English 206—Literature and World History Name:

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William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Reading #1: Act 1, Scene 1

1. Which four words are used for creating a pun in the opening lines of the play. Give the definition of each of the words.

2. On the opening crude sex talk and innuendo between, Sampson and Gregory, why would Shakespeare put such characters and language into a play that is about love, not sex?

3. What does it mean to “bite your thumb” (1.1.43-52)? Which gesture today might be similar?

4. Restate Tybalt’s lines of 1.1.71-72 (“What, drawn, and talk of peace?…”) into your own words. What adjective would you use to describe your first impression of Tybalt?

5. Find the line(s) in the Prince’s speech that clearly states the punishment for the next Montague or Capulet who fights again in public.

6. In lines 134 to 145 (“Many a morning hath he there been seen…”), Montague describes the recent behavior of his son Romeo. How is Romeo acting?

7. Paraphrase Benvolio’s comment on love (1.1.174-175):

Alas that love, so gentle in his view,

Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!

8. Look up the word oxymoron if you are not sure of its meaning and write down five oxymorons appearing in Romeo’s speech in 1.1.176-188 (“Alas that love, whose view is muffled still…”)

9. In lines 226-232, Romeo confesses his problem to Benvolio. What is it? And what is Benvolio’s advice in line 233?

Reading #2: Act 1, Scenes 2-3 (1.2-1.3)

1.2

10. Find the line in the opening lines of conversation between Capulet and Paris in which Juliet’s age is mentioned.

11. What does Capulet say to Paris to postpone the young man’s suit of Juliet? Then briefly explain how in lines 12 and 13 Paris defends his pursuit and Capulet defends his decision.

12. Restate Capulet’s lines 1.2.17-18 into your own words:

But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart;

My will to her consent is but a part.

13. In lines 92-94 (“Go thither, and with unattainted eye…”), what is Benvolio’s plan for Romeo?

1.3

14. What words describe your first impression of the Nurse?

15. What extended metaphor is used for Paris in Lady Capulet’s speech of 1.3.85-94? (To what is he being compared?)

16. Paraphrase Juliet’s response to her mother in lines 103-105 (“I’ll look to like…”).

Reading #3: Act 1, Scene 4 (1.4)

1. In lines 19-22 (from “I am too sore enpierced with his shaft…), why is Romeo trying to get out of going to the ball? Whose shaft is he talking about?

a. Explain the pun in lines 56-57, with Mercutio and Romeo:

ROMEO

I dreamt a dream tonight.

MERCUTIO And so did I.

ROMEO

Well, what was yours?

That dreamers often lie. 56

ROMEO

In bed asleep while they do dream things true. 57

b. What does the exchange say about the way Mercutio and Romeo differ in their attitude toward dreams.

3. Sketch Queen Mab and her chariot. In lines 59 through 71, in the first part of this famous speech from the play, Mercutio describes the fairy Queen Mab, who gives people fanciful dreams. Gather the details of the description and sketch a picture of Queen Mab in her chariot while she’s on some sleeping person’s nose. In class, compare your sketch with sketches of other classmates.

4. List five examples of people who Mercutio mentions are visited by Queen Mab.

5. Find the line in Mercutio’s last speech of the scene where he most clearly expresses his opinion of dreams.

6. Restate in one sentence the general idea expressed by Romeo in his last speech of the scene (just before Benvolio says, “Strike, drum”). How does Romeo feel about dreams?

7. Find two important words from Romeo’s speech were seen also in the Prologue?

Reading #4: Act 1, Scene 5 (1.5)

8. In lines 51-60 (“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright”), Romeo’s first lines upon seeing Juliet,

a. find an example of alliteration, personification, and simile.

b. Look up hyperbole and briefly explain why line 51 is an example.

c. What is the rhyme pattern of the ten lines?

9. Which speech (and spoken by whom) earlier in the play is recalled by line 55, “So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows”? What is the meaning of line 55?

10. What is Tybalt’s initial plan for Romeo when he notices (lines 61 [“This, by his voice, should be a Montague”] through 67) the Montague at the party?

11. How does Capulet respond to Tybalt? In which two lines does Capulet mention Romeo’s reputation in the town?

12. Lines 104-117 (“If I profane with my unworthiest hand…”). What poetic form is represented in these fourteen lines? Can you describe briefly the extended metaphor employed in these lines?

13. When the Nurse explains to Juliet who it is that Juliet has just fallen for, Juliet responds, “My only love sprung…” (1.5.153-56).

a. Paraphrase Juliet’s words.

b. Why is this four-line response an example of foreshadowing?

