Romeo and Juliet Acts 1-5

From the servant who cannot read we learn that Rosaline, who Romeo believes he is in love, will be at the Capulet party. Why does this excite Benvolio? What is his plan (lines 84-89)?

Benvolio wants Romeo to go to the party to look at other girls so that he can get over Rosaline.

When describing his feelings to Benvolio, Romeo uses Oxymorons—pairs of contradictory words in lines 170-177 and 184-188. Why does he speak in contradictions and paradoxes?

Brawling love...loving hate-family loyalty demands that Montagues hate Capulets. Romeo continues to express this contradiction by grouping things together that do not belong. Romeo loves, but his love has not brought him happiness.

What does this reveal about Lord Capulet's love for his daughter?

He cares about her best interests, but also her opinion and happiness.

Why does Romeo feel uneasy about going to the party? What dream-like premonition has he had?

He dreams that the party will lead to his death.

what is the importance of the part of the prologue where it tells about the two lovers who are doomed?

from the ill fated lineages of 2 families, two lovers are born doomed because of the position the stars were in when they were born (fate) and it causes them to take their life.

Lines 86-89: Explain Benvolio's analogy of what Romeo should do to get over Rosaline.

"...I will make thee think thy swan a crow." Means that after the party, Romeo will no longer think Rosaline is the most beautiful woman. She will be unattractive compared to the other girls.

Highlight lines 98-100. Explain Juliet's answer to her mother when asked if she can love Paris. What does it reveal about her knowledge of being in love? What is her attitude towards love and marriage?

"I'll look to like, if looking liking move, if looks will make me love him." I will look at him if that will make me fall for him. She will keep an open mind but she will not show him favoritism just because her parents want her to marry him.

Our first introduction to Benvolio comes when he says these words. What do they reveal about his character?

"Put up your swords. You know not what you do." He disagrees with the feud and wants to keep peace.

Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice and tries to start a fight. What two reasons does Lord Capulet give for stopping him (lines 65-69)

1. He doesn't want to break the party up. 2. He hears that Romeo is a virtuous guy and he does not want to offend him.

In this scene Lord Capulet talks to Paris about marrying his daughter Juliet. What two reasons does he give for not wanting Juliet to marry at this time (lines 8-14)?

1. She is too young and 2.She's his only surviving child

What coincidence takes place in the scene where the servant comes out to read the names who were invited to the capulet party? Explain what theme is being developed.

A servant who cannot read asks Romeo (not knowing that he is a Montague) to read the list of invites to the Capulet party for him. "You cannot escape your fate."

We learn from Romeo's soliloquy (a speech delivered while the speaker is alone, calculated to inform the audience of what is passing in the character's mind) that he is struck by love at first sight when he sees Juliet at the party. Paraphrase Romeo's speech (lines 43-53). To what does he compare Juliet?

Compares light and dark- Juliet is the light and stands out compared with everyone/everything else. (Snowy dove among crows, jewel in an Ethiope's ear)

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

He gives in and allows fate to control his destiny.

Lines 90-91: What is the tone of the Prince's speech? In these lines he makes a new decree. What is it, and why is it important?:

He is a stern and serious, perhaps even angry. He says that if the families are caught fighting again, he will have them killed.

Comment on this speech in terms of the Elizabethan attitude toward the stars and astrology.

He says "some consequence in the stars" meaning that his fate is laid out by the stars.

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

He says the same thing about Juliet that he has said about Rosaline...she is the most beautiful person that he has ever seen and everyone else pales in comparison ot her.

When we first see Romeo he shows all the signs of a Petrarchan Lover—someone who is in love with the idea of being in love. How does Romeo act (lines 125-136)?:

He shuts himself in his room and draws the curtain, making a night/darkness for himself in the morning light (MOTIF: dark vs. light). He is upset and dramatic with his sadness instead of continuing to live life.

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

He starts it off with a fight in the Verona street.

Lines 64-65: Our first impression of Tybalt occurs in these lines. What do we learn about his character?

He tells Benvolio to turn and fight. This shows that he is aggressive and quick to fight.

What threat does Tybalt make as he agrees to withdraw?

He will hold on to his bitterness for another time.

Dramatic Irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not. What is ironic about Juliet's line 134?:

Her grave and her wedding bed will be the same. Her marriage will lead to her death.

Lines 16-19: On what condition will Lord Capulet agree to Juliet's marriage with Paris?

If he wins Juliet's heart then he has permission to marry her.

When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about being married, what is Juliet's answer (line 67), and what does it reveal about her character?

It is an honor that she dreams of not... she thinks the act of marriage is honorable, but hasn't considered it for herself.

We then learn that Romeo is suffering from Unrequited Love—He loves someone who doesn't love him back. What suggestions does Benvolio make to Romeo to help him get over is unrequited love for Rosaline (lines 221-223)?

Move on-look at other beauties (women)

Lady Capulet's lines 82-95 compose a conceit. A conceit is an extended, exaggerated comparison or metaphor between two unlike things—in this case, between Paris and a book that needs to be bound. What does Lady Capulet see in Paris that would make him a good match for Juliet? What is Lady Capulet's attitude toward love and marriage?

Paris is a great book but he is missing a cover. Once he marries Juliet, he will be complete. Their marriage will make Juliet a better person as well and her worth will go up.

In lines 92-105 Romeo and Juliet speak to each other. Their lines form a sonnet. Paraphrase the lines of the sonnet.

Romeo compares her to a shrine and his lips to two pilgrims. He asks for a kiss and she tells him saints use lip for prayer not kissing. She says saints also cannot move so Romeo moves to her for a kiss.

Why does Romeo agree to go to the party

So that he can see Rosaline.

How would you describe the nurse's personality?

Talkative, Outgoing, doesn't know when to stop talking.

The nurse and Lady Capulet are both excited and pleased by Paris' proposal but for different reasons. The nurse says Paris is "a man of wax" and at the end of the scene encourages Juliet to "Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days." What does the nurse see in Paris, and what does it reveal about her attitude toward love and marriage?

The nurse thinks Paris is the perfect looking man and that she should seek happiness with hi,. This suggests that she has a shallow view of love

What is the nurse's one wish for Juliet and why?

To see Juliet get married because she basically raised her.

What is the nurse's relationship with Juliet?

Very close-she nourished her as a child and gives her motherly advice even though she's a servant.

What themes or motifs are established in the Prologue?

You cannot escape fate. Family grudges lead to destruction.

who speakers the prologue?

chorus

what is the purpose of the prologue?

to introduce and tell you what is gling to heppen in the play

Why does Shakespeare tell us how the story is going to end?

to teach us a lesson-this family feud would not end and would continue to take the lives of everyone involved until some resolution was reached. Nothing but their children's death break the rage between the families