the scene end?**

= ACT 3 SCENE 3 =
 * 1. Highlight line 12. What is Romeo’s reaction when he learns that he has been banished?** He cries and is extremely angry.


 * 2. From the beginning of the play, Romeo acts impulsively. In what way is he still impulsive in this scene (lines 102-108)?** He grabs a knife and attempts to cut his name out of himself.

He should be thankful that he did not get the death penalty and he is still alive.
 * 3. Friar Laurence tells Romeo to count his blessings. What are they (line 135-140)?**

To meet Romeo outside of Verona
 * 4. Explain Friar Laurence’s plan (lines 146-154).**

= =

= ACT 3 SCENE 5 = **Questions begin with Lady Capulet’s entrance, line 68.

1. Lady Capulet misunderstands Juliet’s sadness, and Juliet does not want her to know what has happened between Romeo and Juliet. What does Juliet say about Tybalt and Romeo to keep the truth from her mother (lines 67-102)? Juliet pretends that she is actually crying about Tybalt's death, when actually she is crying about Romeo being gone. She does this to prevent her mother from knowing that she cares about him.

2. What is Juliet’s response when she is told the news that she is to marry Paris (lines 116-123)? How has she changed since Act 1? She reacted hostile towards the news and asks if they can delay the marriage.

3. What is her mother’s reaction to Juliet’s response (line 124 and lines 139-140)? Lady Capulet reacts angrily towards Juliet's response and seeks her husband to go and convince her to go through with the wedding.

4. Highlight lines 190-194. What is Lord Capulet’s response to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris?** He becomes extremely angry and threatens to throw her out on the street if she does not obey.

The Nurse suggests that Juliet should marry Paris because she believes that she is the perfect match.
 * 5. What does the Nurse advise Juliet to do (lines 212-225)? What is her reasoning?

6. After the Nurse leaves and Juliet is alone, what does Juliet decide to do (lines 240-243)?** She decides to go to the friar for advice on what to do.

ACT IV SCENE 1
> Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it. > If, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help, > Do thou but call my resolution wise, > And with this knife I'll help it presently. > God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands; > And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seal'd, > Shall be the label to another deed, > Or my true heart with treacherous revolt > Turn to another, this shall slay them both. > Therefore, out of thy long-experienced time, > Give me some present counsel, or, behold, > 'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife > Shall play the umpire, arbitrating that > Which the commission of thy years and art > Could to no issue of true honor bring. > Be not so long to speak; I long to die, > If what thou speak'st speak not of remedy
 * 1) **Why is Paris visiting Friar Laurence?** He is worried about Juliet and the marriage
 * 2) **Juliet tells Friar Laurence what she will do if the wedding to Paris cannot be avoided. Paraphrase lines 50-67.** Tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this,
 * 1) **Highlight lines 68-70. Paraphrase lines 68-76. The Friar says he has thought of a way out, but what would it require?** He plans to give Juliet a sleeping potion to fool everyone into thinking that she is dead. This would require Juliet to agree to his plan.
 * 2) **What is Juliet’s answer to the Friar in her effort to convince him that she will do anything to avoid the marriage with Paris (lines 76-88)?** Juliet agrees to go through with the Friar's plan.
 * 3) **Summarize Friar Laurence’s plan as described in lines 89-120.** He wants to give Juliet a sleeping potion to fool the town into thinking she is dead, therefor canceling the wedding and decreasing her identity

**ACT 5 SCENE 1

1. What premonition does Romeo have at the beginning of this scene (lines 1-11)?** He dreams that Juliet finds him dead.

Balthazar tells Romeo that Juliet has died. She was not actually dead, it was all part of the friar's plan to get Juliet out of Verona.
 * 2. What news does Balthasar bring? How does this disrupt the Friar’s plan?**

He wants to commit suicide aside Juliet so they would be together for eternity.
 * 3. What does Romeo decide to do after he hears Balthasar’s story (lines 34-57)?**

= ACT 5 SCENE 2 =
 * 1. What story does Friar John tell Friar Laurence as explanation as to why he could not deliver the letter to Romeo?** He could not get a messenger.

= ACT 5 SCENE 3 = Romeo thinks that Juliet still looked as beautiful as she did while she was alive, the irony is the fact that she is alive and just sleeping.
 * 1. Highlight lines 91-96. What does Romeo notice about Juliet? Explain the dramatic irony.

//"Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty: Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there."//

2. Highlight line 167. What does Juliet realize about the situation?** She realizes that Romeo had poisoned himself and died.

Yea, noise? Then I'll be brief. O happy dagger! This is thy sheath; there rust, and let me die. She is talking to the dagger as if it is her friends and welcomes it. She calls herself the dagger's sheath, basically saying that the dagger is destined to kill her.
 * 3. Highlight lines 169-170. Explain the lines.**