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The Tragedy of
Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
Study Guide – English 9B
Name___________________________
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Introduction to Shakespeare: Viewing Guide
Shakespeare’s friend and peer Ben Jonson described Shakespeare as “not for an ________ but for
__________ time.”
Shakespeare’s Life and Times: A TIMELINE
Directions: Fill in the missing pieces of information in the timeline below.
1564 Born in ____________________________, England on April 23.
1589 Shakespeare settles in ____________________ and writes his first plays:
Richard the ________________, The __________________ of Errors, Titus Andronicus, The Taming of the
__________________, and Henry the Sixth Parts _______, _______, and ______.
1592 All theaters closed for two years due to an outbreak of the plague. Shakespeare writes two book-length
poems: “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.”
1594
Yippee! Theaters re-open and Shakespeare is back writing for the stage.
Shakespeare completes:
Love’s Labour’s ________________, Romeo and ____________________,
Richard the ____________________, and ____________________ John.
1596-1603
Shakespeare writes his sonnets.
Shakespeare writes The Merchant of Venice, Henry the Fifth, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night.
1603
Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603.
King James becomes the new ruler of England.
1603-1608
Shakespeare writes the _______________________ Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, and Cleopatra.
1608-1613
Shakespeare writes his last plays, including A Winter’s _____________________ and The Tempest.
Shakespeare decides it’s time to live the good life, so he retires and moves back to Stratford.
1616-1623
Shakespeare dies on his birthday, April 23, at the age of 52.
First Folio of Shakespeare’s works is published in 1623.
Shakespeare’s Use of Language: Fill in the term that matches each definition.
1. ___________________ ___________________ --a poetic form that usually uses a metrical pattern
known as unrhymed iambic pentameter.
2. ____________________--the use of a regular rhythm pattern in language.
3. ____________________--a concentrated and heightened form of language, produced through rhythm
and sound.
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4. ____________________--the language of everyday, ordinary speech.
5. ____________________--a unit of speech that contains one unstressed syllable followed by a
stressed syllable.
6. ____________________ ____________________--a poetic form that consists of five iambs.
Shakespeare used this form in his plays to mimic the natural rhythms of the English language.
7. The line “Ă horse, ă horse, my kingdom for ă horse!” is written in perfect ___________________
_______________________.
Elizabethan Drama
Globe Theater
Importance of Words
• Shakespeare’s plays are primarily verbal, not visual.
• Shakespeare used words to express the setting and
mood of his dramas
• Modern dramas are primarily visual
Real Life vs. Stage Life
• Characters in a Shakespeare play are understood to
be characters that represent real people—not real
people
• Modern dramas suggest that everything is real,
especially the place and the people
• Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, wrote The Poetics,
in which he spelled out his ideas on tragedy
• Aristotle described stage life as an “illusion”
• Aristotle described tragedy as an “imitation of an
action”
Symbolic Art
• Shakespeare was influenced by Medieval Art
• Medieval Art was deeply symbolic
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Shaped like an “O”
Penthouse—tower attached to the roof
Pit—center area where groundlings watched the
plays
Stage of theater extended into audience, with a
trapdoor in the middle
Viewing Questions
1. Where did Shakespeare grow up?
2. Why were plays performed during the day?
3. Where were many of Shakespeare’s plays first performed?
4. Who/What are the groundlings? Describe.
5. What are three ways to gain information on a character?
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Tragedy (info from pages 690-693 in textbook)
According to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, a tragedy is a play about a person of high social
standing who suffers a fall from good fortune.
Elements that define tragedy
1. Plot – what happens in a play
• Romeo & Juliet – centers on Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love at first sight at a masked ball. Since
they belong to rival families (the Montagues and the Capulets), they must keep their love a secret.
The rivalry soon erupts into violence.
2. Diction/Language/Dialogue – the playwright’s word choices and the actors’ enunciation while
delivering their lines
3. Music/Rhythm – not music as we think of it, but rather the sound, rhythm, and melody of the speeches
• Romeo & Juliet – most characters speak in blank verse, or unrhymed iambic pentameter. (Iambic
pentameter means that there are 10 syllables per line, and every second syllable is stressed.)