Reading #5: Act 2, Prologue, Scenes 1 and 2

The Prologue

The Prologue

What noun is personified in the first line of the Prologue?

Find and write down two examples of alliteration (mark them in the text, too).

What or who are the references for “old desire” and “young affection”?

2.1

In Mercutio’s speech that begins at line 8 (“Nay, I’ll conjure too.”), which line convinces the audience that Mercutio is unaware of Romeo’s change of heart?

Benvolio, in lines 45-6: Go, then, for ‘tis in vain

To seek him here that means not to be found.

What are the literal and inferential meanings of this line?

2.2

What is the metaphor Romeo uses for Juliet in the opening speech of Scene 2?

Explain the simile he then uses in lines 19-21 (“The brightness…”)

Translate/Paraphrase:

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (2.2.36)

“That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.” (2.2.46-47)

“My life were better ended by their hate / Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.” (2.2.82-83)

What is Juliet concerned about in lines 99-102 (“If thou dost love…”)?

How does Romeo’s overhearing and then responding to Juliet’s private confession of love (she does not know that he is there, hence listening to her) affect the development of their relationship? That is, how would things progress if Romeo had never heard Juliet say she loves him?

What is Juliet’s concern in

lines 114-116 (“O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon…”)

line 125 (“It is too…”)

What is the lovers’ plan for the following day? (See lines 149-155)

Translate/Paraphrase Romeo’s lines: “Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, / But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.” (2.2.166-167)

What two figures of speech are represented in Juliet’s famous line, “Good night, Good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow”? (2.2.199)

Reading #6: Act 2, Scene 3 (2.3)

1. For Friar Lawrence’s opening speech (lines 1-31), answer the following:

a. What figure of speech is represented in line 1? Line 3? Line 5?

b. Paraphrase/Restate lines 9 and 10, “The earth that’s nature’s mother is her tomb; / What is her burying grave, that is her womb.”

c. Also paraphrase the message in lines 17-20, “For naught so vile…stumbling on abuse.”

d. Lines 28-29 (“Two such opposed kings…”) introduce the important metaphor of the speech. Explain.

2. What is Romeo’s request of Friar Lawrence in lines 65-68 (…When and where and how…”)

3. Paraphrase in one sentence Friar Lawrence’s chiding response to Romeo in lines 69-85 (“Holy Saint Francis…there’s no strength in men”).

4. Restate “Women may fall when there’s no strength in me” (2.3.85).

5. Friar Lawrence abruptly changes from chiding to supporting in lines 97-99 (“In one respect I’ll thy assistant be…”). What is his reasoning?

6. Paraphrase the famous line that ends the scene: “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”

7. Look at the final word in each line of the entire scene. What do you notice about the way in which the entire scene is written?

Reading #7: Act 2, Scenes 4-6 (end of Act 2)

2.4

What is apparently in the letter that Tybalt has sent to Romeo? (lines 7-8)

Give some examples of alliteration from Mercutio’s speech (around lines 14-23).

What word is played with in Mercutio’s taunting song to the Nurse in lines 136-141)?

After the playfulness of Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo, the Nurse finds Romeo. What does Romeo tell her about Mercutio in lines 149-151 (“A gentleman, Nurse, that loves…”)?

What warning does the Nurse give to Romeo in lines 168-170 (“Bur first let me tell you…”)?

In lines 183-186 (“Bid her devise…”), Romeo clarifies the plot. Explain. Also, what are “these cords” (line 192) to be used for?

2.5

What is Juliet waiting for (and complaining about) as the scene opens? Who is “lame”? What glides faster than “the sun’s beams”?

At which line does the Nurse finally give the Juliet the news that she’s been waiting for? Write it down.

2.6

How is foreshadowing expressed in Friar Lawrence’s lines from 9-15?

Reading #8: Act 3, Scene 1

Note at which line in the scene the form of speech changes from prose to poetry?

Write the line of Benvolio’s that shows his concern that something bad is about to happen.

In lines 46-47 (“Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo”), explain the pun Mercutio uses to tease Tybalt.

What does Benvolio mean in line 54, “Here all eyes gaze on us”?

Romeo’s lines 70-71: “But love thee better than thou canst devise / Till thou shalt know the reason of my love.” Why does Romeo suddenly love Tybalt?

(a) Find and write down the famous line that Mercutio repeats three times after being stabbed by Tybalt.

(b) Also, explain his pun, “And you shall find me a grave man.”

Paraphrase Romeo’s words in lines 118-120 (“O sweet Juliet,…”)

Find Romeo’s rhyming couplet on page 123 (between lines 109 and 134) that foreshadows the grim future.

