ROMEO & JULIET – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

COURSEWORK

Act 1

1.  What dramatic functions are served by the Prologue?

2.  How does the feud begin in the first scene of the play?

3.  What does the first scene of the play reveal about Romeo’s behaviour?

4.  What contrasting concepts of love are presented in Scene 1?

5.  What is learned about the Capulets’ father-daughter relationship during Scene 2?

6.  What complications of plot arise in Scene 2?

7.  What concepts of love do the female characters in Scene 3 present?

8.  In what ways does Capulet prove himself a good host?

9.  Describe Romeo and Juliet’s discoveries of each other’s identity.

Act 2

10.  What images of light and fire does Juliet inspire in Romeo?

11.  What concerns does Juliet express in Act 2, Scene 2?

12.  Locate examples of dramatic irony in Act 2, Scene 2.

13.  What philosophical observations does Friar Laurence make in Act 2, Scene 3?

14.  What is Friar Laurence’s reaction to Romeo’s request in Act 2, Scene 3?

15.  How does the nurse inform Juliet of Romeo’s plans? How does Juliet react?

16.  What elements in Scene 4 foreshadow the fatality of Romeo and Juliet’s love?

Act 3

17.  Compare Juliet’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 5, with her soliloquy of Act 3, Scene 2.

18.  How does the Nurse reveal the details of Romeo’s banishment in Scene 2? What is Juliet’s reaction?

19.  Describe Romeo’s reaction to banishment in Scene 3.

20.  What admonition does Friar Laurence give Romeo in Scene 3?

21.  What occurs in Scene 5 to alienate Juliet from her family?

Act 4

22.  What plan does Friar Laurence propose to Juliet?

23.  What concerns does Juliet express in Scene 3? How does she assuage each?

24.  Describe the reactions to Juliet’s apparent death in Scene 5.

Act 5

25.  What preparations does Romeo make in Scene 1 when he learns of Juliet’s death?

26.  Examine Paris’ function in Scene 3.

27.  Examine Romeo’s last soliloquy in Scene 3.

28.  Describe Juliet’s awakening and death.

29.  How does the Prince investigate the deaths?

30.  How does the Prince intend to punish the guilty?

31.  What memorial will be built for Romeo and Juliet?