4. Theme – what a play means, as opposed to what happens
5. Spectacle – the scenery, costumes and special effects in a play
• Romeo & Juliet – sword fights, a masked ball, a secret exchange upon a balcony, a tragic death scene
6. Character – the person an actor represent in a play; protagonist is the central character, and antagonist
is the character who opposes the central character; tragic hero is the person born into nobility and
responsible for his/her own fate, but he/she has the potential for greatness but is doomed to make one or
more serious errors in judgment; this serious errors are usually due to a tragic flaw.
• Romeo & Juliet – Romeo is the tragic hero, and his tragic flaw is that he is blinded by his love for
Juliet; therefore, he behaves rashly.
Dramatic devices to reveal a character’s feelings or thoughts
• Monologue – a character speaks directly to another character or to himself/herself
• Soliloquy – a character speaks his/her innermost thoughts when no other characters are on stage
• Aside – a character says something to the audience that the other characters are not supposed to hear
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
The Globe, which opened in 1599, was a circular building that had three levels of covered galleries. A
platform stage about 40 feet wide projected into an open courtyard, where people who paid the lowest
admission could stand and watch the play. Admission to the gallery benches cost about twice as much.
Wealthy people paid to sit in the “lord’s room,” the part directly over the stage. In all, Shakespeare’s theater
could accommodate 3,000 people. The stage had trapdoors for the entrance and exit of actors playing ghosts
or other supernatural characters. At the back of the main stage was a small curtained inner stage used for
indoor scenes. Above this stood a two-tiered gallery. The first tier was used to stage bedroom or balcony
scenes; the second to house musicians. Sound effects were produced in a hut on top of the stage roof. All
performances took place in the afternoon because there was no artificial lighting. The stage was mostly bare.
There were few props and no movable scenery. Therefore, Shakespeare had to rely on descriptive language
to help audiences visualize the setting. Shakespeare’s characters also wore extravagant clothing. Boy actors
played an important role, as it was considered immoral for women to appear on stage.
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Introduction to Act 1 – p. 695
Before you read
CONNECTING TO THE STORY – ORAL DISCUSSION
1. Do you believe that teenagers can fall as deeply in love as adults can? Explain.
2. How would you help a friend who was depressed as a result of unrequited love? Explain.
READ BUILDING BACKGROUND (p. 695)
LITERARY ELEMENTS
1. Define sonnet.
2. Define couplet.
3. Define foil.
4. Define oxymoron. Give an example.
5. Define metaphor. Give an example.
6. Define simile. Give an example.
7. Define personification. Give an example.
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FAMILY RELATIONS
The Montagues
Romeo
Lord Montague – Romeo’s dad
Lady Montague – Romeo’s mom
Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin & friend
Balthasar – Romeo’s servant
Abram – a servant
The Capulets
Juliet – 13-year old girl
Lord Capulet – Juliet’s dad
Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mom
Tybalt – Juliet’s cousin
Old Man – elderly relative of family
Nurse – Juliet’s caretaker since infancy
Peter – Nurse’ servant
Sampson – a servant
Gregory – a servant
Others
Chorus – actor who speaks directly to audience to introduce play
Prince Escalus – ruler of Verona
Count Paris – relative of the prince & suitor to Juliet
Mercutio – relative of prince & Romeo’s friend
Friar Lawrence – Catholic priest & a pharmacist
Apothecary – pharmacist
Friar John – priest
Page – servant to Paris
Many others
SETTING
Italy in the cities of Verona and Mantua during the 14th century
Act 1 – p. 698
Before we read
CHOOSING ROLES
Scene 1
Chorus
Sampson
Gregory
Abram
Balthasar
Benvolio
Tybalt
Citizens
Lord Capulet
Lady Capulet
Lord Montague
Lady Montague
Prince Escalus
Romeo
Scene 2
Lord Capulet
Paris
Servant
Benvolio
Romeo
Scene 3
Lady Capulet
Nurse
Juliet
Servingman
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Scene 4
Romeo
Benvolio
Mercutio
Scene 5
First Servingman
Second Servingman
Anthony
Potpan
Lord Capulet
Second Capulet
Romeo
Tybalt
Juliet
Nurse
Benvolio
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The Prologue of Act one
Two households,
both alike in dignity
(In fair Verona,
where we lay our scene),
From ancient grudge
break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands
unclean.
