Romeo and Juliet

In which town is the play set? In what country do you suppose this town exists? Verona, Italy
Why do many scholars say that knowing the deaths are coming actually improves the play Knowing that they die helps to with play foreshadowing and helps to build suspense. Since the play is a comedic structure, the foreshadowing says it is still going to be a tragic play
When Sampson says he will not “carry coals,” what does he mean? What literary technique is being used in this silly exchange between Sampson and Gregory? Puns; Sampson won’t take the insults
In Shakespearean times, biting your thumb was… an insult
Is Benvolio a Montague or Capulet Montague
Why doesn’t Lady Capulet want her husband to get involved in the fight? Her husband is too old and doesn’t need to be fighting
How many times have the Capulets and Montagues had street fights recently? 3 recent street fights
How has Romeo been spending his days recently? Locked in his bedroom being moody
List three oxymorons Romeo uses to describe the conflict between his family and the Capulets. Then, explain how the family feud is oxymoronic in its nature. Brawling love, loving hate, heavy lightness, cold fire, serious vanity and lead feather. The family feud is oxymoronic because love of the family is fueling hatred for other family.
In your own words, rewrite Romeo’s speech about love in Scene 1, lines 176-180, line by line Line 1: Love is difficult because it created hard feelingsLine 2: My depression is causing you an me to feel more depressedLine 3: The more people worry about him, the worse he feels about himselfLine 4: The longer that my love continues to growLine 5: My heart will get heavier and heavier
Romeo is heartsick over a girl who isn’t interested in Romeo. Name three of the ineffective romantic strategies Romeo has used in his attempt to woo this girl. Three ineffective strategies are he has been sending love notes, showering her with gold, showering with gifts and giving her googly eyes.
Why doesn’t Rosaline like Romeo? She is becoming a nun and has unattainable love interests
What does Benvolio tell Romeo to do in order to forget the girl who doesn’t want him? Benvolio tells Romeo to examine the beauty in other women and to move on to others
What “suit” does Paris bring to Capulet in Scene 2? Paris brings Capulet a legal marriage case for Juliet
How old is Juliet? What are her father’s thoughts about allowing her to marry? Juliet is thirteen, almost fourteen. Her father says she is too young and she has to agree to marry him. Capulet wants Juliet to wait 2 years and if they still want to marry, then they can
Why, do you suppose, Capulet is willing to take Juliet’s feelings into consideration? Juliet is Capulet’s last child and he wants her to be happy with who she is with
Why is the Capulet servant upset about having been given a list of party guests to find? The Capulet servant doesn’t know how to read the list of party guests, so he had to find someone else to do it
Why does Benvolio want to crash the party? Why does Romeo agree? Benvolio wants to go to the party because it is a Capulet party and he wants to take Romeo to find the beauty in other women. Romeo agrees because he hopes to see Rosaline at the party.
What does Romeo want to happen to his eyes if they find someone other than Rosaline desirable at the party? What does this show us about Romeo? He will cry tears of fire to burn his eyeballs. Romeo is dramatic over emotions and very committed to a path of his own. Also, he isn’t a man to slow down to think. He will let his heart lead.
Explain the nurse’s two stories about Juliet as a toddler. 1) When Juliet was two, the nurse applied a bitter cream, wormwood, to her nipple so Juliet would stop breastfeeding. 2) When Juliet learned to walk, she tripped and fell forward. The nurse’s husband said that when Juliet was older she would fall backward for her man.
Does Lady Capulet want Juliet to love Paris? Yes. She says Paris is a gorgeous book and Juliet will be the cover
What is Juliet’s reaction to her mother’s request? What does this show us about Juliet? Juliet is kind of shocked at the thought of marrying Paris because she hasn’t thought a lot about marriage. This tells us that Juliet will get to know Paris, she is practical and level headed. Also, it shows that Juliet is an obedient child.
According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she do? Queen Mab is a fairies midwife who helps people dream and brings different dreams to them. Also, she helps to deliver fairy babies.
What does Romeo say about the value of dreams? Romeo thinks dreams are a version of fate and that what he dreams could actually come true. Dreams are real and they tell the future.
What does Mercutio say about the value of dreams? Mercutio believes that dreamers lie and that they don’t determine who people are and what will happen. They are meaningless and made up.
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? Romeo dreamt about dying at an age not right for him, too early, and that it would happen with someone else. He believes in fate and where it leads to. It shows us that he believes that what he dreams will lead him into the future. Nothing he do will change what will happen to him.
When Romeo first sees Juliet, what terms does he use to describe her? Romeo says Juliet is a jewel in Ethiop’s ear, she shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, and she teaches torch to burn bright
How does Tybalt recognize Romeo? Tybalt recognizes Romeo by him having the voice of a Montague
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? Capulet tells Tybalt to stay away. He has heard Romeo is a good man and the fight between our families is over. With this, there is no reason to fight him if he does nothing wrong. Tybalt threatens to start a fight which eventually leads to Capulet sending Tybalt out. Tybalt says he will get revenge.
