Romeo and Juliet: The Complete Study Guide

About Romeo and Juliet

Circle one: This play is a... (Tragedy) Comedy History -What will happen to the main characters? The main characters will die. -What is the format of a Shakespearean Tragedy? Act 1: Exposition Act 2: Rising action, complications Act 3: Crisis, turning point Act 4: Falling action Act 5: Climax, resolution

What are the attitudes of Gregory and Sampson towards the law? (Lines 36-46)

Gregory and Sampson are afraid of getting in trouble or punished.

Look carefully at lines 16-19. On what condition will Lord Capulet agree to Juliet's marriage with Paris?

If Paris can win Juliet's heart, then Lord Capulet will agree to the marriage.

Look closely at lines 97-99. Explain Juliet's answer to her mother when asked if she can love Paris.

Juliet says she will try to love Paris, but will not force herself to fall in love.

When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about being married, what is Juliet's answer (line 66), and what does it reveal about her character?

Juliet says that it is an honor that she does not wish to have. Juliet does not want to get married. This reveals that Juliet is not quite mature enough to get married. Juliet is also unsure of what to expect and is confused.

In Scene 1, Lines 73 and 77, how are the responses of Lady Capulet and Lady Montague to their husbands different?

Lady Capulet thinks her husband is too old to fight, and Lady Montague is the peacemaker.

Explain the importance of lines 5 and 6.

Lines 5 and 6 talk about the ancient rivalry of the two families and the outcome of this story.

Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice and tries to start a fight. What two reasons does Lord Capulet give for stopping him (lines 65-74)?

Lord Capulet does not want to make a huge commotion at the party and he claims that Romeo is a gentleman.

What kind of host is Lord Capulet from the beginning of this scene?

Lord Capulet is a good host. Capulet is friendly and wants everyone attending his party to have a great time.

What does Lord Capulet mean when he says "the earth has swallowed all my hopes but she" (line 14)?

Lord Capulet means that all of his other children have died.

In this scene Lord Capulet talks to Paris about marrying his daughter Juliet. What reasons does he give for not wanting Juliet to marry at this time?

Lord Capulet says that Juliet is too young to marry Paris.

How does Mercutio try to snap Romeo out of his depression?

Mercutio convinces Romeo to go to a party that the Capulet's are hosting. Mercutio suggests to Romeo that he should dance.

In what ways throughout this scene do we see how Mercutio is a foil to Romeo?

Mercutio is a foil to Romeo in their attitudes towards love and in their personality traits.

What is Mercutio saying in lines 7-16? What is his tone?

Mercutio is attempting to Romeo's attention. Mercutio tries to anger Romeo by bringing up Rosaline. He is playful about how he is saying these things.

What does Mercutio say about "blind love"?

Mercutio says "If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark."

Are you convinced that Romeo truly loves Juliet? Why or why not?

No, because Romeo just met Juliet. Romeo might be fascinated by Juliet, but it is too early for him to truly love her.

Summarize Mercutio's speech on Queen Mab.

Queen Mab brings dreams suited to each individual, whether they are good or bad: lovers dream of love; lawyers dream of law cases and making money; soldiers dream of "cutting foreign throats."

ACT 2 STUDY GUIDE

Romeo and Juliet

In lines 93-106, Romeo and Juliet speak to each other. What type of poem do their lines form?

Romeo and Juliet's lines form a Sonnet.

What decision does Romeo make in lines 112-113, and what is the thematic importance of this decision?

Romeo decides to let the stars control his fate and allow things to happen as they should.

Why does Romeo not want to look at other women?

Romeo does not want to look at other women because it will remind him of Rosaline.

What does Romeo feel about love (lines 25-26)?

Romeo feels that love is rough and causes pain.

Look closely at lines 106-111. Why does Romeo feel uneasy about going to the party?

Romeo feels uneasy because he is afraid that something is going to happen. Something at the party was going to lead to his death; "something in my mind misgives."

What is the dramatic irony found in lines 17-21?

Romeo is not with Rosaline, he is with Juliet, but his friends don't know that.

What does Romeo realize in lines 118-120?

Romeo realizes that Juliet is a Capulet.

We learn from Romeo's soliloquy that he is struck by love at first sight when he sees Juliet at the party. Paraphrase Romeo's speech (lines 44-53). To what does he compare Juliet?

Romeo talks about how Juliet is the love of his life. Romeo compares Juliet to a dove, and says all the other girls are cows. Romeo never thought he would love someone more than Rosaline. Juliet lights up the room.

When Benvolio asks Romeo what is the cause of Romeo's strange behavior, what does Romeo tell him? (Lines 161-165)

Romeo tells Benvolio that his strange behavior is caused by love.

How does this speech about his love for Juliet compare to his speeches about being in love with Rosaline?

Romeo's speech is shorter, different, and he gets to the point. Romeo's love for Juliet could be different from the love he was experiencing with Rosaline. This shows that Romeo no longer has Rosaline in mind and has fallen deeply in love with Juliet.

Who is Rosaline, and how is she related to the Capulets?