From forth the fatal loins
of these two foes
a pair of star-crossed lovers
take their life;
Whose misadventured
piteous overthrows
Doth with their death
bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage
of their death marked love
And the continuance
of their parents’ rage,
Which, but their children’s end,
naught could remove,
is now the two hours’ traffic
of our stage;
The which, if you
with patient ears attend,
What hear shall miss,
our toil shall strive to mend.
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After we read – Act 1
QUESTIONS – These do NOT need to be complete sentences.
ACT 1, SCENE 1
1. What contrast do you see between Gregory and Sampson? (lines 1-30)
2. Summarize the prince’s words (lines 76-98) to the crowd.
3. In line 163, what do we learn about why Romeo is distraught?
4. Give three examples of oxymoron from Romeo’s speech (lines 166-178).
5. What vows has the woman that Romeo loves taken (lines 203-211)? List three.
6. What is Benvolio’s advice (lines 222-223)?
ACT 1, SCENE 2
1. Obviously, there is a feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, but what are Lord Capulet and Paris
discussing about the feud in lines 1-6?
2. What does Lord Capulet suggest Paris do about getting married to Juliet (lines 7-11)?
3. The servant on page 707 is a foil to Lord Capulet and Paris. How does the servant provide contrast to
those two characters?
4. What cure does Benvolio suggest for Romeo’s lovesickness (lines 45-50)?
5. In line 55, Romeo says, “Shut up in a prison, kept without my food.” This is an example of a metaphor.
What is Romeo’s prison, and what is his food?
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6. Fate plays an important part in Romeo and Juliet. How is that evident by the servant meeting Romeo and
Benvolio?
7. What is the name of the woman who has rejected Romeo’s love?
8. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to go to the party (lines 81-86)?
9. Why does Romeo agree to go to the party (lines 99-100)?
ACT 1, SCENE 3
1. How do the Nurse and Lady Capulet feel about Juliet marrying Paris (lines 69-76)?
2. What is Juliet’s response to her mother’s insistence that she think about marrying Paris (lines 97-99)?
3. With what type of rhymed verse does Shakespeare end this scene?
ACT 1, SCENE 4
1. What are Benvolio and Mercutio trying to convince Romeo to do at the beginning of the scene?
2. How does Mercutio’s attitude and energy level differ from Romeo’s (lines 11-32)?
3. Mercutio tells of Queen Mab (lines 53-95). Describe Queen Mab and explain what she does.
4. Lines 96-103, Mercutio uses a metaphor, a simile and personification. What is the metaphor? What is the
simile? What is an example of personification?
5. In lines 106-113, what does Romeo reveal about a premonition that he had?
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ACT 1, SCENE 5
1. Summarize what Lord Capulet is saying in lines 14-37.
2. What attracts Romeo to Juliet (lines 42-51)?
3. Why does Tybalt send for his sword (line 53) during the party?
4. What does Lord Capulet tell him?
5. What is Tybalt’s reaction?
6. What attracts Juliet to Romeo (lines 95-98)?
7. What is Romeo’s reaction to the news that his new love is a Capulet (lines 116-119)?
8. What is Juliet’s reaction to the news that her new love is a Montague (lines 136-139)?
END OF ACT QUESTIONS
1. How does love affect Romeo throughout Act 1?
2. Which character serves as a foil to Lady Capulet? Why?
3. Which character serves as a foil to Tybalt? Why?
ACT 1, SUMMARY OF SCENES
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
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ACTIVITIES (Choose one)
1. Write a scene. You are going to write Act 1, Scene 6. Imagine that Juliet speaks to Rosaline after the
party. Write a scene in which they discuss what they think about Romeo. Feel free to invent details but make
sure that your dialogue for Juliet is consistent with her character in the play. Base Rosaline’s dialogue on
Romeo’s descriptions of her attitude toward him. This must be set up just like it is in the book. Don’t forget
to use language and dialogue consistent with Shakespeare’s writing. However, you do not have to rhyme.
Make sure the scene ends logically. You can add other characters. You must include both Rosaline and Juliet
speaking at least four times each.
Words you may use
thou – you (Do thou believe me?)
doth – does (He doth think you are funny.)
thee – you (I don’t believe thee.)
ay – yes (Ay, the girls are ready for the game.)
thy – the/your (Thy love is strange.)
hath – has (She hath invited Jimmy to the party.)
ere – before (Ere we go, we will clean the room.)
