Romeo's cousin and a peacemaker who tries to stop the opening street brawl.
Who is Benvolio?
The Prologue describes the central conflict between the two families as this.
What is an 'ancient grudge'?
The opening prologue of the play uses this celestial reference to describe the lovers, suggesting their destiny was written in the cosmos before they ever met.
What is "Star-crossed"?
In the iconic balcony scene, Romeo asks "what light through yonder window breaks?" and decides that Juliet is this celestial body.
What is the sun?
Tybalt seeks revenge against Romeo primarily because Romeo committed this "insult" to the Capulet family.
What is attending the Capulet party uninvited? (Also acceptable: What is "crashing" the feast?)
Juliet’s "fiery cousin" who recognizes Romeo at the ball and later kills Mercutio.
Who is Tybalt?
Thinking his friend was a coward for not fighting Tybalt, this character steps in to defend Romeo’s honor and dies cursing "both your houses."
Who is Mercutio?
Before entering the Capulet party, Romeo expresses a "fear" that some consequence "yet hanging in ______".
What are "the stars"?
As the lovers part at daybreak, they argue over whether they hear the Nightingale, which sings at night, or this bird, which signals the "envious" morning light.
What is the Lark?
In the garden, Juliet insists that this specific part of a person—their family title—is not a "hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face," and should be traded for love.
What is a name?
A relative of the Prince and close friend to Romeo, known for his "Queen Mab" speech and his casual attitude.
Who is Mercutio?
Friar Laurence notes that both "poison hath residence and medicine power" within this specific type of plant, mirroring the play’s dual nature of love and hate.
What is a flower?
The "fate" of the lovers was sealed when this man was unexpectedly quarantined due to a plague outbreak, preventing the delivery of Friar Laurence’s letter.
Who is Friar John?
Juliet tells her nurse that if Romeo is already married, her "grave is like to be" this, showing how quickly her thoughts jump from romance to mortality.
What is her wedding bed?
Lord Capulet threatens to do this to Juliet if she refuses to marry Paris.
What is disown her? (Also acceptable: What is cast her out?)
Juliet’s primary confidante who has cared for her since she was a baby.
Who is The Nurse?
Juliet laments: "My only love sprung from my only..."
What is 'only hate'?
This literary term, suggests that fate is constantly giving the characters (and the audience) warnings they choose to ignore.
What is foreshadowing?
Friar Laurence offers Juliet a vial that will produce a "borrowed likeness of shrunk death" for exactly this many hours.
What is 42? (Forty-two hours).
This character's death is attributed specifically to "grief of my son's exile."
Who is Lady Montague?
The friar who marries the couple in secret to end the family feud.
Who is Friar Lawrence?
Lord Capulet insists Paris must do this to Juliet's heart before he will consent.
What is 'win' her heart or "woo her"?
After killing Tybalt, Romeo shifts blame rather than his own temper, crying out, "O, I am"_______ "fool!"
Who is Fortune? (Acceptable: "What is Fortune's fool?")
Gazing at Juliet in the tomb, Romeo notes that "death’s pale flag is not advanced" in her face, unaware that her beauty remains because she is actually alive.
What is her "crimson" (or red) lips and cheeks?
Driven by a "desperate" love, Romeo slays this character in the churchyard just moments before entering the Capulet tomb to die.
Who is Count Paris?