General Info
When & Where does 'Romeo & Juliet' take place?
Verona, Italy / 1580s
What does "biting your thumb" mean?
Flipping someone off
What major event happens at the end of Act 2?
Romeo and Juliet get married in secret
What is the root cause of Mercutio's death?
Romeo would not fight Tybalt, so Mercutio steps in for him
Why does Capulet ask Paris to wait to marry Juliet?
She is too young
What is the central conflict of 'Romeo & Juliet'?
The feud between the Capulet and Montague families
Which choice about Juliet's future has her father made for her in act 1 scene 2?
She will eventually marry Paris
Why is Friar Lawrence hesitant to help Romeo & Juliet get married?
He thinks that they are moving too fast.
Why won't Romeo fight Tybalt, and why can't he explain it to him in the moment?
Romeo and Tybalt are now family through marriage, but Romeo's marriage to Juliet still is a secret
Why do Capulet and Paris think that a wedding would be good in act 3?
Juliet needs something to cheer her up
Why doesn't Juliet get to have more say over who she marries?
She is a girl
What happens if the families are caught fighting again, AND why might it be important to remember this for later?
Death penalty to all involved, this will be important to remember in act 3
What does Friar Lawrence's warning "Violent delights may lead to violent ends..." mean?
If they aren't careful, their passionate love may have harsh consequences
What are the two meanings of "grave man"?
Dead / upset
Why does Capulet let Romeo stay at the party in act 1?
Romeo isn't causing any problems, and people like him a lot. Capulet does not want to upset people.
What is an Allusion?
Reference to other symbol or story
Before they kiss, Romeo compares Juliet to something, what is it?
A saint
What does the following quote mean: "Oh, Romeo, Romeo! Why are you Romeo?"
Juliet is upset that Romeo is a Montague and wants to know why he couldn't have been from any other family.
What is the conflict between Juliet and her parents about at the end of act 3?
They have arranged her wedding to Paris, she refuses, they threaten to disown her if she does not marry Paris.
Where is Romeo going to live during his banishment?
Mantua
What does the prologue do for readers at the start of the story?
What is the major disagreement between Romeo and Mercutio in Act 1, AND what does this argument foreshadow?
Whether dreams are real or not, Romeo had a dream that going to the Capulet party will lead them all down a dangerous path (death and such)
Both Romeo and Juliet express a willingness to do something drastic if needed in order to be together. What are they willing to do?
Renounce their family names
What reason might Escalus have had to go easy on Romeo after he killed Tybalt?
Mercutio was his cousin, and Romeo was avenging his murder.
Why does Juliet not fill the nurse in on her plans at the end of act 3?
The nurse told Juliet to marry Paris, so Juliet is upset with her and thinks she is a traitor.