Example (It has nothing to do with Romeo and Juliet. I am only showing you how it should be set up.)
Scene 6. Immediately following the baseball game. In the visiting dugout.
[The star player Steve approaches the seldom-used Tommy, who just knocked in the winning run.]
STEVE: Tommy, you really saved the day.
TOMMY: Thanks, Steve. I was so nervous up there, but I owe it all to you because you have been
the only person who has believed in me all year. Even at the beginning of the season when I
could barely hit, you were the one who encouraged me…
2. Create a mask. You’ve just been invited to Capulet’s feast. A mask is part of the dress code, so you will
need to make a mask right away. Does it have to be artistic? No. Does it have to be complicated? No. Does it
have to be pretty? Only if you want it to be. The Mask should be a reflection of you, your interests, talents,
etc. Have fun with this activity! Use any materials you already have on hand at home.
Suggested materials
Cardboard
Felt
Fabric Scraps
Construction Paper
Fly Tying Supplies
Feathers
Crayons
Macaroni
Markers
Magazine pictures
Sequins
Ribbon
Glitter
Stickers
Hardware Supplies
Yarn/string
Paint
Aluminum foil
Tissue Paper
Scrapbooking supplies
Design suggestions: animals, insects, flowers, geometric shapes, moon, stars, planets, picture collages, etc.
Step 1 – Draw your mask on cardboard and cover the front with felt, construction paper, or another material
of your choice. If you don’t have any cardboard, cut several copies of your mask out of construction paper
and glue the layers together for added strength.
Step 2 – Decorate your mask.
Step 3 – Punch holes in the sides and attach strings.
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Introduction to Act 2 – p. 722
Before you read
CONNECTING TO THE STORY – ORAL DISCUSSION
In this play, the relationship of two people in love is complicated by the opinions of their families.
1. What do individuals owe to their families? Explain.
2. In the present day and time, to what groups or ideals are people expected to show loyalty? Explain.
READ BUILDING BACKGROUND (p. 722)
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Define aside.
Act 2 – p. 698
Before we read
CHOOSING ROLES
Scene 1
Chorus
Romeo
Benvolio
Mercutio
Scene 2
Romeo
Juliet
Nurse
Scene 3
Friar Lawrence
Romeo
Scene 4
Mercutio
Benvolio
Romeo
Nurse
Peter
Scene 5
Juliet
Nurse
Scene 6
Friar Lawrence
Romeo
Juliet
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Act 2 - After we read
QUESTIONS – These do NOT need to be complete sentences.
PROLOGUE
1. Summarize what the chorus has said.
ACT 2, SCENE 1
1. How does Mercutio (lines 7-12) feel about Romeo’s lovesickness?
2. With whom do Mercutio and Benvolio think that Romeo is still in love?
ACT 2, SCENE 2
1. In line 3, Romeo says, “Juliet is the sun.” Is this a metaphor, a simile or personification? What does it
mean?
2. What is Juliet saying about the two of them being members of feuding families in lines 33-36 and lines 3849?
3. What is Romeo’s response to Juliet (lines 54-57)?
4. In line 58, Juliet says, “My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words/Of thy tongue’s uttering, yet I know
the sound.” Is this a metaphor, a simile or personification? What does it mean?
5. Explain the difference with which Romeo and Juliet approach this new-found love (lines 61-124).
6. Why does Juliet compare her and Romeo’s declarations of love to lightning in lines 119-120?
7. What is the point of the metaphor in lines 121-122?
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8. In lines 156-157, Romeo says, “Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books; But love from
love, toward school with heavy looks.” Is this a metaphor, a simile or personification? What does it mean?
9. At the end of the scene (lines 158-189), what have the two agreed to do?
ACT 2, SCENE 3
1. In lines 23-28, Friar Lawrence makes a comparison between plants and men. Explain the comparison.
2. Friar Lawrence figures out that Romeo has been out all night. With whom does he think Romeo has been?
3. Why is the Friar surprised at Romeo’s request to be married to Juliet? Summarize his lines 65-78.
4. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo & Juliet? Hint: look at lines 91-92.
ACT 2, SCENE 4
1. Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybalt has sent to letter to Romeo challenging him to a duel. Why is Mercutio
worried?
