| old desire | Romeo’s love for Rosaline |
| young…heir | Romeo’s new love for Juliet is eager to replace his love for Rosaline |
| fair | beautiful woman (Rosaline) |
| Alike bewitched | Both Romeo and Juliet are enchanted |
| complain | address his words of love |
| Temp’ring…sweet | easing their difficulties with great delights |
| dull earth | lifeless body |
| center | heart, or possibly soul (Juliet) |
| Line 3 breaks pattern of blank verse. Why is this break suited to emotion of the line? | It shows the negative characteristics |
| conjure | recite a spell to make Romeo appear |
| gossip | merry old lady |
| When reading Mercutio’s speech, where should one pause and when to come to a stop? | Starting from line 16, and 2/3 way in line 19, there should be pause, but at the end it should be a full stop. |
| The ape is dead | Romeo, like a trained monkey, seems to be playing |
| consorted | associated |
| humorous | humid; moody, like a lover |
| medlars | applelike fruits |
| truckle bed | trundlebed, placed under a larger bed when not in use |
| What effect does Shakespeare achieve by breaking rhymed couplet in two scenes? | It shows time period and made it feel as if it’s real life. |
| livery | clothing |
| spheres | orbits |
| Why does reading Romeo’s speech in complete sentences help grasp the meaning? | It makes Romeo’s feelings towards Juliet clear |
| Whom does Romeo see at the window? | Juliet |
| Wherefore…Romeo? | Why are you Romeo–a Montague? |
| though not | even if you were not |
| owes | owns; posesses |
| doff | remove |
| counsel | secret thoughts |
| o’erperch | fly over |
| In line 72, what is the effect of the stressed syllable words? | shows the emotions Romeo has towards Juliet |
| proof | protected, as by armor |
| And but | unless |
| proroguled | post-poned |
| adventure | risk a long journey, like a sea adventurer |
| Fain…form | eagerly would I follow convention (by acting reserved) |
| compliment | conventional behavior |
| be perverse | act contrary to my true feelings |
| fond | affectionate |
| my havior light | my behavior immodest or unserious |
| cunning | cleverness; slyness |
| strange | distant and cold |
| discovered | revealed |
| contract | bethrotal |
| frank | generous |
| bounty | what I have to give |
| substantial | real |
| bent | purpose; intention |
| procure | get |
| 2 speakers share the rhythm of line 151. Does Nurse’s interruption complete or break line | Nurse’s interruption breaks the line. |
| By and by | at once |
| strife | efforts |
| tassel gentle | male falcon |
| Bondage is hoarse | Being bound in by my family restricts my speech |
| Echo | In classical mythology, the nymph Echo, unable to win the love of Narcissus, wasted away in a cave until nothing remained but her voice |
| What plan do Romeo and Juliet make for the following day? | Romeo and Juliet plan to get married the following day |
| physic | medicine |
| My…foe | Romeo’s plea also helps his enemy (Juliet, a Capulet) |
| intercession | act of pleading on behalf of another |
| and…drift | and simple in your speech |
| Riddling…shrift | Confusing confession will get you uncertain forgiveness. Friar means that unless Romeo speaks clearly, he will not get clear and direct advice. |
| And…save | and we are united in every way, except for (save) |
| brine | salt water (tears) |
| sallow | of a sickly, pale-yellowish complexion |
| fall | be weak or inconstant |
| Which vital words are stressed in the last six lines of Friar’s speech? | woes, changed |
| strength | constancy; stability |
| doting | being infatuated |
| badst | urged |
| grace | favor |
| allow | give |
| Thy…spell | your love recited words from memory with no understanding of them |
| waverer | who changes or is unsteady |
| rancor | hatred |
| stand on | insist on |
| blind bow-boy’s butt-shaft | Cupid’s blunt arrow |
| Prince of Cats | Tybalt, or variation of it, name of cat in medieval stories of Reynard the Fox |
| captain of compliments | master of former behavior |
| as you sing pricksong | with attention to precision |
| rests…rests | observes all formalities |
| button | exact spot on opponent’s shirt |
| first house | finest school of fencing |
| first and second cause | reasons that would cause a gentleman to challenge another to a duel |
| passado!…punto reverso!…hay! | lunge…backhanded stroke…home thrust |
| The pox…accent | May the plague strike these absurd characters with their phony manners–these men who speak in weird, newfangled ways! |
| What does Friar think Romeo and Juliet’s love will do for Capulets and Montagues? | It will end the feuds between Capulets and Montagues |
| lamentable | distressing; sad |
| these pardon-me’s | these men who are always saying “Pardon me” (adopting ridiculous manners) |
| Without…herring | worn out |
| numbers | verses of love poems |
| Laura | Laura and other ladies mentioned are all notable figures of European love literature |
| slip | escape |
| hams | hips |
| pump | shoes |
| when…singular | the jest will outwear the shoe and will then be alone |
| O…singleness! | O thin joke, unique for only one thing–weakness |
| Swits…match | Drive your wit harder to beat me or else I’ll claim victory in this match of word play |
| sweeting | kind of apple |
| cheveril | easily stretched kid leather |
| natural | idiot |
| lolling | with tongue hanging out |
| bauble | toy |
| the hair | natural inclination |
| occupy the argument | talk about the matter |
| goodly gear | good stuff for joking (Romeo sees Nurse approaching) |
| shirt and smock | man and woman |
| fault | lack |
| took | understood |
| Lady…lady | line from old ballad, “Chaste Susanna” |
| a | he |
| flirt-gills | common girls |
| skainsmates | criminals; cutthroats |
| weak | unmanly |
| commend | convey respect and best wishes |
| shrift | confession |
| tackled stair | rope ladder |
| topgallant | summit |
| convoy | conveyance |
| quit | reward; pay you back for |
| Two…away | Two can keep a secret if one is ignorant, or out of the way |
| prating | babbling |
| fain…aboard | eagerly seize Juliet for himself |
