NOTES : * indicates personal opinion.
Romeo and Juliet
Prologue The prologue is written in the f
orm of a sonnet. A sonnet is a 14 line lyric poem with an iambic pentameter rhythm and a set rhyme s
cheme. U / iamb
U / U / U / U / U / pentameter - 5 feet
Rhyme The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearea
n sonnet divides the poem into 3 quatrains and a rhyming couplet. The thought of the poem follows th
is division.
Quatrain 1 dignity
- A scene
- B mutiny
- A unclean - A Quatrain 2 foes
- C life
- D over throw - C strife
- D Quatrain 3 love
- E rage
- F remove - E stage
- F Rhyming couplet
attend
- G mend
-G
Act One Scene One
1) What should be achieved by the opening sc
ene of the play? Give examples from this scene to illustrate your answer.
In the opening scene, sev
eral things should be established. The setting, scene, mood, and the conflict must be introduced. Bu
t, first, we must grab the audiences attention. There are many things that draw the audiences attent
ion, including : Fighting, sex, loud shouts, many actors moving about, and jokes. In the first scene
in Romeo and Juliet, the two characters Sampson and Gregory were joking around.
Scene Two
1) *Wh
at do you think Paris’s later role will be?
I think that Paris will add conflict later on, and he w
ill be against Juliet and Romeo. He will become quite jealous, and probably try to get revenge on Ro
meo. 2) What is Capulet’s attitude to his wife and daughter?
Capulet loves and respects his wife
and daughter. He seems protective of Juliet, which is understandable considering she is his only dau
ghter. He wants her to be happily wed to Paris, and he wants her to support his decision about Paris
.
3) What use is made of coincidence?
Romeo and Benevolio just happen to meet the servant, who te
lls them about the party. Had they not run into him, Romeo would of never been able to meet Juliet.
4) What is the dramatic purpose of Capulet’s party?
Capulet’s party gives Romeo a chance to meet
Juliet, but more importantly, being a masked party, his identity can remain anonymous.
Sc
ene Three
1) What is the attitude of a) Lady Capulet b) Juliet c) The nurse
… To Paris’s pr
oposal.
a) Lady Capulet was happy to hear his proposal, as she thinks her daughter is old enough,
and Paris is a good man for her. b) Juliet, although not in love with anyone else, objects to being
forcefully married by her father. But, being obedient she must obey her father. c) The nurse is ve
ry happy about the proposal. She thinks he is perfect, he is young and good looking, and a good mate
.
2) Write a brief character sketch of the nurse.
The nurse is very talkative. She cares deeply f
or Juliet, and treats her like her own daughter; probably because she lost her husband and daughter.
She is supportive of Juliet’s ideas. She is also quite blunt, or coarse and talks about things that
most wouldn’t talk about in public.
Scene Four
1) Find an example of foreshadowing.
‘I fear too
early; for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin this fea
rful date With this night’s revels, and expire the term Of a despised life clos’d in my breast By so
me vile forfeit of untimely death. But He that hath the steerage of my course Direct my sail! On lis
ty gentleman!’
Scene Five
1) How is a masked ball good theatre?
The masked ball is goo
d theater because the guys don’t have to dress as girls, as no one knows their real identity.
2) W
hat contribution do the serving men make?
The Serving men let us know that we are at the party.
3)
Why does Rosaline never appear on stage?
She never appears on stage so that people can’t compare
between her and Juliet’s looks, as some might say Rosaline is fairer than Juliet.
4) Why does Shak
espeare avoid a clash between Tybalt and Romeo on stage?
If Romeo and Tybalt fought on stage, then
Romeo would not of had a chance to talk to Juliet.
5) Select speeches which keep the feud complica
tion before the audience.
‘This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What,
dares the slave Come hither cover’d with an antic face, To fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, b
y the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.’ … ‘Uncle, this is a Montag
ue, our foe. A villain that is hither come in spite To scorn at our solemnity this night.’
Act Two Scene One
1) What is the purpose of Scene one?
This scene gives us a transition. It in
forms us that Romeo’s love for Rosaline is lost, and he is deeply in love with Juliet. It also fores
hadows some of the troubles they will have.
Scene Two
1) Describe the setting in this scene.
