Characters
Who is Juliet's mother figure?
Nurse
Why does Tybalt challenge Romeo?
He saw Romeo crashing the Capulet party and grew angry.
"Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
- Juliet at her window thinking to herself after the party
Why are you Romeo?
"It is the East, and Juliet is the sun!"
- Romeo, Act 2 sc. 2
metaphor
True/False: Romeo and Juliet is a completely original play thought up by Shakespeare.
False: It is based on the ancient myth of Pyramus and Thisbe.
Who is Benvolio related to?
Romeo & the Montagues
Why does Romeo agree to go to the party?
He wants to see Rosaline.
"A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head."
- Prince at the end of the play after discovering and investigating the tragedy of Rome and Juliet
This morning is overcast, which is fitting for such an upsetting event. It's almost as if the sun himself is too sad to shine.
"O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of they breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty. Thou art not conquered. Beauty's ensign yet is crimson in they lips and in they cheeks, and death's pale flag is not advanced there."
- Romeo, Act 5 sc. 3
Dramatic Irony
If you were poor and only had a penny to buy a ticket to a play, where would you be "seated?"
You would stand in front of the stage for entirety of the play. These people were called "groundlings."
What is the relationship between Juliet and Tybalt?
Why couldn't Friar John deliver the letter to Romeo?
There was a sickness going around and he was quarantined. Thus he was not allowed to enter Mantua.
"I married them; and their stol'n marriage day was Tybalt's doomsday, whose untimely death banished the new-made bridegroom from this city. For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined."
-Friar Lawrence at the Capulet tomb speaking to the Prince
I officiated their wedding, which was the same day that Tybalt died. Tybalt's death resulted in Romeo being banished, which is why Juliet was so upset. She actually wasn't upset over Tybalt.
"Oh, she doth teach the torches to burn bright"
-Romeo, Act 1 sc. 5
hyperbole
What is the name of the theater associated with Shakespeare?
The Globe Theater
Why doesn't Rosaline want to be with Romeo?
She wants to become a nun.
At the end of the play what do the Montagues and Capulets pledge to do in honor of Romeo and Juliet's memory?
Build golden statues of them
"Why is not this better now than groaning for love? Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo..."
-Mercutio upon seeing Romeo the day after the party
Isn't it better to be single than to have a girlfriend? You're no longer upset. You're happy to mix with society and show off who you really are.
"O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day! Most lamentable day, most woeful day that ever ever I did yet behold! O day, O day, O day! O hateful day! Never was seen so black a day as this. O woeful day! O woeful day!"
-Nurse, Act 4 sc. 5
Repetition
If a noblewoman didn't marry, what was the only other option for her (most of the time)?
To become a nun.
Who is the kinsman of the Prince?
Mercutio
What reason does Paris give for wanting to fight Romeo outside the Capulet tomb?
Paris thinks Romeo is there to desecrate the graves.
"More validity, more honorable state, more courtship lives in carrion flies than Romeo. They may seize on the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand and steal immortal blessing from her lips...But Romeo may not, he is banished. Flies may do this but I from this must fly."
-Romeo to Friar Lawrence upon learning of his banishment
Flies have more honor and romance than I (Romeo) do. Flies can land on her hand or lips if they wanted to, but I cannot because I won't be here. I'm exiled! I have to fly (leave) unlike the lucky flies that get to stay here with Juliet.
"She'll not be hit with Cupid's arrow. She hath Dian's wit, and, in strong proof of chastity well armed, from Love's weak childish bow she lives uncharmed."
-Romeo, Act 1 sc. 1
Allusion
In the tradition of Ancient Greek theater, Romeo and Juliet begins not with a character, but with a ________________.
Prologue/Chorus