| In which town is the play set? In what country do you suppose this town exists? | The town is Verona. The country is Italy. |
| Complete this sentence: In Shakespearean times, biting your thumb was… a. a gesture of friendship b. an insult c. a way of hitting on someone | b. an insult |
| Is Benvolio a Montague or a Capulet? | He is a Montague; he’s Romeo’s level-headed cousin. |
| How many times have the Capulets and Montagues had street fights recently? | Three times |
| In your own words, rewrite Romeo’s speech about love in Scene 1, lines 176-180, line by line: Love is troublesome because it creates bad feelings. | Your opinion… lemme know what yall think |
| Why doesn’t this girl like Romeo? (Rosaline) | She’s made a vow to become a Catholic nun. In essence, she’ll marry Jesus. Romeo, of course, thinks this is a “huge waste” |
| How old is Juliet? What are her father’s thoughts about allowing her to marry? | 13. Her father thinks she’s too young to get married and would like to see her wait two more years. Still, he wouldn’t stand in the way if Juliet wanted to marry Paris. |
| Lord Capulet’s willingness to allow Juliet to have a say in whom she marries is pretty progressive, since most marriages for this social class at the time would’ve been arranged by parents. Why, do you suppose, Capulet is willing to take Juliet’s feelings into consideration? | Capulet says that all of this other children have died, so Juliet, his jewel, gets more indulgence that other girls might. |
| Why does Benvolio want to crash the party? Why does Romeo agree? | Benvolio sees that Rosaline will be at the party and he wants Romeo to do a side-by-side comparison of her beauty next to other dazzling girls at the party. Romeo, who thinks there’s no way another girl could match Rosaline’s beauty, only begrudgingly agrees to go to the party so that he can stare at Rosaline. |
| Does Lady Capulet want Juliet to love Paris? a. No. She tells Juliet that she shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. b. Yes. She says Paris is a gorgeous book and Juliet will be the cover. c. Yes. He’s very educated with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. | i dont know lol lemme know what you think. |
| What is Juliet’s reaction to her mother’s request? What does this show us about Juliet? | She says that she’s not really interested in getting married, but she’ll check out Paris and give him a chance, since that’s what her mother wants. Shows shes reasonable and obedient |
| What does Romeo say about the value of dreams? | He believes that dreams hold the secret of your fate/ destiny. He would agree with modern dream interpreters that the subjects of our dreams tell us a lot about our lives. |
| At the end of Scene 4, Romeo mentions the subject of his latest vivid dream. What did Romeo dream? Why isn’t he changing his course of action? What does this show us about Romeo? | He dreamed that he would die young, all because of something that is set in motion this evening. A normal person might decide not to go to the party, but the dream doesn’t change Romeo’s evening plans to crash the Capulet party because he shares the ancient Greek belief that we are powerless when it comes to changing our fate. If “he,” or God, wants Romeo to die young, then so be it, Romeo says. |
| When Romeo first sees Juliet, what terms does he use to describe her? | here’s a few descriptions of a light object amongst dark things. For example, she seems to be a glowing jewel in a dark-skinned (Ethiopian) ear and a snowy dove amongst black crows. |
| When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Capulet say to Tybalt? Why? What is Tybalt’s reaction to this? | Capulet tells Tybalt to leave Romeo alone because folks in town speak highly of the young man; he’s not a troublemaker. Also, Capulet doesn’t want to cause a scene that will ruin the atmosphere of his party. Tybalt is scolded and swallows his anger, but he also says that his bitterness toward Romeo isn’t over. There’s two interesting things happening here. First, we get to see that Capulet easily flips from easy-going to angry. This will become important later when he scolds Juliet in Act 3. He’s a hot-head. Also, Tybalt’s anger and hatred of Romeo will come into play at the beginning of Act 3. |
| How does Romeo find out Juliet’s last name? | The nurse |
| How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name? | The Nurse tells her. This exchange hints that the Nurse will become the go-between for these two kids in the next act. The Nurse holds a lot of important knowledge in this play. |
| Who does Mercutio think that Romeo is in love with in his speech in Scene 1, lines 6-21? What’s funny about these lines? | Mercutio thinks that Romeo is still hung-up on Rosaline. The scene is humorous because Mercutio is mocking Romeo and his love here. He’s pretending to use witchcraft to conjure Rosaline’s image, hoping that Romeo will show up to stare at the apparition. |
| What does Romeo compare Juliet to in his first speech in Sc. 2, lines 2-3? | Romeo refers to Juliet as a brilliant luminous light thing in the dark. This time she is the sun in the nighttime sky. She’s so bright and pretty that she makes the moon jealous, he says. |
