Show:
Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V
100
What is the prologue an example of and what is its function?
The prologue is a sonnet. The prologue is designed to begin the play, identifying some of the important ideas that will be present in the play. The reference to Romeo and Juliet as "star-crossed lovers" means that they are destined or fated. It means they are doomed for tragedy.
100
The balcony scene is the most famous scene of the play. Give a brief summary of what happens.
Romeo and Juliet admit that they love one another and vow to marry.
100
Why does Mercutio say "a plague a' both your houses"?
He is dying because he tried to stop the fight between Tybalt and Romeo. Mercutio may be bitter because he dying because the Capulets and Montagues have a ridiculous feud.
100
Why does Juliet visit Friar Laurence? What does she want from him?
She seeks his help to avoid marrying Paris. She again threatens to kill herself if he cannot help her.
100
Why doesn't Romeo learn (as he was supposed to) that Juliet's death is temporary? What does Romeo actually hear and how does he respond?
Romeo's servant, Balthasar, brings the news of Juliet's death (having seen her laid in the tomb). Romeo never receives any news from the Friar, so he goes to the apothecary to buy poison (to kill himself).
200
Why is Romeo so unhappy at the start of the play?
He believes he is in love with Rosaline, but she does not love him.
200
After the balcony scene, why does Romeo go visit the Friar? What is the Friar discussing when Romeo first meets him? Why is this an example of foreshadowing?
Romeo wants the Friar to marry him to Juliet. The Friar is talking about the the powerful effects of plants and herbs and suggests they must be used carefully, or they can cause harm. His reference to the use of the plants foreshadows the tragic end of the play.
200
How does Romeo avenge the death of his friend, Mercutio? What is the result of this revenge?
Romeo fights with Tybalt, killing him. As a result, the Prince banishes Romeo from Verona.
200
What is Friar Laurence's plan for helping Juliet? How was this plan foreshadowed earlier?
Friar Laurence will prepare a potion that will make Juliet appear to be dead. That way, she will be placed in the vault (instead of having to marry Paris). From there, she can run away with Romeo. Friar Laurence's discussion of the harmful and helpful qualities of plants and herbs earlier foreshadows this moment.
200
Why did Romeo never receive the Friar's letter? What does Friar Laurence do when he hears this news?
Friar Laurence learns that Friar John was not able to deliver the letter because he was detained (having been possibly exposed to the plague). Friar Laurence hurries to the tomb--to be there when Juliet awakens.
300
In Act I, when Paris first asks for Juliet's hand in marriage, how does her father respond?
Capulet thinks Juliet is too young. He also wants Juliet to fall in love with Paris.
300
How does Friar Laurence respond to Romeo's request to marry the two lovers?
First, he teases him about his changing love (from Rosaline to Juliet), but then he changes his mind and marries the two because he hopes that their love will end the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues. However, he is worried that Romeo is moving too quickly.
300
When Juliet hears the Nurse crying about the fight, what is the first thing she learns?
The Nurse is saying "he's dead, he's dead," and Juliet assumes that she means Romeo--when it is really Tybalt to whom the Nurse refers.
300
What are the four fears that Juliet has before she drinks the potion?
1. It won't be strong enough and she will still have to marry Paris. 2. It will be a poison because she is worrying that the Friar may want to kill her. 3. That she will suffocate in the tomb if Romeo does not arrive soon enough. 4. That she will go crazy from fear; (the possibility of Tybalt's ghosts terrifies her).
300
When Romeo encounters Paris near the vault, why does he kill him?
Romeo is mad with grief and does not want anything to stop him from reaching Juliet.
400
After meeting at a party, Romeo and Juliet compose a sonnet (through their dialogue). In the sonnet, what do they compare themselves to in an extended metaphor?
In this extended metaphor, they compare themselves to a pilgrim and a saint.
400
What warning does the Nurse give to Romeo regarding Juliet? What does this warning reveal?
The Nurse tells Romeo not to trifle with Juliet's feelings. Her warning reveals the Nurse's love for Juliet, and her concern that Juliet is perhaps too young and too inexperienced. It also suggests that Juliet truly loves Romeo. She also informs him that Paris wants to marry Juliet.
400
How does Romeo respond to his banishment?
Friar Laurence tells Romeo that the banishment is mercy (because he is not sentenced to death). Romeo says that it is torture--not mercy--because he will be separated from Juliet. He even wants to kill himself.
400
How do Capulet and Lady Capulet respond when they discover that Juliet is "dead"? How does the Friar try to console them? What type of irony is present in this scene?
They are deeply grieved. The Friar tries to tell them that Juliet is better off in heaven. This is dramatic irony because the audience, Juliet, and the Friar are the only ones who know she is not truly dead.
400
Friar Laurence arrives after Romeo has drunk the poison, but before Juliet has awakened. Why doesn't he remain with her after she wakes? What does Juliet do after he leaves?
He is frightened to remain there. He has heard someone coming. She checks to see if any poison is left, kisses Romeo, and then stabs herself.
500
What is a foil? How is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?
A foil is a character who reveals another character's personality traits more clearly. Mercutio is the life of the party, while Romeo tends to be more moody and focused on his emotions. Mercutio is confident in contrast to Romeo.
500
Juliet says the Nurse is slow is returning from meeting with Romeo. Why is she so slow, according to Juliet?
Juliet believes the Nurse is so slow because she is old and does not understand the urgency of youth and love.
500
Why does Capulet change his mind and agree to have Juliet marry Paris sooner? What is Juliet's reaction?
Capulet believes that Juliet is grieving too much for her cousin, Tybalt, and that the marriage will cheer her. Juliet is in a panic. She threatens to kill herself if the ceremony isn't delayed. She no longer trusts her Nurse who suggests bigamy (two husbands) as a way out of the situation.
500
Juliet's parents had planned on a wedding, but now have to plan a funeral. What type of irony is this? When Capulet says ""death is my son-in-law," what literary element is being used?
The need to plan a funeral instead of a wedding is an example of situational irony. Capulet personifies death (referring to it as a greedy suitor).
500
What does the Friar reveal in his confession?
The Friar reveals that he married Romeo and Juliet, that Juliet was more grieved for Romeo's banishment than Tybalt's death, that he gave her the potion that only made her appear to be dead, and that her nurse knew about the marriage.