For those interested in extra credit, here are some essay questions you can write on. Remember: the more you write, and the better quality you submit, the more extra credit you will get.
Act I
Prologue
1. Look up the meaning of the word “fatal” in the dictionary. What are two differing meanings for the word? What double meaning does “fatal” have in the context of the Prologue?
2. Explain why and how Romeo and Juliet are called “star-cross’d lovers”?
3. From the uses of “fatal” and “star-crossed” in the prologue, do you think this is a play about fate or choice (free will)? Explain why you think the play is about fate or choice?
Scene 1:
4. Why would the verbal fight between the servants of the Montagues and Capulets turn physical when their masters entered the scene?
5. Who tries to break up the fighting? How does Tybalt react to this?
6. What threat does Escalus the Prince of Verona make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?
7. When Romeo sees that there has been a fight he states, “Here’s much to do with hate but more with love” (around line 168). What does he mean by this?
8. Why is Romeo so melancholy (sad)? Describe the situation in your own words.
9. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? How does he suggest Romeo do this?
Scene 2:
10. What does Paris ask of Capulet? What is Capulet’s first answer?
11. What does Paris say in response? What can you infer about this setting and society from this response?
12. What is the name of the woman Romeo loves? What is she like? How does Romeo describe her?
13. What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do after meeting with the page?
Scene 3:
14. What kind of a mother is Lady Capulet? Explain your answer using evidence from the text. What kind of a relationship does the Nurse have with Juliet?
15. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer? Explain her response. Why would this be Juliet’s answer?
16. Does Lady Capulet listen to Juliet’s response? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Scene 4:
17. According to Mercutio, who/what is Queen Mab? What does she/it do? Be sure to explain fully.
18. What do Mercutio and Romeo say about dreams at the end of this scene? Explain fully.
19. What does Romeo “fear” at the end of this scene? How does this foreshadow the rest of the story? Explain how/why.
Scene 5:
20. Summarize Romeo’s initial reaction to Juliet in your own words.
21. How does Tybalt recognize Romeo? Why would Romeo’s presence at the party be considered an insult?
22. Why does Capulet call Tybalt a “princox”? What does this mean? Why would this be insulting to Tybalt?
23. Reread Tybalt’s response to his uncle’s warnings (“Patience perforce with willful choler meeting…). What is he foreshadowing?
24. Explain/summarize the conversation between Romeo and Juliet.
25. What great realization do both Romeo and Juliet make at the end of Act I? Who/what provides this information? How do they each react?
Act II
Prologue:
1. After reading the prologue to Act II, what stands out to you the most? Why? What do you think the purpose of this prologue is?
Scene 1:
2. What is meant by the popular saying “Love is blind”? How is this similar/different to love at first sight?
Scene 2:
3. When Juliet appears on her balcony, what does Romeo compare her to? How is this comparison symbolic?
4. What does Juliet mean when she says “a rose by any other word would smell as sweet?” What is she referring to? Despite Juliet’s attitude, how powerful are names to Romeo and Juliet?
5. Do you think Romeo is sincere in his devotion to Juliet? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
6. Romeo is quick with vows and promises. Why has Juliet become fearful and cautious near the end?
7. What might have prompted Juliet to talk about marriage upon her return to the balcony?
8. Why is parting “sweet” to Juliet? Is she really enjoying this prolonged farewell?
Scene 3:
9. What has Friar Laurence been out gathering in his basket? He discusses a specific herb, what is it capable of? How is this herb a metaphor for the main characters in the play?
10. How does this speech about the dangers of herbs foreshadow the end of the play? How will his knowledge become crucial to the end of the plot?
11. Explain lines 21-22: “Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, / And vice sometime by action dignified”? *Use a dictionary if necessary.
12. What does Friar Laurence mean when he says to Romeo, “Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes”?
13. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to perform this risky wedding? Do think this is wise of the Friar? Why or why not?
Scene 4:
14. Romeo and his friends hang out in the streets of Verona and make fun with each other while Juliet is at home and send her nurse to conduct her affairs. What can we assume about the social structures of this time because of this?
15. How is Juliet planning on meeting with Romeo? Then what will Romeo use the rope ladder for?
Scene 5:
16. The nurse is supposed to be gone only a half hour, but she is actually gone for how long?
17. Describe how Juliet sees “old folks”? Is this a fair assessment of how teenagers view older generations?
Scene 6:
18. What violent images does the friar use to compare Romeo and Juliet’s love and marriage? Why is this a fitting comparison?
19. What warning does Friar Laurence give about passionate love? What fear does he express for their future?
Act III
Scene 1:
1. At the beginning of the scene, why does Benvolio think that there will be a fight? What does he encourage his friends to do?
2. What does Mercutio accuse Benvolio of in lines 15-30? (“Thou are like one of these fellows that, when he enters…And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarreling?”) How is this ironic? *Look up irony.
3. During the conversation between Tybalt and Mercutio, what clues tell us that Mercutio really does want to fight Tybalt? Provide evidence from the text. Why does Romeo refuse to fight with Tybalt?
4. Why does Mercutio keep repeating, “A plague o’ both your houses”? Explain what a plague is in this instance and what he is essentially saying/doing?
5. What does it mean when Romeo calls himself “Fortunes fool”? What does he realize will now happen to him and Juliet?
6. What does Lord Montague mean when he says that Romeo’s “fault concludes but what the law should end, The life of Tybalt?”
7. What is Romeo’s punishment for killing Tybalt? Do you think this punishment is fair or unfair? Why?
Scene 2:
8. At the beginning of this scene, Juliet foreshadows her death as well as Romeo’s when she says, “And when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars…” Why does Shakespeare use so much foreshadowing throughout the play? What benefit does the reader get from being constantly reminded that the play will end with their deaths?
