Romeo and Juliet Act III, scene iv
1. Explain Capulet’s lines:Things have fall’n out, sir, so unluckily
That we have had no time to move our daughter.
2. Why does Capulet think Juliet is grieving?
3. What does Paris mean when he says, “These times of woe afford no time to woo”?
4. What does Lady Capulet say she will do?
5. What is the “desperate tender” (risky offer) Capulet makes to Paris?
6. Instead of telling Juliet his decision himself, whom does Lord Capulet send to tell her?
7. What day will this offer be fulfilled, and what is Paris’s response to this date?
8. Explain Capulet’s lines:We’ll keep no great ado—a friend or two,
For hark you, Tybalt being slain so late
It may be thought we held him carelessly,
Being our kinsman, if we revel much
Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends
And there make an end.
9. Predict how Juliet will react when she hears this news.
Act III, scene v
1. In scene iii, we see Juliet anxiously waiting for night time. How are her feelings about the arrival of day different from her feelings about the arrival of night?
2. Why does Juliet say it was the nightingale that woke them up instead of the lark?
3. Romeo disagrees and says it was the lark. Why does Romeo insist on leaving?
4. Juliet continues to try to make Romeo stay. Explain Romeo’s lines: I have more care to stay than will to go/Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so.
5. After these lines, Juliet immediately changes her mind and wants him to leave. Why/
6. Who comes to the door, and what is this person’s warning?
7. Compare the farewells of Romeo and Juliet. Who seems to be more optimistic about the future?
8. What foreshadowing is used in the farewell?
9. Why does Romeo think they both look pale?
10. What is Lady Capulet’s response when she sees Juliet pale and crying?
11. How does Lady Capulet intend to get revenge on Romeo?
12. Lady Capulet thinks Juliet means one thing when she really is saying another. Explain the two messages of Juliet’s lines: Indeed I never shall be satisfied
With Romeo till I behold him—dead—
Is my poor heart so for a kinsman vexed.
13. Do you think Juliet means everything she says or is she pretending?
14. What is Juliet’s response to the marriage news?
15. What is the metaphor Capulet uses to describe Juliet?
16. What is Capulet’s response to Juliet’s refusal?
17. How does Capulet feel about his daughter?
18. Who tries to stick up for Juliet?
19. If Juliet does not marry Paris, what does Capulet say the consequences will be?
20. Juliet tells her mother to delay her marriage, and if she can’t do that, what does Juliet want her to do?
21. What is Lady Capulet’s response to Juliet?
22. What is Nurse’s advice and why?
23. What message does Juliet send to her parents through Nurse?
24. In a soliloquy Juliet reveals her true plans. What is she going to do?
25. Juliet’s final soliloquy is addressed to the absent Nurse. Why can’t she confide in Nurse anymore? How does this decision to not confide in Nurse show a change in Juliet’s character? How might her reliance on the Friar’s plan affect the plot?