2. When Romeo and Mercutio first meet in this scene, what does their discussion tell you about their
relationship? Look at lines 54-90.
3. How does Mercutio seem to feel about love (look at lines 80-84)?
4. What concern does the Nurse express in lines 147-155?
5. What message does Romeo give to the Nurse for Juliet (lines 164-167)?
ACT 2, SCENE 5
1. Why do you think the Nurse waits so long to tell Juliet the message from Romeo?
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ACT 2, SCENE 6
1. What wish does the Friar express in lines 1-2?
2. In lines 8-10, the Friar says, “These violent delights have violent ends/And, in their triumph die, like fire
and powder,/Which, as they kiss, consume.” Is this a metaphor, a simile or personification? What does it
mean?
END OF ACT QUESTIONS
1. Do you approve of Romeo and Juliet’s quick actions? Explain your answer.
2. What motivates the Friar and the Nurse to help Romeo and Juliet? Do you think these two characters are
wise, irresponsible or a mixture of the two? Explain.
SUMMARY OF SCENES
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
ACTIVITY FOR ACT 2
The last thing that happens in Act 2 is that Romeo and Juliet are married. If they were to write their own
vows, what would they say? If you are a boy, write Romeo’s vows to Juliet. If you are a girl, write Juliet’s
vows to Romeo. Keep in mind how each character has approached their love. Also, you need to realize how
each one feels about the other. If you need to, ask your parents about their wedding vows or go online to
research them. This assignment is due Monday for 25 points.
Words you may use
thou – you (Do thou believe me?)
doth – does (He doth think you are funny.)
thee – you (I don’t believe thee.)
ay – yes (Ay, the girls are ready for the game.)
thy – the/your (Thy love is strange.)
hath – has (She hath invited Jimmy to the party.)
ere – before (Ere we go, we will clean the room.)
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Introduction to Act 3 – p. 746
Before you read
CONNECTING TO THE STORY – ORAL DISCUSSION
When life gets difficult, everyone needs someone to turn to.
1. Why is it sometimes difficult to communicate your feelings to elders (parents or other grown-ups)?
2. How is your attitude toward the world different from that of adults you know and trust? Explain.
READ BUILDING BACKGROUND (p. 746)
LITERARY ELEMENTS
1. Review the literary terms monologue, soliloquy, and aside, which can be found on page 1 of your Romeo
and Juliet study guide.
Act 3 – p. 747
Before you read
CHOOSING ROLES
Scene 1
Benvolio
Mercutio
Tybalt
Romeo
Citizen
Prince Escalus
Lady Capulet
Lord Montague
Scene 2
Juliet
Nurse
Scene 3
Friar Lawrence
Romeo
Nurse
Scene 4
Lord Capulet
Paris
Lady Capulet
Scene 5
Juliet
Romeo
Nurse
Lady Capulet
Lord Capulet
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Act 3 - After you read
QUESTIONS – These do NOT need to be complete sentences.
ACT 3, SCENE 1
1. What new information do we learn about the character of Benvolio through the words of Mercutio (lines
11-13 and lines 15-28)
2. Who does Tybalt want to duel? Why won’t that person fight?
3. In lines 67-71, what is Romeo trying to say, but he can’t?
4. Which two characters fight first? Who started it? What happens during the fight?
5. A pun is a humorous play on words. Explain the pun that Mercutio uses in lines 95-96 when he says, “Ask
for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”
6. In Romeo’s soliloquy (lines 107-113), what is Romeo saying?
7. What does Benvolio reveal about Mercutio (line 114)?
8. What two characters fight second? What happens during the fight?
9. What is Romeo’s punishment?
ACT 3, SCENE 2
1. Summarize Juliet’s opening soliloquy (lines 1-31).
2. Initially, whom does Juliet think is dead?
3. Why does Juliet use the oxymorons “beautiful tyrant,” “fiend angelical,” “damned saint,” and “honorable
villain” when describing Romeo (lines 75-85)?
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4. Why does Juliet eventually forgive Romeo for killing Tybalt?
5. At the time and place of the story, a young woman, such as Juliet, had no power to go where she wanted.
In lines 97-127, why is Juliet so upset over Romeo’s banishment from Verona, especially since the Prince
could have punished him with death?