9. Juliet misunderstands the Nurse and thinks Romeo is dead. She states, “O, break, my hear(t)…End motion here, And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier.” She means that if Romeo is dead then she will die. How is Juliet determining a decision she will make in the future? Do we determine our choices before they happen?
10. How does Juliet react toward Romeo when she realizes that he killed Tybalt? How does Juliet’s behavior change in her second monologue? (“Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband…)
Scene 3:
11. Explain Romeo’s reaction to the news of his banishment.
12. What does the Nurse give to Romeo? Why would this be significant?
13. What advice and/or counsel does Friar Laurence use to prevent Romeo from killing himself? What words or phrases in the Friar’s speech indicate that the Friar first tries to shame Romeo, then appeal to his common sense, then offer him hope? (“Hold thy desperate hand…Than thou went’st forth in lamentation.”)
Scene 4:
14. What does Lady Capulet think is the reason for Juliet shutting herself in her room? What does Capulet tell his wife to inform Juliet of?
15. Why might Lord Capulet want Juliet married as soon as possible? Are his actions appropriate so soon after Tybalt’s death? Did Capulet ever consider whether or not Paris actually “wooed” Juliet?
Scene 5:
16. As Romeo is preparing to leave Juliet, what argument does she use to convince him to stay? What does Romeo say that makes Juliet suddenly aware of danger, causing her to insist that he leave?
17. How does the symbol of the sun, usually a symbol for hope and a new day, become a sign of despair for the lovers?
18. After Lady Capulet breaks the news about Paris, what is Juliet’s initial response?
19. What is Lord Capulet’s reaction to Juliet’s threats? What does he call his daughter? What does he mean? What does Lord Capulet threaten Juliet if she refuses to marry? How will this impact what Juliet does next?
20. What is the Nurse’s “comfort” and advice to Juliet? How does Juliet’s attitude towards the Nurse change after this advice? What “scheme” does Juliet devise to get rid of the Nurse and get out of the house?
Act IV
Scene 1:
1. What does Paris think of Juliet’s state of mind when he visits Friar Lawrence? What does Paris’s conversation with Juliet reveal about his character as a person?
2. Paris kisses Juliet before he leaves her and calls it a “holy kiss”? Why would this be significant and upsetting? (Think about the setting of this scene and another time the phrase “holy kiss” was used.)
3. If Friar Lawrence cannot help her, what does Juliet threaten to do? Do you think this statement is in character for Juliet? Why or why not?
4. Juliet must follow the Friar’s plan exactly in order for it to succeed. On what day does the Friar tell Juliet to take the potion? Describe the Friar’s plan for Juliet.
5. Where have we seen the Friar taking care of his herbs and heard him talk of magical potions? What do we know will happen to Juliet when she takes the drug she’s been given?
6. Why is Juliet so willing to trust the Friar? Do you think she is wise to follow his advice?
Scene 2:
7. What does Juliet say that makes her father happy?
8. How does Capulet change the wedding plans? How will this affect the timing of the Friar’s plans?
Scene 3:
9. How does Juliet show her maturity and independence in this scene? Use evidence from the text.
10. What fears and doubts does Juliet consider before taking the potion?
11. Why might Juliet be afraid of a visit from Tybalt’s ghost? Paraphrase what other fantasies Juliet has about waking up in the tomb.
Scene 5:
12. What does Lord Capulet call his only daughter in Act III scene v? What does Lady Capulet now call her daughter? What lines spoken by Lord Capulet suggest a loving concern for his daughter that seemed to be missing in Act III, scene v?
13. How does Lord Capulet personify death in this scene? Describe the imagery Shakespeare uses in describing Juliet’s “death.”
Act V
Scene 1:
1. What news does Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, bring Romeo? What actions does this news prompt Romeo to do?
2. Explain what Romeo means when he says, “Then I defy you, stars?” When have these stars been previously mentioned? Why would he talk to them as if they have control?
3. Do you agree with Romeo’s argument that a poor man is entitled to break the law in order to survive? Explain.
4. According to Romeo, what “poison” has Romeo “sold” the apothecary? How is this poison?
5. Why would Romeo refer to the poison as a “cordial”, when a cordial is a medicine the restores the heart beat? How will this poison restore his heartbeat?
Scene 2:
6. The letter to Romeo from Friar Laurence explaining Juliet’s fake death didn’t make it to Romeo because of a plague. All the conflicts in the play are caused by human choices; however, this conflict is a result of natural causes. Is Romeo and Juliet’s story the result of fate or choice? Explain your answer.
Scene 3:
7. Interpret Romeo’s speech in the following lines: “Thou detestable maw…And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food.” Whom or what is Romeo talking to here? What “food” is he going to feed the “maw”?
8. Paraphrase Paris’s speech in the following lines: “This is that banished haughty Montague... Obey, and go with me; for thou must die." According to him what was believed to be the cause of Juliet’s sudden death?
9. What is it about Juliet that should have told Romeo that she was not dead? (O my love, my wife!...And death’s pale flag is not advanced there.”) In your opinion, why does Romeo not consider this evidence?
10. Why does Juliet kiss Romeo after he is dead? What does she use when this doesn’t work?
11. When Lord Montague first arrives on the scene, what does he tell those who have gathered? Do you think if Romeo would never have been banished that his parents would have eventually accepted his decision to marry Juliet?
12. Does Friar Laurence accept responsibility for his part in the tragedy? What does he say in his defense?
13. We have been repeatedly reminded of the role of fate in this tragedy, but the human characters also admit their responsibility. What does Prince Escalus admit or blame himself for? How was he punished?
14. If you had to choose two characters that influenced the deaths of Romeo and Juliet the most, which characters would you choose? Why?
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