William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet
Several times during the play life is compared to a sea journey. How does that metaphor in line 24 fit with that image
He asks the poison (desperate pilot) to destroy (run on the dashing rocks) his tired body (seasick weary bark)
In lines 1-6 Romeo says that Juliet does not appear to be dead. Explain the dramatic irony in what he says. What effect does the irony have?
He describes her as still having red in her cheeks and lips and that she is not so pale as a person who is dead would be.
Romeo's love for Juliet is almost religious in its intensity. Find two religious terms which Romeo uses when speaking to Juliet.
He talks about being baptized and he calls Juliet "Dear saint"
The subject matter of Shakespeare's play was far from original. What were some of his main sources?
He took great inspiration from Classical Greek and Latin works (Plutarch and Plautus), Italian works (Bandello, Cinzio, Fiorentino) and the English historian Holinhed's: Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Why wont Romeo tell Juliet his name? What does he want her to call him?
He wants her to call him 'love' from there on as a way of denying his family name.
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy. In a tragedy, the tragic hero usually passes form a state of happiness to a state of despair because of a tragic flaw in himself. What do you think Romeo's tragic flaw is?
His impulsiveness and passionate nature.
Why does Juliet describe orchard as "death" for Romeo?
If her father were to find out he would kill him.
Biographical questions - What was Shakespeare's education?
It is not fully know but many believe he attended the Stratford Grammar school, he did not go to university
Which of the two characters seem more aware and fearful of the dangers they are running? Support your answer with references to the text.
Juliet: And the place death, considering thou art - if any of my kingsman find thee here (lines 34-35) Juliet seems more aware of the dangers and tries to be more careful while Romeo is naive and is so blinded by his love for her that he does not recognize the danger.
Find an example of dramatic irony in the scene.
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?... We know that Romeo is hiding in the bushes listening to Juliet but she does not know.
It has been suggested that Romeo and Juliet suffer a tragic fate because they're too impulsive. Find evidence of Romeo's impulsiveness in the text.
Romeo's impulsiveness emerges in lines 38-39 when he dismisses the fact that he is in danger as unimportant. He describes how he would do anything for her because he is in love.
Where does Friar Lawrence want to send Juliet
To a monestry where she could live as a nun.
What, according to Friar Lawrence, has caused his plan to fail?
A power that is beyond their control
What an unkind hour - What reason does Romeo give for committing suicide?
By committing suicide he will join Juliet and prevent death from taking her from him
Describe briefly the four periods into which Shakespeare's plays have been divided. Which period does Romeo and Juliet belong to?
Shakespeare's work is often divided into four periods; - First period: Plays that are from the years 1590-95, it was thought to be a period of learning and experimentation for Shakespeare, he produce a lot of different plays in this time: - Chronicle plays: dealing with the history of England such as 'Henry VI' and 'Richard III' - Comedies: Which include 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'The Taming of the Shrew' - Tragedies: 'Titus Andronicus' and 'Romeo and Juliet' - Second Period: Plays from 1596 to the turn of the century, he seemed to be more focused on chronicle plays an comedies and it is commonly believed that in this time he wrote some of his comedies, such as; 'The Merchant of Venice', 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'As you like it' and 'Twelfth Night'. These comedies have a wide range of themes, such as; Pain and pleasure of love, mistaken identity and the degrading of materialistic and humourless people. - Third Period: This period ranged from 1600-08. In this time Shakespeare wrote some of his greatest tragedies. These plays would have given the world theater unforgettable characters such as Hamlet, King Lear, Othello and Macbeth. The comedies Shakespeare wrote in this period had lost all of their bright and optimistic appeal as some of his earlier comedies had. The dark element as in 'Measure for Measure' suggest that Shakespeare was experiencing great difficulty in his personal life that made the outlook rather pessimistic. - Fourth Period: From 1609 - 12. It seems that in this period Shakespeare had returned to a happier state of mind which can be seen 'The Tempest' where it is set in an ideal world of an enchanted island where an atmosphere of magic, music romance and harmony prevails.
What is the first question Juliet asks when she awakens?
She asks Friar Lawrence where her Romeo is
Why is Juliet upset when she sees the cup of poison is empty?
She is upset because Romeo finished all of the poison, leaving none for her to end her life as well
How does Juliet recognize Romeo?
She recognized his voice
What's in a name? - What solution to her and Romeo's problems does Juliet suggest in the opening lines?
She says he or she should change their name because their families are at war.