6. Where is the Nurse going at the end of the scene? What is she bringing with her?
ACT 3, SCENE 3
1. Why does Romeo say, “There is no world without (outside) Verona walls” (line 17)?
2. What does Romeo’s monologue (lines 29-51) say about his youthfulness?
3. What is Romeo afraid Juliet thinks of him (line 94)?
4. What tragic flaws does the Friar see in Romeo (lines 108-121)?
5. Friar Lawrence gives Romeo three reasons to be happy (lines 135-140). What are they?
6. What does the Friar tell the Nurse to do (lines 155-158)? Why?
7. The Friar tells Romeo to see Juliet. After that, where is he to go for his exile?
ACT 3, SCENE 4
1. Earlier, Lord Capulet seemed reluctant to let his daughter become engaged at such a young age. Why has
Lord Capulet’s attitude changed in regards to Paris’ marriage proposal to Juliet?
2. What day is it? What day will Paris and Juliet’s marriage be held?
ACT 3, SCENE 5
1. In line 24, how does Romeo show his love for Juliet?
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2. What is Juliet’s vision (lines 54-57)?
3. What does Lady Capulet think that Juliet is upset about? What is she really upset about? (lines 69-77)
4. What does Lady Capulet plan to do to Romeo? How? (lines 87-92)
5. What “good” news does Juliet’s mother have for her (lines 112-115)?
6. What is Juliet’s reaction to this news (lines 116-123)?
7. What does Lady Capulet wish for her daughter in line 140?
8. Paraphrase Lord Capulet’s reaction to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris (lines 176-195).
9. What does the Nurse think is the best thing for Juliet to do (lines 212-225)?
10. What does Juliet tell the Nurse to tell her parents (lines 230-234)?
11. What is Juliet’s attitude toward the Nurse at the end of the scene (lines 235-242)?
SUMMARY OF SCENES
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
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Introduction to Act 4 – p. 774
Before you read
CONNECTING TO THE STORY – ORAL DISCUSSION
When circumstances are really horrific, people will act in ways they would not normally consider. Before
you read about the desperate situation confronting Juliet in Act 4, think about the following questions.
1. Under what circumstances would you risk your life? Explain.
2. What situations have you heard about in which people have taken desperate measures? Explain.
3. Can love make us act in ways that are reckless or even unethical? Explain.
READ BUILDING BACKGROUND (p. 774)
LITERARY ELEMENTS
1. Define irony.
2. What is situational irony?
3. What is verbal irony?
4. What is dramatic irony?
5. Give one example of something that is ironic.
6. Define imagery.
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Act 4 – p. 775
Before you read
CHOOSING ROLES
Scene 1
Friar Lawrence
Paris
Juliet
Scene 2
Lord Capulet
Servingman
Nurse
Juliet
Lady Capulet
Scene 3
Juliet
Lady Capulet
Scene 4
Lady Capulet
Nurse
Lord Capulet
First Fellow
Second Fellow
Scene 5
Nurse
Lady Capulet
Lord Capulet
Friar Lawrence
Paris
First Musician
Peter
Second
Musician
Third Musician
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After you read
QUESTIONS – These do NOT need to be complete sentences.
ACT 4, SCENE 1
1. In line 21, what Juliet says is verbal irony. What is ironic about “What must be shall be”?
2. What type of irony – situational, verbal or dramatic – is present when Paris and Juliet are at Friar
Lawrence’s at the beginning of the scene (lines 18-43)? What is the irony?
3. What is Juliet asking the Friar to do in lines 50-51?
4. What is Juliet saying in lines 58-59?
5. Lines 77-88 have great imagery about things that Juliet would rather do than marry Paris. There is imagery
for sight, sound, smell and touch. List an image for each of these senses.
6. What are the four steps to the Friar’s plan (lines 89-120)?
ACT 4, SCENE 2
1. What does Lord Capulet due to the wedding day (lines23-24) after Juliet lies to him (lines 17-22) by
saying she will do whatever he says?
2. Name a problem that could arise for Juliet and the Friar due to Lord Capulet’s decision.
3. What type of irony – situational, verbal or dramatic – is in lines 31-32? What is the irony?
ACT 4, SCENE 3
1. In lines 24-58, Juliet is anxious and frightened about the possibility of drinking the potion. List all five of
Juliet’s fears that she has before drinking the potion.
