The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Reading Guide, 2015 Name: ______

Act I Black and portentous must this humor prove/Unless good counsel may the cause remove.

  1. What causes members of the Capulet and Montague households to fight in the streets of Verona? Give two reasons. Then speculate as to why the Citizens get involved in the fray.
  1. Benvolio and Tybalt come upon the servants fighting; contrast their reactions to the fight.
  1. When Montague and Capulet enter and see the disturbance, they want to fight, too. Interpret individually the responses of Ladies Capulet and Montague toward their husbands’ desires to enter the fray.
  1. How does Prince Escalus respond to the fray? Give details; be specific.
  1. Review I.i.168-174.
  2. Copy 2 oxymora that Romeo uses:
  1. Make an inference as to what Romeo’s use of multiple oxymora reveals about his feelings and character.
  1. Why is Romeo so sad? Be specific: name names and give reasons. Then explain Benvolio’s advice.
  1. Act I, scene ii. Review the conversation between Paris and Lord Capulet.
  2. Paris wants:
  1. Capulet’s 3 reasons for denying Paris’ request:
  1. Thus, one may infer that Capulet is this type of father:
  1. Explain the Capulet servant’s problem and how he solves it.
  1. Why is Romeo not invited? Why does he decide to go anyway?
  1. Act I, scene iii.Foil chart:

Nurse Lady Capulet______

  1. Review Juliet’s lines and make an inference as to what kind of a daughter she is.
  1. Act I, scene iv. Foil chart:Foil Chart:

Romeo Mercutio______

  1. Act I, scene v. Why is Tybalt angry? How does he interpret Romeo’s presence, and what does he want to do? What is Capulet’s response and reasons?
  1. Review Romeo and Juliet’s first conversation. What words are repeated, and what do you think they’re talking about?
  1. What does Romeo mean when he says, “O dear account! my life is my foe’s debt.”?
  1. What does Juliet mean when she says, “My only love, sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!”?
  1. What conflicts are set in motion by the events in scene v?
  1. Review Romeo’s words and actions in Act I. What do they reveal about his character?

Act II “What’s in a name? That which we call a roseName: ______

By any other word would smell as sweet (II.ii.43-44).”

  1. Compare the structures of the prologues from acts I and II; what do they have in common? Summarize the prologue of act II.
  1. Act II scene i Summarize the events of I.i, in 3+ sentences usingfive (5) characters’ names in your summary: Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, Rosaline, Juliet.
  1. Scene ii is also known as the famous ______scene.
  1. What term applies to Romeo’s speech as he watches Juliet at her window? [Hint: it’s the same term that applies to Juliet’s speech as she wonders her balcony, musing about Romeo, unaware of his presence.]
  1. Who is the “fair sun”? Why, according to Romeo, does the sun make the moon envious? [lines 2-6]
  1. With whom does Romeo imagine that Juliet is speaking? about what topic? [lines 14-17]
  1. As he finishes his soliloquy, why does Romeo wish that he were a glove on Juliet’s hand? [23-25]
  1. Juliet asks Romeo to do something; what is it? If he can’t do it, what is she willing to do?
  1. Juliet says that ______is her enemy.
  1. Lines 66-69 What does Romeo tell Juliet about how he got over the high wall surrounding the orchard?(Note: the margin notes are not 100% accurate, so reread the lines.)
  1. Reread lines 75-78. Do you think he is seriously thinking of death here, or is he just exaggerating? Explain.
  2. Reread lines 116 – 124. How does she feel about Romeo? Why does she seem uneasy?
  1. Explain the plan Juliet proposes in lines 142-148.
  2. What kind of message may Romeo sent to Juliet the next day? How will she receive it? [143-45]
  1. What specific information will Romeo send to Juliet?
  1. What is Juliet willing to do when she receives that message? Why?
  1. What time is Juliet’s messenger supposed to meet Romeo tomorrow morning? Who will be her messenger?
  1. Scene iii The scene begins with a soliloquy spoken by Romeo’s “ghostly father,” his spiritual advisor, known as ______.
  1. What is he describing in the first 6 lines of his soliloquy? ______
  2. Why might Shakespeare have used six lines for the description?

  1. Identify an instance of personification in these lines.
  1. Identify and explain the allusion.
  1. Whymight the monk be gathering herbs from his garden?
  1. Lines 9 – 30 A paradox is a statement with contradictory elements that still remains true. Explain one of the paradoxes of which Friar speaks in his soliloquy.
  1. Notice in the stage directions where Romeo has entered. Why might Shakespeare have had Romeo enter preciselyat that moment?
  1. Lines 65 – 80 Paraphrase Friar’s response to Romeo’s new-found love, listing Friar’s multiple reasons.
  1. Friar chides Romeo but agrees to perform the marriage. Explain his contradictory behavior.
  1. Scene iv: Who has sent a challenge to Romeo and why?
  1. Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo exchange puns. Copy and cite correctlyone of the puns.
  1. Why do you think Shakespeare used puns so freely in this scene?
  1. Describe how Mercutio and his friends treat the Nurse.
  1. Have you ever witnessed a teenager making fun of an older person? Do you think the reason for the teasing was the same as Mercutio’s? Explain.
  1. Lines 109 – 113 A malapropism is a verbal slip, a misuse of a word or phrase; it can be intentional or unintentional. Note the two malapropisms and indicate whether each is intentional or unintentional and why each malapropism is made.
  1. Lines 155 – 168 This passage lays out the specifcs of Romeo’s plan for marrying Juliet.
  2. To whom is Romeo speaking? Why does he tell his plan to this person?
  1. When and where does Romeo want Juliet to meet him?
  1. What will he send to the nurse first and why will it be needed?
  1. II.v. 1 - 17 Why is Juliet anxious and upset? What do her allusions to Venus and to Cupid reveal about her state of mind?
  1. The Nurse deliberately delays giving Juliet the information. Why does she manipulate Juliet in this way in this way instead of informing her immediately?
  1. Lines 64 – 77 Find out what shrift means, and then explain what Juliet will do this afternoon, where she’ll do it, and why.
  1. What do you notice about the final two lines of the scene?
  1. II.vi Explain Friar’s warning and advice to Romeo before Juliet enters.
  1. What reasons might Romeo and Juliet have for getting married so quickly after meeting?
  1. Look back on the six scenes of Act II and be able to briefly ( a sentence or two) summarize each in the correct order.