“O, I am Fortune’s fool!” (3.1.142) Why?

Pleading before the Prince

Paraphrase how Lady Capulet reasons that Romeo should be killed for his action.

Paraphrase how Lord Montague reasons that Romeo’s life should be spared.

Line 199: “My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding.” About whom is the Prince speaking?

Write down the lines that reveal the Prince’s decision?

Reading #9: Act 3, Scenes 2 and 3

3.2

1. To whom is Juliet speaking in line 1, “Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds”? (That is, explain the classical allusion here.) For what is she waiting to arrive? Why?

2. News from the Nurse

a. Line 42: “Ah weraday, he’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead!” About whom is the Nurse speaking?

b. In lines 46-57 (“Romeo can / Though heaven cannot…”), there is a misunderstanding. Explain it.

c. What does Juliet mean in line 70, “What storm is this that blows so contrary?”

3. Juliet’s Response

a. Which figure of speech is best represented in lines 79-91 (“O serpent heart hid…”)? Paraphrase Juliet’s response.

b. In her next speech, beginning on line 100 (“Blistered by thy tongue…”), what is the change in her tone? Explain what she is saying.

c. Explain what Juliet means in “Back, foolish tears” (3.2.112) and “All this is comfort” (3.2.118)

d. Line 119: “Some word there was, worser than Tybalt’s death, / That murdered me.” What is the word Juliet means?

3.3

4. What is Romeo’s response to finding out he has been banished? Write down a line that best represents his response.

5. Line 67: “Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel.” What is Romeo saying to Friar Lawrence?

6. Line 118: “Hold thy desperate hand!” What is Romeo just about to do?

7. Paraphrase Friar Lawrence’s criticism of Romeo beginning with line 118 (“Art thou a man?…”).

8. In lines 145-151, what are the “pack of blessings” Friar Lawrence lists?

9. In lines 156-168 (“Go, get thee to thy love…”), paraphrase the friar’s plan for Romeo.

Reading #10: Act 3, Scenes 4 and 5

3.4

1. Paraphrase line 8 from Paris: “These times of woe afford no times to woo.” What is it to woo?

2. What is the “desperate tender” that Capulet plans to make to Juliet, to take place on Thursday (since Wednesday is too soon)? And why will there be such a small gathering?

3.5

3. As the scene opens, why does Juliet prefer the nightingale to the lark? According to Romeo, in line 6 (“It was the lark…”), what is the role of the lark?

4. Lines 9 and 10: “Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day / Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain-tops.” Explain which figures of speech are represented here.

5. What is Romeo’s point in lines 17 (“let me be put to death”) and 24 (“Come death and welcome”)?

6. In lines 35-36 (“O, now begone..,”), why are things darker as the day gets lighter? What does Juliet mean?

7. Write down the foreshadowing lines within lines 51 (“O, thin’st thou we shall ever meet again?”) and 59 (“…Adieu, adieu”).

8. In lines 60-64 (“O Fortune, Fortune, all men call thee fickle”), what is Juliet asking of Fortune? Why? What figures of speech are represented here?

9. In lines 71-76, how does Lady Capulet misunderstand Juliet’s grief?

10. Juliet Plays with Language:

a. Explain her pun in line 88: “And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart.”

b. Explain the possible double readings of lines 98-100: “Indeed, I never shall be satisfied / With Romeo till I behold him—dead— / Is my poor heart, so for a kinsman vexed.”

c. In lines 125-128, what is ironic about her plans to marry?

11. Backing up to lines 112-115 (“Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child…”), why, according to Lady Capulet, has her husband arranged the marriage so quickly for Juliet?

12. Note Lady Capulet’s rejection of her daughter in line 145, “I would the fool were married to her grave.” This is called dramatic irony (it is also foreshadowing). Why is the line ironic?

13. In lines 166-175 (“Hang thee, young baggage…”) and 203-207 (“An you be mine…”), Capulet gives Juliet a clear choice. What is it? What threat (promise?) does Juliet then make to her mother after her father leaves?

14. In lines 225-236, (“Faith, here it is…”), what is the Nurse’s advice to Juliet?

15. Line 253: “Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain.” What does Juliet mean?

Reading #11: Act 4, Scenes 1 and 2

4.1

1. Why does Paris not “know the lady’s mind”? Explain the allusion to Venus: “For Venus smiles not in a house of tears” (4.1.8)

2. What is “the reason of this haste” (4.1.15), as Paris explains in lines 11-14?

3. Juliet is playful with language in lines 19-37 with Paris. Explain the possible double reading of line 26: “I will confess to you that I do love him.”