How does Romeo find out Juliet’s last name? The nurse speaks of how Juliet’s mother is the mother of the house. Since they are at a Capulet party, he knows she is a Capulet
How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name? The nurse gives her companionship and later asks Romeo because Juliet wanted her to. This is where she learns of his name being Romeo Montague, the only son of their great enemy.
Explain how Juliet being dressed as an angel, Romeo as a knight in shining armor, and Paris as an astronaut are appropriate for each character. Juliet is an angel because she is the main women, bright, angelic and innocent Juliet. Romeo is a knight in shining armor because he saves Juliet from a marriage she didn’t really want. Paris is dressed as an astronaut because he is courageous and that his world is way different than the world of Romeo and Juliet.
What does Act 2 Prologue say happened to Romeo’s love for Rosaline? How is this an example of foreshadowing? Romeo says his love for Rosaline is dead and lies to him. This tells us that Romeo and Juliet be together. Romeo and Juliet love dead and buried.
What does Romeo mean by “dull earth” in Scene 1, line 2? Romeo means his body is feeling lifeless
Who does Mercutio think that Romeo is in love with in his speech in Scene 1, lines 6-21? What is funny about these lines? Mercutio still believes that Romeo is in love with Rosaline. He describes features about Rosaline. Mercutio is making fun of Romeo about Rosaline’s body
When Romeo says, “He jests at scars that never felt a wound,” what does he mean? People are making fun of him. Romeo doesn’t love Rosaline anymore.
What does Romeo compare Juliet to in his first speech in Scene 2, lines 2-3 Romeo compares Juliet to the beauty of the sun lighting up the night sky.
In your own words, rewrite Juliet’s speech in Scene 2, lines 33-36. Go line-by-line as you restate her meaning. Line 1: Why are you Romeo MontagueLine 2: Deny you family name and be your own personLine 3: If not still love meLine 4: And then I will change my name
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? It doesn’t matter what you call something, it is still the same thing. Names don’t matter in our lives because people are still who they are without the names.
In your own words, translate Juliet’s meaning in lines 95-101. Why do young lovers, both then and now, play such games? If you think it is easy to win my heart, I will play hard to get. I wouldn’t act like this for just anyone. I like you too much that you may think my behavior is loose. Trust me, I will prove myself to be more faithful than the other women. They play games to try and attract the person more to themselves.
Why does Juliet ask Romeo not to swear his love’s allegiance by the moon? The moon is constantly changing and she doesn’t want their love to change. She wants their love to be consistant and strong.
Which one is the first to mention marriage? What does this show us about character? Juliet is the first to mention marriage. This shows us that there is another man that she will have to marry and she wants to do things in the right order.
What does Juliet instruct Romeo to send to her the next day? Juliet instructs Romeo to send her when and where to meet to get married.
Look at lines 182-184. What do these lines literally mean? Then, explain how this bit of text is an example of foreshadowing? The lines mean that Romeo and Juliet have strong love for each other. She would love him too much that she might have to kill him. This foreshadows that there love for each other will kill them.
At the beginning of Scene 3, what is Friar Laurence doing? Friar Laurence is gathering herbs and plants.
According to the Friar, how are humans like plants? Humans and plants can both be used on the Earth for good or bad. They are born onto Earth and buried in the ground of the Earth.
With whom does Friar Laurence assume Romeo has spent the night? Friar Laurence assumed Romeo spent the night with 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. It means she knew you were acting in love without really knowing the true meaning of loving someone
Why does the Friar begrudgingly agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? He agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet because he believes it will end the long lasting feud between the families.
Who are Laura, Dido, Cleopatra, Helen, and Hero? What does Mercutio say about them? They are many lovers from literature and mythology. Laura was a kitchen wench, Dido a tragic lover, Helen that her beauty caused the Trojan War, Cleopatra a gipsy and Hero who was forced to be loved. None of them compare to Rosaline.
Write down three subjects Mercutio and Romeo make puns about in Scene 4, lines 44-70. They make puns about 1) courtesy and curtsy, 2) goose, 3) single and sole like one layer of a sole or one of a kind
How does Mercutio treat the nurse? Mercutio makes rude jokes about the Nurse
What instructions does Romeo tell the nurse to pass on to Juliet? Romeo tells the Nurse to tell Juliet to make up an excuse to go for a confession (when and where).At the “confession”, Romeo and Juliet will actually get married
Who does the Nurse say also wants to marry Juliet? What does the nurse say about Juliet’s feelings are for this other suitor? The Nurse says Paris also wants to marry Juliet. She says Juliet’s feelings aren’t as strong because whenever the Nurse mentions him, Juliet’s face gets really pale
What time of day is it? It is twelve in the afternoon- NOON
How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to find Romeo? The nurse has been gone for three hours on her errand to find Romeo
What’s humorous about the way the Nurse treats Juliet in this scene? The nurse is holding off the info by finding ways to not deliver the news. She knows how anxious Juliet is to hear the news, so she is holding off. She tells her different stories until delivering the news.