| When Juliet says “That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet,” what does she mean? Do names matter in our lives? If you had a different first name, do you think you might have grown up to be a slightly different person? | She means that Romeo would be wonderful, no matter what name he was called. For the other questions, students’ answers will vary a bit. |
| Why does Juliet ask Romeo not to swear his love’s allegiance by the moon? | The moon is not constant; it’s always changing in a cycle from full to a barely there crescent. She says she doesn’t want to think that his love will be similiar to such a here-today-gone-tomorrow cycle. |
| Which one is the first to mention marriage? What does this show us about this character? | Juliet mentions marriage first. This shows us that she is a good girl; there won’t be any hanky-panky. If he likes it, Romeo needs to put a ring on it. |
| What does Juliet instruct Romeo to send her the next day | She wants him to send a message of when and where she needs to go to get married to him. He says he’ll have the info. by 9 a.m. |
| At the beginning of Scene 3, what is Friar Laurence doing? | He’s gathering herbs and flowers in a basket. His hobby is herbology, and he likes to investigate the medicinal and poisonous qualities of the plants and flowers he’s gathering. |
| According to the Friar, how are humans like plants? | Our hearts can be both poison and medicine |
| With whom does Friar Laurence assume Romeo has spent the night? | Rosaline |
| In lines 87-88, the Friar says, “O, she knew well / Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.” Explain what he means here. | She knew his love wasnt real love |
| Why does the Friar begrudgingly agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? | To stop the conflict between familes |
| Write down three subjects Mercutio and Romeo make puns about in Scene 4, lines 44-70: | slip/slip (counterfeit coin); courtesy/curtsy; sole (of shoe)/sole (alone); goose (to eat)/goose (pinch bottom) |
| How does Mercutio treat the Nurse? a. He adores her and wants her to be his mom. b. He mistakenly thinks that she is Rosaline. c. He makes rude jokes about her. | C. he makes rude jokes about her. |
| What instructions does Romeo tell the Nurse to pass on to Juliet? | meet him at the church |
| Who does the Nurse say also wants to marry Juliet? What does she say Juliet’s feelings are for this other suitor? | Paris, Juliet would rather look at a toad |
| What time of day is it? | noon |
| How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to find Romeo? | 3 hours |
| what’s humorous about the way the Nurse treats Juliet in this scene? | Stalling because of how anxious Juliet is to know |
| Is Romeo fearful of the future? Write down the lines that support your answer. | Students should say that Romeo is not afraid of the premonition he had in the dream mentioned at the end of 1.4. These are the lines that prove this: “Then love-devouring death do what he dare/It is enough I may but call her mine.” |
| In your own words, explain the Friar’s message in these lines: “Therefore love moderately; long love doth so: Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.” | he wants romeo to slow down |
| In your own words, explain the Friar’s warning in these lines: “These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume.” | Slow down they are like gun powder and lead hot and heavy gonna explode |
| What happens at the very end of this scene? | they get married but its not publicly seen |
| At the beginning of Act 3, who says the following lines? What do these lines foreshadow? | Benvolio, He doesnt want mercuito to get in a fight |
| What does Mercutio tell us about Benvolio in lines 15-27? Is this true? Explain what’s happening here. | He is always trying to start a fight. it is not true. he is teasing him |
| Examine Mercutio’s “grave man” line. What figure of speech is used? What is the meaning? | He is using a pun. He says that if anyone asks for him tomorrow, he’ll be a “grave man.” Two meanings can be drawn here. First, he’ll be somber or sad, much unlike his usual self. The second meaning is closer to the truth. Tomorrow, he’ll be in a grave because he knows that this wound will be fatal. |
| Explain the following lines (104-110): “This gentlemen, the Prince’s near ally, My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt In my behalf – my reputation stained With Tybalt’s slander – Tybalt, that an hour Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper soft’ned valor’s steel!” | Made him soft. Mercutio is related to the Prince |
| Explain the Prince’s judgment and why he makes this ruling. | He didnt want to kill him. He justified it. so he banished him |
| Write down three of the oxymorons Juliet uses to describe Romeo and explain why she uses this literary technique to describe her young husband. | she says he is a “beautiful tyrant,” a “fiend angelical,” and a “dove-feathered raven.” She’s conflicted as she tries to reconcile the image of her beloved with the same description of the young man who killed her cousin. |
| The Nurse says, “Shame come to Romeo!” How does Juliet react to the Nurse? | Angry AND definds HIM |
| Where is Romeo hiding? | Friar Lawerences cell |
| What is Friar Laurence’s opinion of Romeo’s punishment in Scene 3, lines 25-28? It’s a merciful sentence because the Prince could have ordered Romeo to be executed. | He is lucky |