ACT 4, SCENE 4
1. What type of irony – situational, verbal or dramatic – appears in lines 1-28? What is the irony?
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ACT 4, SCENE 5
1. In lines 1-16, what information does the audience have that the Nurse lacks? What type of irony –
situational, verbal or dramatic – is this?
2. In lines 28-29, Lord Capulet says, “Death lies on her like an untimely frost/Upon the sweetest flower of all
the field.” Is this comparison a simile or a metaphor? What does it mean?
3. In line 38, Lord Capulet says, “Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir;” Is this comparison a simile or a
metaphor? What does it mean?
4. According to line 76, why does the Friar say that Juliet’s parents should feel comforted?
5. What does Juliet’s marriage ceremony become (lines 84-85)?
END OF ACT QUESTIONS
1. What do you think of Friar Lawrence’s plan?
SUMMARY OF SCENES
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
ACTIVITY
Imagine that you are either Friar Lawrence or the Nurse – characters with whom you have been entrusted
with the secret of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. Write a diary entry about the events in Act 4. Discuss the
young lovers’ dilemma, the advice you have offered, and your hopes and fears about their future. Include
specific details from the play in your diary entry.
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Introduction to Act 5 – p. 790
Before you read
CONNECTING TO THE STORY – ORAL DISCUSSION
1. Do children end up paying the price for the ill deeds of their parents? Explain.
2. Does aggression hurt the aggressor as much as it hurts the victim? Explain.
3. What is one example of people suffering due to foolish actions of previous generations?
READ BUILDING BACKGROUND (p. 790)
LITERARY ELEMENT
1. Define theme.
Act 5 – p. 791
Before you read
CHOOSING ROLES
Scene 1
Romeo
Balthasar
Apothecary
Scene 2
Friar John
Friar Lawrence
Scene 3
Paris
Page
Romeo
Balthasar
Friar Lawrence
Juliet
Chief Watchman
Second Watchman
Third Watchman
Prince Escalus
Lord Capulet
Lady Capulet
Lord Montague
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After you read – Act 5
QUESTIONS – These do NOT need to be complete sentences.
ACT 5, SCENE 1
1. What was Romeo’s dream about (lines 1-11)? How does Romeo feel about it?
2. What news does Balthasar bring to Romeo (lines 17-23)?
3. In a tragedy, such as Romeo and Juliet, the tragic hero suffers a downfall due to his/her tragic
flaw. What flaw of Romeo’s is shown in his response to Balthasar’s news, even after Balthasar
tells him to stop and think (lines 27-29)? Because of this flaw, what does Romeo say he will do
in line 34?
4. What does Romeo want from the apothecary?
ACT 5, SCENE 2
1. Why did Friar John not deliver the letter to Romeo about the plan that Friar Lawrence and
Juliet had devised (lines 5-12)?
2. What is Friar Laurence going to do (lines 23-29)?
ACT 5, SCENE 3
1. Why does Paris go to the tomb (lines 12-17)?
2. What two people show up and interrupt Paris?
3. Why does Paris think Romeo is there (lines 49-53)?
4. What happens when Paris confronts Romeo?
5. What does Romeo realize about Paris (lines 74-78)? Because of this, what request does he
honor?
6. What does Romeo do next? How? (lines 119-120)
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7. What dream did Balthasar say he had (lines 137-139)?
8. What plan does Friar Laurence have for Juliet (lines 156-157)?
9. What does Juliet want to do in lines 161-166? How?
10. How does Juliet commit suicide?
11. What two people do the watchmen apprehend?
12. What has happened to Lady Montague? Why? (lines 210-211)
13.What does the Friar mean when he says, in line 227, “Myself condemned and myself
excused”?
14. Who else does the Friar implicate, meaning who else does he say knew about the plan (line
266)?
15. What did the letter, which Romeo had intended for his father, say? (lines 286-290)
16. What will the Capulets and the Montagues do to show that the feud is over?
END OF PLAY QUESTIONS
1. What are the tragic flaws of Romeo and Juliet?
2. Do you think Romeo and Juliet are destroyed by fate, by their own flaws, by the flaws of
others, or by a combination of factors? Explain.
SUMMARY OF SCENES
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
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