NOTES : *
indicates personal opinion.
Romeo and Juliet
Prologue
The prologue is
written in the form of a sonnet. A sonnet is a 14 line lyric poem with an
iambic pentameter rhythm and a set rhyme scheme.
U / iamb U / U / U / U / U /
pentameter - 5
feet
Rhyme
The rhyme scheme
of a Shakespearean sonnet divides the poem into 3 quatrains and a rhyming
couplet. The thought of the poem follows this 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 scene
of the play? Give examples from this scene to illustrate your answer.
In the opening
scene, several things should be established. The setting, scene, mood, and the
conflict must be introduced. But, first, we must grab the audiences attention.
There are many things that draw the audiences attention, 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) *What do you think Paris's later role will
be?
I think that
Paris will add conflict later on, and he will be against Juliet and Romeo. He
will become quite jealous, and probably try to get revenge on Romeo.
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 daughter. 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 tells 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.
Scene Three
1) What is the attitude of
a) Lady Capulet
b) Juliet
c) The nurse
... To Paris's proposal.
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 very 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 for 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 fearful date
With this night's
revels, and expire the term
Of a despised
life clos'd in my breast
By some vile
forfeit of untimely death.
But He that hath
the steerage of my course
Direct my sail!
On listy gentleman!'
Scene Five
1) How is a masked ball good theatre?
The masked ball
is good theater because the guys don't have to dress as girls, as no one knows
their real identity.
2) What 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 Shakespeare 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
complication 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, by the stock
and honor of my kin,
To strike him
dead I hold it not a sin.'
...
'Uncle, this is a
Montague, 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 informs us that Romeo's love for Rosaline is lost, and he
is deeply in love with Juliet. It also foreshadows some of the troubles they
will have.
Scene Two
1) Describe the setting in this scene.
This scene takes
place in the Capulet's orchard under Juliet's balcony. It is at night, and
Romeo is supposedly hiding.
2) How does danger lend enchantment to this
scene.
The danger in
this scene shows that Romeo will risk his life for Juliet, and adds suspense to
the scene, to keep people at the edge of their seats.
3) How does Shakespeare make it easy for Juliet
to confess her love? Why does he do this?
It is easier for
Juliet to confess her love because she does not know that Romeo is in the
shadows. This makes a quick advance in the plot.
4) What are the signs that Juliet has fallen in
love?
She asks Romeo to
deny his family name, as she will deny hers so they can be together.
Scene Three
1) What are the purposes behind Friar Laurences
soliloquy?
Friar Laurences
soliloquy introduces the plot and foreshadows some plot, and describes what he
does.
Scene Four
1) What 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 in Romeo?
Romeo has a more
positive attitude because someone loves him back.
3) Why is it better that 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 since 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 scene 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 fight 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, practically dead, he still jokes
around (lines 95 to 103)
4) Explain how this scene is the dramatic center
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 Romeo and Juliet are both talking to there 'Secret
confessor' (he/she who knows about them) about the one they love.
2) Compare the behavior of Juliet and Romeo. Use
direct quotes.
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Scene Four
1) Discuss the change in Capulet's attitude
toward Juliet's marriage.
Capulet has
decided that he is 100% sure Paris is the right man, and sees no reason why
they should delay the wedding, hopefully cheering up Juliet.
2) List examples of dramatic irony in this scene.
Some dramatic
ironies are... Juliet is actually married, and she's not sad about Tybalt,
she's sad about Romeo!
Scene Five
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 desert
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.
Scene 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 was 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 responsible for their deaths.
2) *The behavior of Peter and the musician has
been criticized as being inappropriate at the time. Do you agree of disagree?
Support your answer.
I disagree
because then was not the time to play music.
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