Thi
s scene takes place in the Capulet’s orchard under Juliet’s balcony. It is at night, and Romeo is su
pposedly hiding.
2) How does danger lend enchantment to this scene.
The danger in this scene show
s that Romeo will risk his life for Juliet, and adds suspense to the scene, to keep people at the ed
ge of their seats.
3) How does Shakespeare make it easy for Juliet to confess her love? Why does h
e do this?
It is easier for Juliet to confess her love because she does not know that Romeo is in t
he shadows. This makes a quick advance in the plot.
4) What are the signs that Juliet has fallen i
n love?
She asks Romeo to deny his family name, as she will deny hers so they can be together.
Sce
ne Three
1) What are the purposes behind Friar Laurences soliloquy?
Friar Laurences soliloquy int
roduces the plot and foreshadows some plot, and describes what he does.
Scene Four
1) Wha
t is Mercutio’s opinion of Romeo? Prove with quotes.
Mercutio doesn’t think Romeo can fight Tybalt.
In line 13 he says ‘Alas, poor Romeo - he’s already dead.’
2) How do you account for the change i
n Romeo?
Romeo has a more positive attitude because someone loves him back.
3) Why is it better t
hat Peter be played by a small man?
It was better that Peter is smaller because the Nurse is bigger
, thus visually showing superiority over Peter, so she bosses him around.
4) How does the meeting
between Romeo and the Nurse advance the plot?
Now Romeo can ‘talk’ with Juliet via the Nurse, thus
reducing the risk, and making their love grow even more.
Scene Five
1) How much time has passed s
ince the opening of the play?
One day has passed, and we are now on the second day.
2) What do we
learn about the Nurse and Juliet in this scene?
We learn that the Nurse likes to tease Juliet, and
taunt her with the information that Romeo has told her.
Scene Six
Act Three Scene One
1) What is the purpose of Mercutio’s analysis of Benevolio’s character?
His analysis makes the sce
ne more humorous because he is actually talking about himself, not Benevolio.
2) How have we been
prepared for the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt?
We have been anticipating Romeo and Tybalt’s fi
ght since the party, but due to the nature of Mercutio, he will probably take part in the fight.
3)
Mercutio is himself to the end. Prove.
He is still himself because even after he is wounded, prac
tically dead, he still jokes around (lines 95 to 103)
4) Explain how this scene is the dramatic ce
nter of the play.
It’s very dramatic, as the events are becoming more and more negative.
Scene Two
and Three
1) Explain how these two scenes are parallel.
The two scenes are parallel because Rome
o and Juliet are both talking to there ‘Secret confessor’ (he/she who knows about them) about the on
e they love.
2) Compare the behavior of Juliet and Romeo. Use direct quotes.
Scene
Four
1) Discuss the change in Capulet’s attitude toward Juliet’s marriage.
Capulet has decided th
at he is 100% sure Paris is the right man, and sees no reason why they should delay the wedding, hop
efully cheering up Juliet.
2) List examples of dramatic irony in this scene.
Some dramatic ironie
s are… Juliet is actually married, and she’s not sad about Tybalt, she’s sad about Romeo!
Scene Fiv
e
1) What dramatic purposes are served by the farewell scene?
The farewell scene shows and proves
how great the love for each other Romeo and Juliet have.
2) Why does Shakespeare have the Nurse d
esert Juliet at this point?
Having the nurse leaves shows the feeling of isolation that Juliet has,
and how the nurse disapproves of her actions.
Act Four Scene One
1) What is
Friar Laurence’s predicament?
His predicament is that he has already married Romeo and Juliet, and
he cannot wed Juliet and Paris.
2) What flaws can you see in Friar Laurence’s plan?
The Friar’s
plan relies on so many things that have to go right… If one goes wrong, he’s got a big problem.
Sce
ne Three
1) What are Juliet’s thoughts during the potion speech?
She was worried that Romeo would
not get the message and he would think she was dead.
2) *Do you think Juliet drinks the potion in
a sudden fit of terror or with deliberate intent?
Juliet drinks the potion in a sudden fit, she wa
s terrified (lines 24-25,30-32,33-35)
Scene Four
1) What are the dramatic purposes of this scene?
It shows the excitement and anticipation towards the wedding.
