ROMEO AND JULIET
What information do we get from the start in the prologue ? ( 3 facts )
The setting ,two rival families and a couple who commit suicide because of then , and whose deaths open their parents' eyes on the stupidity of their enmity ...
Another fight starts in Verona between the young Capulets and the young Montagues. Why is this scene a turning point in the play ?
Mercutio ( Romeo's best friend ) is killed by Juliet's cousin , Tybalt and so Rome feels he has to avenge his friend and he kills Tybalt .
How does banished Romeo get to know about Friar Lawrence 's plan ?
The messenger who was supposed to bringFriar Lawrence's note about it arrives at Juliet's tomb too late and Romeo thinks that Juliet is really dead
the balcony scene is through a song called " tonight" .
What does it focus on ? do we have the same atmosphere as in the same scene in Romeo and Juliet ?
the night is protecting them from everything , it is their shelter , it's very special because it's their first " date " and it marks the beginning of something romantic and everlasting . By contrast , the night doesn't make Juliet feel any better , she is just scared of Romeo being killed , so it is not so romantic as in West Side Story
the two gangs/ families : how is their mutual hatred showed ?
it's actually young people who defend their families, claiming that theirs is better than the others but behind all this there are adults who are " feeding" this enmity . We can find a similar approach in West Side story but parents are not behind the rivalry , it's just them
Where does the meeting between Romeo and Juliet take place ?
At a ball at the Capulets '
So what happens to Romeo after he kills Tybalt ?
The Prince banishes Romeo .
What happens when Romeo finds Juliet lying in the vault ( caveau) ?
He drinks a lethal potion he got from an apothicary
How are Riff and Bernardo related to Tony and Maria ?
Riff is the leader of the Jets and Tony's best friend WHEREAS Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks and maria's brother
How is the theme of revenge shown in the two plots ?
what impact does it have on the avengers ?
in both plots it's the male lover who defends his family or gang out of respect .For both avengers , it puts them in a very difficult situation, one killing his lover's cousin and the other killing his lover's brother . That's terrible
Does Romeo manage to pass unnoticed at the Capulets' ball ?
No, despite his mask he is recognized by Tybalt, Juliet's cousin but Juliet's mother prevents him from making a scene
Of course, Juliet is devastated both by his cousin's death but also her husband's banishment . Her parents make a big decision for her to " cheer her up " . what is it ?
They organize Juliet's wedding with Count Paris
What happens when Juliet wakes up from her " fake" death
She stabs herself. ( elle se poignarde)
What tragic event occurs during a fight ?
Bernardo kills Riff ..
Expand on the theme of prejudice in both plots ?
The theme of prejudice is at the heart of West Side Story , the Jets hate the new migrants . As for Shakespeare's play , it's more the lovers' parents' stupidity that is highlighted the influence they have on the youths on the streets , fightin a battle that doesn't really exist as the two families make up at the end . ( make up : ici , se reconcilier )
Compare the lovers' attitude on the balcony
Romeo is not aware of how dangerous it is to be here while Juliet feels very uncomfortable. She doesn't want to be killed by her family
Why can't Juliet marry Count Paris ?
For one thing she is not in love with him and for another she is already married to Romeo and her parents don't know it and of course she can't tell her parents ...
How do we feel the importance of belonging from the start of the prologue ?
WE are clearly presented with two gangs who claim ( revendiquent ) their identity, their territory and who show their hate for each other
How does Tony react the situation ?
He feels he has to avenge his friend , so he kills Bernardo .
Characterize Juliet
although she looks like an innocent young woman she is clear-minded and reasonable , at least at the beginning .. and then she gets carried away by Romeo's enthusiasm
how does Friar Lawrence help the couple ?
He organizes a secret marriage between Juliet and Romeo
How does Friar Lawrence manage to find a solution to prevent this marriage ?
Friar Lawrence. a" special potion " to make Juliet appear dead . Actually the effects of potion are just temporary
Describe the meeting scene
They are actually in the middle of ball, the two gangs are dancing on each side and suddenly a couple meet and it is as if they were the only ones in the place, enjoying the moment and forgetting the rivalry
What does Tony have to do after he kills Bernardo ?
He has to leave and hide .
what do you think of Friar Lawrence ?is there any equivalent to Friar Lawrence in West Side Story ?
He tries to be helpful but we can't really blame him for the lovers' deaths. How could he imagine that Romeo wouldn't get the news of Juliet's death in time , all he wanted was for this love to work ..
there is no real equivalent to Friar Lawrence because there was no planned wedding to stop ..