Character Development
What state is Romeo in at the beginning of the play and why?
He was heartbroken because Rosaline did not love him back.
How does the theme of parental control show up in the play?
Montague's concern for heartbroken Romeo.
Capulet's control over Juliet's marriage arrangements.
Capulet's threats against Juliet if she doesn't marry Paris.
What happens after Mercutio monologues about Queen Mab and Romeo's dream.
They go to the party, where Romeo meets Juliet.
What does "bright" mean?
Beautiful.
Who is a plot device during the street fight that gets Romeo banished?
Tybalt
How does the way Juliet interacts with her parents change over the course of the plot?
She starts to become disobedient instead of always pleasing them out of politeness.
How does the theme of death develop over the course of the play?
Death starts off as the punishment for killing in the streets. Then, it becomes what breaks Romeo and Juliet apart. After, Romeo and Juliet become obsessed with it. Next, Juliet fakes her own death. The play ends in the unnecessary death of Romeo and Juliet.
What does the Nurse talk to Romeo in secret about?
His intentions to marry Juliet.
What is "exile"?
Banishment; being kicked out of the country
When Romeo leaves Juliet's room after he spent the night there, how is Juliet imagining him dead foreshadowing?
It sets the feeling that he will be dead the next time she sees him, which is true.
How does Friar Laurence's support for Romeo and Juliet change over time?
He originally helps them to end the feud, but ends up feeling like he has to clean up a mess he made.
How is the theme of impulsiveness present over the course of the play?
Romeo impulsively loves Juliet. They impulsively get married, then Romeo kills Tybalt. After, they impulsively follow a risky plan to live together. Then, they kill themselves impulsively.
Why is Capulet angry at Juliet at the end of Act 3?
She refuses to marry Paris, which is disrespectful to him.
What does "woe" mean?
To express sadness or misfortune
What is the dramatic irony at the end of the play?
The audience knows that Juliet is not dead, but Romeo doesn't and mistakenly kills himself for no reason.
How does Romeo's character change from the beginning of the play to the end?
Romeo starts off in a low, heartbroken state. After falling in love with Juliet, his life gets better, until he kills Tybalt. He struggles to stay safe and be with Juliet, until he reaches her in the tomb. He is at a low state as he depressingly sees her "dead", where he kills himself. So, in the beginning and end he is at a low, but in love, state.
How does the theme of fear advance the Friar's plan?
Fear of marrying Paris and Tybalt's ghost drives Juliet to take the potion in the vial after she wonders if being an inch from death is worth living with Romeo.
What part of the Friar's plan goes wrong?
The letter never makes it to Romeo.
What does "wherefore" mean?
What is Juliet's dagger a symbol of?
Her obsession with death.
Her impulsiveness.
The consequences of young love.
Fate and control of one's life.
How does Juliet's true characteristics unveil in the play?
Juliet starts off as a sarcastic, obedient teenager. She is attracted to Romeo, and quickly pursues him, without getting close to him first. She soon shows great, but secret devotion to him. She then becomes obsessed with her death, and that of others. When she finds Romeo dead, she kills herself- showing her impulsiveness. She is quick to act, focused on death, and extreme in her devotion.
How does the theme of gang rivalry affect Romeo and Juliet's relationship?
They are forced to marry in secret. Then, Juliet has to lie to her family to avoid punishment after Romeo's banishment. Next, Romeo's banishment and struggle to be with Juliet comes from the pressure of the rivalry. Their death's mark the consequences of having such a rivalry in the end.
Why is the Nurse responsible for Romeo and Juliet getting together in the first place?
She helps them send messages between them to organize their marriage.
What does "star-crossed lovers" mean?
People with a tragic love story
How do metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, and imagery impact the reading of the play?
They add extra emphasis to the points being made in scene.