May I have a word?
Someone who shows disrespect, or who is irreverent is a __________.
Profaner
Who is Prince Escalus? With what does he threaten Capulet and Montague?
He is the authority in Verona and he tells the Montagues and Capulets that if they do not stop fighting, they shall pay with their lives.
Explain the pun Shakespeare uses with "soles" and "souls."
Answer must include a statement about Romeo being heart sick and his soul's heaviness contrasted with Mercutio being light on his feet, his "soles" with dancing.
What is one example of foreshadowing in Act 1?
Answers will vary. Could relate to Romeo's fears about what will happen at the feast.
In the Prologue, Shakespeare writes, "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny." What does he mean here?
There will be new rebellion, new fighting that will come out of the old feud between the Capulets and the Montagues.
If someone steals from a story, they have committed a ____________.
transgression
Who is Rosaline?
The woman Romeo loves, but who does not return his feelings.
Explain the metaphor below and the context for it.
"Read o're the volume of young Paris' face, / And find delight writ there with beauty's pen; / Examine every married lineament, / And see how one another lend content; / And what obscured in this fair volume lies / Find written in the margent of his eyes...To beautify him only lacks a cover."
Lady Capulet utters these lines when trying to convince Juliet to consider Paris as a husband. He is described as a beautiful book. He has it all, but he lacks a "cover," meaning a wife. Once he has that, he will be complete.
Explain two ways that Shakespeare has woven ideas of "fate" into Act I.
The prologue mentions fate, and Romeo's line about "he that hath the steerage of my course" indicates a sense of fate, that something is outside of their hands.
Explain two ways that Shakespeare develops the Nurse's characterization. Why does he make those choices?
Those who do not conform or who reject certain rules or religious beliefs are called _________.
heretics
Describe Tybalt's personality, and provide text evidence.
He is a fiery, aggressive individual. Evidence will vary.
Explain the play on words between Romeo and Benvolio with "mark" in Act I, scene i.
Benvolio says he "aimed" so near when he guessed that Romeo was in love. Romeo calls him a "markman." Benvolio then calls the woman Romeo loves a "fair mark" to "hit." The play on words here shows a sense of attack, or marking and aiming. Benvolio and Romeo seem to believe love can be problematic when the "target" doesn't share the same feelings.
In Act I, scene i, when talking to Benvolio, Romeo uses phrases like "feather of lead," "bright smoke," "cold fire," and "sick health." What purpose do these phrases serve?
They are contradictions. He juxtaposes these things in order to express how love can be a contradiction. It is supposed to be sweet and gentle, but can be "tyrannous and rough in proof."
Answers will vary
If Rosaline does not marry, Romeo says she "cuts beauty off from all _________." What is the word, and what does it mean in relation to this line?
Posterity
Explain Benvolio's character and his role in Act I. Provide text evidence to support your answer.
He is a good, dear friend of Romeo's who is more level headed than Tybalt. He is someone who wants to keep the peace and stop the fighting.
Explain the play on words in the lines below:
"Came more and more, and fought on part and part, / Till the prince came, who parted either part."
The "part and part" means side and side (Montague and Capulet). The word "parted" means separated. So he separated the parties - parted either part.
How does Shakespeare weave in some humor (a bit of comic relief) in Act I, scene v?
Answers will vary. Some reference may be made to the scene with the servingmen in the kitchen.
In scene iv (page 310) there is a back and forth between Romeo and Mercutio. What do the short lines and the word play suggest about their relationship?
They like to banter with each other. They are both very quick-witted and like to have fun as close friends do.
Pernicious. Their rage is destructive and has a harmful effect on the people of Verona.
How would you characterize Capulet given his conversation with Paris?
He is a loving, caring father who, rather than simply giving his daughter in marriage, wants to respect her wishes.
Explain the "palm" and "palmers" in Act 1, scene v.
"Palmers" are pilgrims, and "palms" is used as palm leaves as well as hands. The play on words in this scene between Romeo and Juliet is rather flirtatious and leads to their kiss - "lips do what hands do!"
In Act I, scene v, Tybalt states, "I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall, / Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall." What does he mean? What potential conflict does this create?
Answers will vary.
Benvolio said that he would show Romeo his "swan" is a "crow" when he would introduce him to other women. At the Capulet party, Romeo sees Juliet and says, "So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows / As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows." Though Benvolio didn't introduce Romeo to Juliet, his statement came to fruition.