Is Romeo fearful of the future? Write down the lines that support your answer? Romeo is not fearful of the future. The lines that back this up are “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 meaning in these lines: “These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss, consume.” The Friar is warning them that they might be happy but will die with each other. Slow their love down. Sometimes love will burn out if they go too fast so take it slower, but not too slow.
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.” Friar’s message is to love while you can because if you don’t, you might die before you are able to be in love. Going too quickly can be just as bad as going too slow.
What happens at the very end of this scene? At the very end of the scene, Romeo and Juliet go with Friar Laurence off stage and get married.
At the beginning of Act 3, who says the following lines? What do these lines foreshadow? “I pray thee good Mercutio, let’s retire / For now these hot days is the bad blood stirring” Benvolio; a fight is coming and is going to lead to Mercutio’s and Tybalt’s death
What does Mercutio tell us about Benvolio in lines 15-72? Is this true? Explain what’s happening here?
Examine Mercutio’s “grave man” line. What figure of speech is used? What is the meaning?
Explain the following lines (104-110) “This gentlemen, the Prince’s near ally / And in my temper soft’ned valor’s steel!”
Explain the Prince’s judgment and why he is making this ruling.
In her speech at the beginning of Scene 2, what is Juliet looking forward to that night?
Give two examples from lines 26-31 that Juliet uses to explain the agony of expectation that she’s feeling.
Write down three oxymorons Juliet uses to describe Romeo and explain why she uses this literary technique to describe her young husband.
The Nurse says, “Shame come to Romeo!” How does Juliet react to the Nurse?
Where is Romeo hiding?
What is Friar Laurence’s opinion of Romeo’s punishment in Scene 3, lines 25-28
In Scene 3, lines 33-39, why does Romeo say that it is less honored than carrion-flies?
What three reasons does Friar Laurence give Romeo to show that he should be happy?
In Scene 3, the Nurse gives Romeo a gift from Juliet. What was the gift?
Capulet explains to Paris that Juliet is upstairs crying about Tybalt’s death. He says “Look you she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, And so did I. Well, we were born to die.” From this, explain how Capulet felt about his nephew. Why do you suppose he felt this way?
What decision does Capulet make, thinking that it will cheer up Juliet?
What is Paris’ reply when Capulet makes his announcement?
Why does Juliet want to believe the songbird she can hear is a nightingale, not a lark?
What does Juliet mean by an “Ill-divining soul” in Scene 5, line 54?
Why do Juliet’s parents believe she is upset? What is their plan to help cheer her?
Explain why Capulet has changed his mind about listening to his daughter’s opinion about her future spouse.
How does the Nurse describe Paris in Scene 5, lines 218-223?
What reason does Pairs give for not having spent much time courting Juliet?
Name three horrible things Juliet says she would find preferable to marrying Paris.
Describe the Friar’s plan in your own words.
How do you know if you are hiring a good cook?
Juliet was supposed to marry Paris on Thursday, but what has her father decided?
Who will stay up all night to make sure the wedding party preparations are complete?
In case the potion doesn’t work, what item does Juliet keep with her in her bed?
Describe three things Juliet thinks might go wrong if she takes the potion.
Write down six words from Juliet’s speech (Scene 3, lines 30-58) that show her feelings about death.
What time in the morning is it?
Paris arrives at the wedding in the midst of everything. Given the answer to the previous question, what does this arrival show us about Paris?
What does Capulet mean when he says the Nurse should “go and trim her up” in Scene 4, line 27?
Who is the first to find Juliet’s body and think that she is dead?
In what three ways does Capulet say he can tell Juliet is dead?
What does Friar advise Juliet’s parents to do with her body?
In a sly way, the Friar actually blames Juliet’s parents for her lifelessness. Write down the lines in which he says they are being punished by God.
Why does Shakespeare end this heavy, emotionally wrenching scene with odd exchange between Peter and the musicians?
Describe the dream that Romeo just had at the beginning of Scene 1?
Who brings news from Verona? What is the news?
Write down three odd things Romeo noticed in the apothecary shop.
Why is it difficult to get poison in Mantua? Why does Romeo believe this apothecary will sell him some despite this?
In Scene 2, what is Friar John’s excuse for not having delivered the letter to Romeo?
What is Friar Laurence’s plan of action once he realizes Romeo hasn’t received the letter?
Who is the first person to arrive at Juliet’a tomb in Scene 3. Why is he there?