Rosaline is the girl that Romeo is in love with. She is the niece of Lord Capulet.

How does Shakespeare start the play so that he gains the attention of the "groundlings?"

Shakespeare gains the attention of the groundlings with the Capulets fighting and using swords.

What themes are established in the Prologue?

The theme of love, hope, and despair are established in the Prologue.

The servants of the house of Capulet are already using insulting language to generalize about members of the Montague family. What does this show about attitudes in the two houses?

This shows that the two houses hate each other and can't stand each other.

Who is Tybalt, and why is he dangerous?

Tybalt is the nephew of the Capulets. Tybalt is dangerous because he is quick tempered and hot headed.

Look closely at lines 90-93. What threat does Tybalt make as he agrees to withdraw?

Tybalt swears that he will get his revenge on Romeo later.

ACT 1 SCENE 5

A Hall in Capulet's House

ACT 1 SCENE 1

A Public Place in Verona

ACT 1 SCENE 3

A Room in Capulet's House

ACT 1 SCENE 2

A Street

ACT 1 SCENE 4

A Street

What is unusual about Romeo's behavior, according to Benvolio and Lord Montague?

According to Lord Montague and Benvolio, Romeo is sad and depressed.

According to Romeo, why does the young woman he is in love with refuse him? (Lines 209-215)

According to Romeo, it is because she has sworn to live a life of Chastity.

Act 1

(Prologue)

Elizabethan Times: Beliefs about the Universe

- Elizabethans believed that Earth was the center of the universe and fixed firmly in place. - Seven planets: the moon, Mercury, Venus, the sun, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn- rotated around Earth - Astrologers thought they could predict future events by knowing the conjunction of stars, and the future course of a person's life could be known ahead of time by knowing the placement of the stars at that persons birth. (Astrology)

Biographical Information on The Bard, William Shakespeare

- When and where was William Shakespeare born? William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. - Who did he marry? What's unique about their marriage? He was married to Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. William was 18 and Anne was 26- and pregnant. - How old was he when he wrote his first play? He wrote his first play when he was 25 years old. - What inspired the themes found in many of his plays? Many of his plays are autobiographical: comments on the royal society or reflective of his fatherhood concerns. -Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 poems in his lifetime. -Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of 52, most likely on his Birthday.

Attending Shakespeare's Plays

- Where would people see Shakespeare's plays? Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theatre in London. - Who were "groundlings"? The theater-goers that stood on the ground. - At what time of day were plays performed? Plays were performed during the day. - Were women allowed to act in the theater? No women were allowed to act in the theater. - Did the plays have elaborate props or scenery? There was no scenery, few props, and only costumes that the actors provided themselves. - What happened to The Globe in 1613? The theater was burned to the ground after being set on fire by a spark from a cannon during a performance of Henry VIII. Reconstruction on a replica began in 1993 and was completed in 1996. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Globe in May of 1997.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory elements, such as "deafening silence." List four of the oxymorons in lines 173-179.

1. "Heavy lightness" 2. "Cold fire" 3. "Brawling love" 4. "Loving Hate"

How much do you already know? (True or False) 1. The Elizabethans were superstitious and believed the future of a person's life was determined by the placement of the stars at that person's birth. 2. Before coming to London, Shakespeare married an older woman who was already pregnant. 3. William Shakespeare attended Oxford University where he spent years perfecting his writing. 4. Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets and 38 plays. 5. When Romeo and Juliet was first performed in 1595, Juliet was played by a young boy. 6. Shakespeare's plays came straight from his imagination. 7. Shakespeare's theater, The Globe, burned down in 1613 and was not open again until 1997.

1. True 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. False 7. True

About Shakespeare's Plays

All of Shakespeare's plays fall into one three categories: 1. Histories 2. Comedies 3. Tragedies

ACT 2 SCENE 1

Capulet's Orchard

Paraphrase the chorus's speech. What type of poem is this?

The Chorus speaks about Romeo's love for Rosaline, and how his desire for Rosaline decreases. The Chorus also talks about how Romeo and Juliet are in a risky situation because they come from two feuding families. Romeo and Juliet will do whatever they can in order to see each other. The Chorus's speech is written as a Shakespearean Sonnet.

Who speaks the Prologue? What is the Prologue's purpose?

The Chorus speaks the prologue. The purpose of the prologue is to introduce the audience to what is going to happen later on in the story.

What is the nurse's relationship with Juliet? How would you describe the Nurse's personality?

The Nurse cares a lot about Juliet, and is like a mother to her. The Nurse is kind, caring, and loving.

Look closely at lines 62-63. What is the nurse's one wish for Juliet?

The Nurses one wish is to live to see Juliet get married.

What warning does the prince give the street brawlers in Scene 1, Lines 78-100?

The Prince tells the street brawlers that they better stop or they will die.

In what poetic form is the Prologue?

The Prologue is in the poetic form of a Shakespearean sonnet.

What is the dramatic irony in lines 70-85?

The irony is the servant is telling and inviting Romeo to Capulet's party and he doesn't know that Romeo is a Montague.