Scene Five
1) How is the Friar’s
speech beginning on line 65 a reflection of the Capulet’s grief.
Both of them know they are respons
ible for their deaths. 2) *The behavior of Peter and the musician has been criticized as being ina
ppropriate at the time. Do you agree of disagree? Support your answer.
I disagree because then was
not the time to play music.
-------------------------------------------------------------- notes i
ndicates personal opinion romeo juliet prologue prologue written form sonnet sonnet line lyric poem
with iambic pentameter rhythm rhyme scheme iamb pentameter feet rhyme rhyme scheme shakespearean son
net divides poem into quatrains rhyming couplet thought poem follows this division quatrain dignity
scene mutiny unclean quatrain foes life over throw strife quatrain love rage remove stage rhyming co
uplet attend mend scene what should achieved opening scene play give examples from this illustrate y
our answer opening several things should established setting mood conflict must introduced first mus
t grab audiences attention there many things that draw audiences attention including fighting loud s
houts many actors moving about jokes first romeo juliet characters sampson gregory were joking aroun
d what think paris later role will think that paris will conflict later will against juliet romeo be
come quite jealous probably revenge what capulet attitude wife daughter capulet loves respects wife
daughter seems protective which understandable considering only daughter wants happily paris wants s
upport decision about made coincidence benevolio just happen meet servant tells them about party the
y into would never been able meet dramatic purpose capulet party party gives chance meet more import
antly being masked identity remain anonymous three attitude lady nurse proposal lady happy hear prop
osal thinks enough good although love with anyone else objects being forcefully married father being
obedient must obey father nurse very happy proposal thinks perfect young good looking good mate wri
te brief character sketch nurse very talkative cares deeply treats like probably because lost husban
d supportive ideas also quite blunt coarse talks things that most wouldn talk public four find examp
le foreshadowing fear early mind misgives some consequence hanging stars shall bitterly begin this f
earful date with night revels expire term despised life clos breast some vile forfeit untimely death
hath steerage course direct sail listy gentleman five masked ball theatre masked ball theater becau
se guys have dress girls knows their real identity contribution serving make serving know does rosal
ine never appear stage never appears stage people compare between looks some might rosaline fairer t
han does shakespeare avoid clash between tybalt tybalt fought then would chance talk select speeches
which keep feud complication before audience voice should montague fetch rapier dares slave come hi
ther cover antic face fleer scorn solemnity stock honor strike dead hold uncle montague villain hith
er come spite scorn solemnity night purpose gives transition informs love rosaline lost deeply also
foreshadows troubles they have describe setting takes place orchard under balcony night supposedly h
iding does danger lend enchantment danger shows risk life adds suspense keep people edge their seats
shakespeare make easy confess easier confess because know shadows makes quick advance plot signs fa
llen asks deny family name deny hers they together three purposes behind friar laurences soliloquy f
riar laurences soliloquy introduces plot foreshadows plot describes four mercutio opinion prove quot
es mercutio doesn think fight tybalt line says alas poor already dead account change more positive a
ttitude someone loves back better peter played small better peter smaller bigger thus visually showi
ng superiority over peter bosses around meeting between advance talk thus reducing risk making their
grow even more five much time passed since opening play passed second learn learn likes tease taunt
information told three purpose mercutio analysis benevolio character analysis makes humorous actual
ly talking himself benevolio have been prepared fight been anticipating fight since nature probably
take part himself prove still himself even after wounded practically dead still jokes around lines e
xplain dramatic center play very dramatic events becoming negative explain these scenes parallel sce
nes parallel both talking there secret confessor knows them compare behavior direct quotes four disc
uss change toward marriage decided sure right sees reason delay wedding hopefully cheering list exam
ples irony ironies actually married five purposes served farewell farewell shows proves great each o
ther shakespeare desert point having leaves shows feeling isolation disapproves actions friar lauren
ce predicament predicament already married cannot flaws laurence plan plan relies many right goes wr
ong problem thoughts during potion speech worried would message drinks potion sudden terror delibera
te intent drinks potion sudden terrified lines purposes excitement anticipation towards wedding spee
ch beginning line reflection grief both them know responsible deaths behavior musician criticized in
appropriate time agree disagree support your answer disagree then time musicEssay, essays, termpaper
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