| had as lieve | would as willingly |
| clout | cloth |
| versal world | universe |
| dog’s name | R sounds like a growl |
| Before, and apace | Go ahead of me, and quickly |
| low’ring | darkening |
| Therefore…Love | therefore, doves with quick wings pull the chariot of Venus, goddess of love |
| bandy her | send her rapidly |
| feign | act |
| unwieldy | awkward, clumsy |
| give me leave | excuse me; give me a moment’s rest |
| jaunce | rough trip |
| stay the circumstances | wait for the details |
| simple | foolish; simple-minded |
| a | on |
| Beshrew | shame on |
| hot | impatient; hot-tempered |
| Marry…trow | Indeed, cool down |
| poultice | remedy |
| coil | disturbance |
| wanton | excited |
| That…not! | that the future does not punish us with sorrow |
| counterveil | equal |
| powder | gunpowder |
| confounds | destroys |
| flint | stone |
| gossamers | spider webs |
| vanity | foolish things that cannot last |
| As…him | the same greeting to him |
| and…it | and if you are better able to proclaim it |
| Conceit…ornament | Understanding does not need to be dressed up in words |
| Romeo slips away from his friends; the vulgar Mercutio makes some indecent comments about Rosaline. What misapprehension are Mercutio and Benvolio under? What truth does the audience know? | Mercutio still believes Romeo is in love with Rosaline, but Romeo is in love with Juliet now. |
| As the scene opens, Romeo enters and says: “He jests at scars that never felt a wound.” What does this mean? | Romeo is saying that it’s easy for some one to laugh/mock at somebody else’s pain, since the mocker never endured the pain |
| Romeo’s first speech is among the most famous of Shakespeare’s soliloquies. What is the main idea in it? | Romeo is comparing Juliet’s beauty to daylight, and lamp, showing that Juliet is so bright that she lightens up the day. |
| Juliet does not know that Romeo is beneath her window listening to her private thoughts. She says, “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” What does she mean? | Juliet is brooding why her love, Romeo, had to be a Montague, and she had to be a Capulet. |
| Juliet makes a secret vow to Romeo, what is it? | Juliet promises that she will always love and follow Romeo everywhere no matter what. The quote is, “Take all myself. Take all of me in exchange of you name. |
| Romeo, after listening to Juliet profess her love, decides to make his presence known. How does Romeo identify himself? | Romeo agrees to do what she says according to the text, “I take thee word. Call me but love and I’ll be baptized.” Romeo is willing to give up his name in exchange for Juliet. |
| Romeo is risking his death by being at Juliet’s home. When she mentions this fact to Romeo, what is his response? | Romeo says that there is more danger in Juliet’s eyes than 20 swords. He says that he is protected against the enemy |
| Juliet is embarrassed that Romeo has overheard how she feels about him. What is she concerned about? How did she counter this concern of hers? | Juliet is saying that if Romeo thinks, that she is too fast to fall in love, then she will reject her true feelings and display the opposite |
| When Romeo swears by the moon, what does Juliet tell him? | Juliet tells Romeo not to swear by the moon, since it keeps changing, and she does not want her love to change like the moon does, but, Romeo should swear by himself. |
| Juliet expresses some apprehension. What is it? | Juliet is not happy of this bethrotal because it is going too fast, sudden and does not have parents’ council/blessings. Also it seems like a dream. |
| What decision do Romeo and Juliet make? Whose help will Romeo seek in this matter? | Romeo and Juliet decide to get married, and Romeo will seek help from Friar Lawrence. |
| Friar assumes that Romeo is out so early because he has been up all night with Rosaline. When Friar learns that it is another girl who has captured Romeo’s heart, how does Friar respond? | Friar feels that young men don’t know what love is- a shallow. It dies in their eyes and not in their hearts. It is infatuous. |
| How does Romeo respond to Friar’s chiding? | Romeo is saying that the relationship he has with Juliet is true love since Rosaline did not love Romeo back, but Juliet did. |
| Why does Friar agree to help Romeo and Juliet get married? | Friar believes that getting Romeo and Juliet married will help end feud between Capulets and Montagues. |
| Juliet sends the Nurse to speak with Romeo. What doubts and concerns does the Nurse have with Romeo? | The Nurse is concerned about Juliet’s future with Romeo, she is doubting Romeo’s loyalty, so she confirms with Romeo that he will not trick or cheat Juliet or try to change her character. |
| What is the message that Romeo gives to the Nurse for Juliet? | Romeo’s message to the Nurse is to ask Juliet to come to Friar Lawrence’s cell since he will help Romeo and Juliet get married. |
| Romeo tells the Nurse that his man will deliver something beyond the abbey-wall. What is Romeo’s man bringing? | Romeo’s man is bringing a rope ladder. |
| When the Nurse finally returns, she teases Juliet by delaying her news. Juliet grows impatient, finally learning what? | Juliet learns that Romeo agrees to the marriage, and Friar Lawrence will help the two get married. |
| The Nurse is off to fetch a rope ladder. What will this be used for? | It will be used when Romeo secretly comes to Juliet’s balcony to greet her |
| What do the following lines from Friar Lawrence’s soliloquy mean? O great mickle is the powerful grace divine power that lies In plants, herbs, stones and their true quantitiesFor naught so worth vile that on Earth doth lineBut to the earth some special good doth gave | Friar is talking about how God gives the world plants, herbs, and other things people need to survive. |
| In expressing his reservations about the marriage, which quotation from Friar Lawrence foreshadows future events? | “So smile the heavens upon this holy act that after hours with sorrow chide us not.” |
Romeo and Juliet Act 2
December 14, 2019