4. In lines 51-55, what does Juliet want prevented? And what is her solution if there is no help?

5. For lines 61-66, explain the metaphor used for “this bloody knife.”

6. For lines 78-90, list at least three things that Juliet would prefer “rather than marry Paris” (78).

7. In lines 91-122, Friar Lawrence presents the plan. List briefly the details of the plan.

4.2

8. What is the sin that Juliet repents in lines 18-19? Paraphrase her comments to her father.

9. What act does Juliet play when she returns that makes her father so happy?

Reading #12: Act 4, Scenes 3-5

4.3

1. Knowing what you know of the plot, why does Juliet ask the Nurse to “leave me by myself tonight” (4.3.2)?

2. Line 24: “No, no, this shall forbid it. Lie thou there.”

a. What does this refer to?

b. What does it refer to?

3. Line 29: “I fear it is.” What is her fear, just mentioned in the above lines?

4. In lines 31-36 (“How if, when I am laid into the tomb…”), what is the fear that Juliet expresses here?

4.4

5. What time in the morning does the scene take place?

6. By the end of the short scene, Capulet tells the Nurse to wake up Juliet. What is Capulet’s plan for the day? What is Juliet’s?

7. Explain the value of comedy (the nutty servingmen) in this scene?

4.5

8. In lines 30-38, Capulet responds to Juliet’s apparent death first by using a simile and then personification. Find them and write them below.

9. Line 43: “…deflowred by him.” What does him refer to? Briefly explain the extended metaphor of lines 40-46.

10. Paraphrase/Restate Friar Lawrence’s comment in lines 83-84, “She’s not well married…”

Reading #13: Act 5, Scenes 1 and 2

5.1

1. Lines 6-12 (“I dreamt my lady came and found me dead…”) show Romeo foreshadowing something true and also not true. Wait until you finish the play and explain here how Mercutio’s interpretation of dreams appears to be correct.

2. Line 18: “Then she is well and nothing can be ill.” Why does Balthasar tell Romeo Juliet is “well”? How much does Balthasar know of the Friar’s plan?

3. In line 25, “Then I defy you, stars!” Romeo invokes fate once again. What does he mean in this line?

4. Balthasar’s words in line 28, “I do beseech you, sir, have patience,” recall which famous lines from Friar Lawrence in Act 2, Scene 3?

5. Paraphrase/Translate lines 38-39: “O mischief, thou art swift / To enter in the thoughts of desperate men.”

6. Why does Romeo believe that this apothecary will sell him the poison that is forbidden to sell in Mantua? (Look up the word penury.) What is the penalty to the seller?

7. Paraphrase/Translate lines 79-80:

APOTHECARY: My poverty, but not my will, consents.

ROMEO: I pay thy poverty and not thy will.

8. What does Romeo mean to say in line 88, “I sell thee poison; thou hast sold me none”?

5.2

9. According to Friar John in lines 5-12 (“Going to find a barefoot brother out…”), what happened that delayed his journey to Mantua to deliver the news of Friar Lawrence’s plan to Romeo?

10. Line 21: “Get me an iron crow and bring it straight / Unto my cell.” What is an “iron crow” and why does Friar Lawrence need it?

11. What is Friar Lawrence’s new plan, mentioned at the end of the scene?

Reading #14 (final reading): Act 5, Scene 3

5.3

1. Why does Paris come into the tomb? What does line 20 seem to say about his feelings? (Look up obsequy.)

2. In lines 22-32 (“Give me that mattock…”), What is likely written in the letter Romeo gives to Balthasar?

3. What does Romeo say is his chief task in going into the tomb?

4. In lines 49-53 (“This is that banished haughty Montague…”), why does Paris think that Romeo has come to the tomb?

5. What does Romeo mean in lines 61-62, “I do beseech thee, youth, / Put not another sin upon my head”?

6. Paraphrase/Translate the following:

· Lines 92-94, “Death, that hath sucked…conquered.”

· Lines 102-105, “Shall I believe…paramour.”

7. In lines 156-164, Friar Lawrence speaks to Juliet before she has noticed Romeo dead beside her. What are the Friar’s new plans? Why does he leave without her?

8. Explain “friendly drop” (168) and “happy dagger” (174). What does “this” refer to in line 175, “This is thy sheath”?

9. What is the Montague’s news of his wife in lines 218 and 219?

10. After the story is retold to the Prince by Friar Lawrence and Balthasar, the Prince tells Capulet and Montague in line 303, “…heaven finds a means to kill your joys with love”. What does he mean?

11. What is meant in line 304, “winking at your discords”?

12. What is Montague’s gift to Verona that will represent the families’ reconciliation?