Collections Grade 9 Guiding Questions
Collection 4
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
ACT IV
Read the drama The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Then, reread the lines indicated with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.
1. Sc. 1, Lines 1–15: What is the friar’s motive for wanting to slow down the marriage preparations for Paris and Juliet? What does Paris say is Lord Capulet’s motive for hurrying the wedding along?
2. Sc. 1, Lines 18–25: Explain the double meanings in Juliet’s exchange with Paris by citing text evidence.
3. Sc. 1, Lines 44–69: What details suggest that the friar views the situation as seriously as Juliet does? Infer why Friar Laurence is motivated to help Juliet any way that he can. Consider what you know about Friar Laurence’s vocation.
4. Sc. 1, Lines 50–59: How does Juliet view her marriage bond to Romeo? Explain. How is it similar to Romeo’s reaction in Act III?
5. Sc. 1, Lines 71–88: Consider how calmly Friar Laurence listens to Juliet threaten to kill herself in lines 50–67. How does that speech motivate him to share his plan with her? Do you think Juliet dislikes Paris so intensely that she is willing to go to these lengths to avoid marrying him? Explain.
6. Sc. 1, Lines 89–114: How were the elements of the friar’s plan foreshadowed when the friar first appeared in the play? Why is the timing of the friar’s plan critical?
7. Sc. 1, Lines 115–126: Explain what the risks of Friar Laurence’s plan might be? What is an essential component of the plan?
8. Sc. 2, Lines 1–8: Think about the purpose that comic relief serves. Why might Shakespeare have chosen to begin this scene with a light, humorous conversation?
9. Sc. 2, Lines 17–37: What is ironic about Capulet’s reaction to Juliet’s change of heart? What is ironic about Capulet’s comments that “afore God, this reverend holy friar,/ Our whole city is much bound to him”?
10. Sc. 2, Lines 45–47: What does moving up the wedding one day do to Friar Laurence’s plan?
11. Sc. 3, Lines 14–29: What do the first six lines of the speech reveal about Juliet’s conflict? What do you think about Juliet’s questioning of Friar Laurence’s motives in giving her the potion? Does evidence suggest she is serious about her fears?
12. Sc. 3, Lines 30–58: What does Juliet list in her speech? What image motivates her to drink the potion in spite of her imaginings? Why?
13. Sc. 4, Lines 9–28: How does this scene increase the emotional impact of Juliet’s action in the previous scene?
14. Sc. 5, Lines 12–29: What ideas and feelings does Lord Capulet convey in the simile in lines 28–29?
15. Sc. 5, Lines 32–42: How is Capulet’s description of Death an example of dramatic irony in this situation?
16. Sc. 5, Lines 65–83: What do the friar’s first lines reveal about the setting and his initial purpose? What is the highest form of human achievement? Why does he tell them this? Why does he urge them to get Juliet to the church for her funeral in the last lines of his speech?
17. Sc. 5, Lines 96–99: Note that the musician is talking about the case for his instrument. What “case” is the nurse referring to?
18. Sc. 5, Lines 110–124: What does the lightheartedness of this scene suggest to the audience who knows the truth of Juliet’s apparent death?