Romeo and Juliet
What does Romeo compare Juliet to in the balcony scene?
The sun
What is Hamlet’s plan to find out if Claudius is guilty?
Get players to perform a scene that mimics Claudius killing Hamlet’s father, and see how Claudius reacts (ie. if he looks guilty while watching the performance).
Why does Roderigo give Iago money and jewels?
He thinks Iago is setting him up with Desdemona
Who is outside of the castle when King Duncan is murdered?
What do Prospero and Ariel set out as bait for Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano?
“Glistening apparel” (also acceptable: fancy clothes, etc.)
Why does Romeo hate his own last name?
Because his “name” is Juliet’s enemy (aka their families)
Why does Ophelia, supposedly, go mad?
Hamlet murders her father
What item does Iago use to convince Othello that Desdemona is cheating?
A handkerchief
Who commits suicide at the end of the play and why?
Lady Macbeth, guilt
What is the final task Prospero orders Ariel to perform?
To ensure they have calm seas for their return.
Why is Friar John unable to deliver Friar Lawrence's message?
Friar John has to go into quarantine
What convinces Getrude that Hamlet is mad?
After he stabs Polonius, Hamlet is talking to the ghost of his father, who she can’t see.
Who says this line, and who are they saying it to and why - “But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born on itself.”
Emilia to Desdemona, warning her about Othello being jealous
Why does Macbeth want to kill Banquo’s family? Why does he want to kill Macduff’s family? Explain.
Banquo - the prophecy that his family will be kings
Macduff - the witches said “beware Macduff” so he sees him as a threat/wants to demoralize him into submitting defeat (bonus: anything about losing honor by killing the family and not just Macduff)
What has caused Prospero to seek revenge?
Antonio and Alonso betrayed him (usurped him); that is why he has been stuck on the island.
Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Juliet and Romeo even though it’s illegal?
He believes it will bring the Capulets and Montagues together.
How do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern die?
Hamlet switches out the letter the king gives them, so rather than killing Hamlet, they kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
How does Desdemona respond to her father's confrontation about her marriage to Othello?
Desdemona states that she is in love with Othello, and that she will honor him as her husband and choose him over her father, just as her mother did
What are the three promises/predictions from the witches that make Macbeth think he is invincible?
Moving woods, no man born of woman can kill him, he thinks Macduff is dead
Name three major themes throughout the play.
Justice/revenge, power/obedience, men/monsters, etc.
Find an example of metaphor or simile in the text and explain its meaning and importance in the scene/play
(Multiple possibilities) Note the Act, Scene, and Lines
What conclusion does Hamlet come to in the fifth act at the graveyard, in reference to the skulls?
It doesn’t matter a person’s importance in life, or their unimportance, everyone ends up the same, as dirt and worm food.
Why did Othello stab Iago with intentions to wound not to kill?
Because Othello believed that "tis happiness to die", and that allowing him to live and be imprisoned will be a greater punishment
Explain what is happening in the scene that contains the following quote: “...Out, out, brief candle!\Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player\That struts and frets his hour upon the stage\And then is heard no more…”
Lady Macbeth has just killed herself and Macbeth is mourning her while questioning all of the choices that have brought him to the current events.
Explain what is happening in the scene that contains the following quote: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."
Prospero is giving Fernando and Miranda his blessing to be married, including a celebration