Student Name: __________________________________________ Hour: ______ Date:___________________________
William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
vs.
Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
ACT I, SCENE 1
1. In the original play, the characters carried swords. In the film, they carry _____________________.
2. In the original play, Abram is a servant of ____________________________, but in the film Abra is one of the
Capulet Boys who has a silver grill in his mouth that reads ______________.
3. At the gas station, a large, yellow sign hangs overhead. It reads: “Add ____________________ to the
________________.”
4. Re-read your responses to questions #6-8. How are props important to director’s ability to tell the story?
Explain.
5. Define iambic pentameter.
6. Define blank verse.
7. Define prose.
8. Define metaphor.
9. Define pun.
10. In the original Shakespeare play, this scene included more dialogue. Read the dialogue below and then create
footnotes to assist modern readers understand Shakespearean slang. You may use pg. 772 of your textbook to
assist you.
Enter Sampson and Gregory, with swords and bucklers,1 of the house of Capulet.
SAMPSON
Gregory, on my word we’ll not carry coals.2
GREGORY
No, for then we should be colliers.3
SAMPSON
I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw.4
CLOSE AND CRITICAL READING:
A. Highlight examples of
puns.
B. Highlight examples of
metaphors.
GREGORY
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar.5
5
SAMPSON
I strike quickly, being moved.
GREGORY
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
SAMPSON
A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
GREGORY
To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand.
Therefore if thou art moved thou runn’st away.
10
SAMPSON
A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I
will take the wall6 of any man or maid7 of Montague’s.
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GREGORY
That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest
goes to the wall.
15
SAMPSON
’Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker
vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push
Montague’s men from the wall and
thrust his maids to the wall.
GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and us
their men.
20
SAMPSON
’Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have
fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids; I will cut
off their heads.
GREGORY
The heads of the maids?
SAMPSON
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads.8
Take it in what sense thou wilt.
GREGORY
They must take it in sense that feel it.
25
SAMPSON
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand,
and ’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.9
GREGORY
’Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst
been Poor John. Draw thy tool!10 Here comes of the house
of Montagues.
11. Are the characters speaking in blank verse or prose? Why would Shakespeare choose this type of dialogue for
this particular scene?
12. What leads to the confrontation between the Montagues and Capulets on this occasion? Be specific.
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13. Define dramatic foil.
14. How does Benvolio react to the threat of the impending fight?
Be specific.
15. How does Tybalt react to the threat of the impending fight?
Be specific.
16. How does Shakespeare use Benvolio’s character as a dramatic foil? Explain.
17. What does the Prince declare will happen if another conflict between the Montagues and Capulets occurs?
18. Why are Romeo’s parents worried about him?
19. What do Romeo’s parents ask Benvolio to do?
20. Why is Romeo so depressed?
21. What is Romeo’s opinion of the violent rivalry between his family and Capulets?
22. Review your responses to questions #20-21. What does this suggest about Romeo’s character? Explain.