| In Scene 3, lines 33-39, why does Romeo say that he is less honored than carrion-flies? | They would get to fly around juliet |
| What three reasons does Friar Laurence give Romeo to show that he should be happy? | 1. Tibalt didnt kill him 2. Juliet still loves him 3. prince didnt kill him |
| Capulet explains to Paris that Juliet is upstairs crying about Tybalt. He says, “Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, And so did I. Well, we were born to die.” From this passage, explain how Capulet felt about his nephew. Why, do you suppose, he felt this way? | He didnt really care wasnt too upset. Tibalt fought romeo and he told him not to |
| What decision does Capulet make, thinking that it will cheer up Juliet? | Marry paris |
| What is Paris’ reply when Capulet makes his announcement? | Awesome! He says he wishes the wedding date were tomorrow because he’s so ready to be with Juliet. |
| What does Juliet mean by an “ill-divining soul” in Scene 5, line 54? | Predicting evil |
| Why do Juliet’s parents believe she is upset? What is their plan to help cheer her? | Tibalts death, marry paris |
| Earlier in the play, Capulet said Juliet will get to have a voice in whom she marries. Now, he’s raging at his daughter for speaking up against his choice. Explain why Capulet has changed his mind about listening to his daughter’s opinion about her future spouse. | Answers will vary. he is getting anxious because he knows paris is a good catch. he thinks it would make her happy |
| How does the Nurse describe Paris in Scene 5, lines 218-223? | Tries to comfort her. Compares romeo to a soiled dishrage |
| What reason does Paris give for not having spent much time courting Juliet? | too sad about tibalt |
| Name three of the horrible things Juliet says she would find preferable to marrying Paris. | 1. leap off of a tower 2. be chained to a bear 3. locked in a tomb with deadmans bones |
| Describe the Friar’s plan in your own words. | wants juliet to fake her own death so romeo could find her and live happily ever after |
| Juliet was supposed to marry Paris on Thursday, but what has her father decided? | not wait until thursday do it tomorrow |
| Who will stay up all night to make sure the wedding party preparations are complete? | Mr. capulet |
| in case the potion doesn’t work, what item does Juliet keep with her in the bed? | Dagger |
| Describe three things Juliet thinks might go wrong if she takes the potion. | 1. afraid the potion will kill her 2. the tomb will suffocate her 3. no one will come get her |
| Write down six words from Juliet’s speech (Scene 3, lines 30-58) that show her feelings about death. | HORRIBLE!!!!! |
| What time in the morning is it? | 3 am |
| In the midst of all the cooking and prepping, Paris arrives for his wedding date. Given the answer to the previous question, what does this arrival show us about Paris? | excited prolly a good guy |
| What does Capulet mean when he says the Nurse should “go and trim her up” in Scene 4, line 27? | Get dressed make her look nice |
| Who is the first to find Juliet’s body and think that she’s dead in Scene 5? | Nurse |
| in what three ways does Capulet say he can tell Juliet is dead? | Bodys stiff, cold, pale |
| What does the Friar advise Juliet’s parents to do with her body? | Get her dressed take her to the church |
| In a sly way, the Friar actually blames Juliet’s parents for her lifelessness. Write the lines in which he says they are being punished by God. | He is implying something they did was responsible blaming it on them. lines 95- 96 |
| Who brings news from Verona? What is the news? | romeos servant Bathasar, juliet is dead |
| In Scene 2, what is Friar John’s excuse for not having delivered the letter to Romeo? | Thought he had been exposed to the plague |
| What is Friar Laurence’s plan of action once he realizes Romeo hasn’t received his letter? | send romeo another letter, hid juliet |
| Who is the first person to arrive at Juliet’s tomb in Scene 3? Why is he there? | Paris there to greive |
| Explain Paris’ logic in thinking that Romeo is responsible for Juliet killing herself. | He killed tibalt she died greiving him |
| Did Paris love Juliet? Give evidence to support your answer. Answers will vary. | you could say no because he hasnt really talk to her but neither has romeo but you could say yes he went at night to grieve he also died defending juliet so either way he tried to do the right thing |
| Does Juliet wake up just before Romeo dies or just after? | after |
| Who is present when Juliet awakens? Why doesn’t this person stay? | Friar HE didnt want to get caught |
| Why does Juliet kiss Romeo’s lips even after he already died? | get poison |
| Juliet says, “Thy lips are warm!” This is, quite arguably, one of the saddest lines in the entire play. Why are these four little words so meaningful? | Realized she just missed him |
| How does Juliet kill herself? | Stabs herself |
| Which two characters are detained by the watchmen after Juliet’s death? | friar and balthasar |
| Who else died tonight? How do we find out? | Lady Montague , Lord montague tells everyone at the capulet tomb |
| How many people died in this play? List their names in order of their deaths. | 6. mercutio, tibalt, lady montegue, paris, romeo, and juliet |
Romeo and Juliet
August 5, 2019