ROMEO AND JULIET - CLOSE READING ACTIVITIES ANSWERS 2016

PROLOGUE
1. By reading the Prologue we know the couple (Romeo and Juliet) will die. Why do you think Shakespeare chooses to give
away the ending?
 Shakespeare chooses to reveal the ending of Romeo and Juliet in his description of “a pair of star-crossed lovers who take their life”
(Prologue.6) , so as to create suspense for his audience. This is because as the play is performed, the audience hope that Romeo
and Juliet will avoid this fate, but realise at the same time that it is impossible hence making the tragedy more effective.
ACT 1, SCENE 1 (PART 1)
2. The Brawl
a) What begins the brawl in this scene?
 The brawl between the Capulet and Montague servants begin, when Sampson, a Montague, decides to insult Abram, a Capulet, by
using a rude gesture in the form of biting his thumb.
b) How do Benvolio’s and Tybalt’s characters differ?
 When the brawl begins, Benvolio tries to stop it. This reveals Benvolio to be more a peacekeeper and less confrontational then
Tybalt. He states:
Part, fools!
Put up your swords, you do not know what you do
….
I do but keep the peace. (1.1.55-7)
 In contrast, Tybalt is more aggressive and wishes for a battle between the Capulets and Montagues. He questions the need for
peace and uses angry words like “hate” and “hell” in his speech:
What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. (1.1.61-2)
c) What do you think the Prince means when he says that recent brawls have been bred of an “airy word”?
 When the Prince states that the recent brawls between Capulets and Montagues have been caused by an “airy word”, he means
that the violence has been started for little reason.
d) What does the Prince say the consequences will be for anyone who begins a brawl in the future?
 According to the Prince, the consequences for anyone who begins a brawl in the future will that “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of
the peace” (1.1.88). This means that anyone who begins a brawl between the Capulets and Montagues will be executed.
e) What do we learn about the depth and nature of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets from this opening scene?
 From this opening scene and Prologue, the audience learn that feud between the Montagues and Capulets has been ongoing and
violent. It is based on an “ancient grudge” (Prologue.3) and has according to the Prince has “thrice disturbed the quiet of our
streets” (1.1.82).

INTRODUCING PUNS (PG.1)

Q See if you can explain the punning on the word ‘back’ in the quote below:
Sampson: quarrel, I will back thee.
Gregory: How! Turn thy back and run?
Q What does Sampson mean when he first uses the word ‘back’?
 (‘back’ refers to supporting Gregory in his quarrel with the Capulets)
Q What does Gregory mean when he uses the word ‘back’?
 (‘back’ refers to Sampson’s back as he might turn and run from the fight with the Capulets.

ACT 1, SCENE 1 (PART 2)

3. What do we learn about Romeo’s recent behaviour from the conversation between Benvolio and Romeo’s parents?
 According to Benvolio and Romeo’s parents, he appears mournful and depressed, because “Many a morning hath he there been
seen/ With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew” (1.1.122-3).
ACT 1, SCENE 2
INTRODUCING OXYMORONS (pg.1)
Q Take a close look at the following excerpt from Romeo’s speech. List three examples of oxymorons you can find in this speech
other than ‘cold fire’ and ‘sick health’.
 Oxymorons are highlighted in yellow
Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate,
O anything of nothing first created!
O heavy lightness, serious vanity,
Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health,
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!
This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
Q Why do you think Romeo uses so many oxymorons in such a short space of time? What do you think Shakespeare might be
showing us about Romeo’s emotional state?
 Shakespeare deliberately uses a range of oxymorons in this speech by Romeo such as “brawling love”, “feathers of lead” and “cold
fire” to draw attention to his confused and heightened emotional stage. By placing such contradictory words together like “cold
fire”, Shakespeare is show how Romeo cannot think clearly as he is so emotional.

INTRODUCING METAPHORS (pg.1)

 Q There are three metaphors that are used to describe women in Act 1 Scene 2. Find which character uses each phrase and
label them as complimentary or uncomplimentary.
Phrase Character who uses this phrase Complimentary or not?
Earth-treading stars Capulet (1.2.25) Complimentary
Swan Benvolio (1.2.87) Complimentary
Crow Benvolio (1.2.87) Uncomplimentary

ACT 1, SCENE 3
4. Juliet’s Proposed Marriage to Count Paris.
a) How do Lady Capulet and the Nurse try to persuade Juliet to marry? What reasons are given?
 In an attempt to persuade her daughter to marry Paris, Lady Capulet explains how “Here in Verona” many young women of a similar
age and social status are “already mothers” (1.3.71-72). Furthermore, Lady Capulet herself was also married and a mother at the
same age Juliet is now. The Nurse also tells Juliet how wonderful and good-looking Paris is as “he’s man of wax” (1.3.77) which
means he is perfect like a sculptor’s model made from wax. Both the Nurse and Lady Capulet emphasize how Paris would be a
good match for Juliet as he is one of the most eligible bachelors in Verona.
b) Do you think Juliet is enthusiastic about the planned marriage? Use evidence from the text.
 Juliet is not overly enthusiastic about the proposed marriage to Paris. She tells her mother that marriage “is an honour I dream not
of” (1.3.67).
c) Here are some phrases that Juliet’s mother (Lady Capulet) and her Nurse use when talking to Juliet. Create a table similar
to the following and answer the questions.

Lady Capulet Nurse

Words and phrases used when talking to “This is the matter…” “What, Lamb! What, Juliet!”
Juliet “Tell me, daughter Juliet…” “Thou was the prettiest babe that
“Speak briefly; can you like of Paris’s love? e’er I nursed…”
“Juliet, the County stays.” “A man, young lady…””
“Go, girl, seek happy nights and
happy days.”
Describe the language each of the characters Lady Capulet is more formal in the The nurse’s language is warmer
uses when talking to Juliet language used. She employs proper and more colloquial.
sentences and word choices. E.g “Lamb”,
Formal phrasing – “This is the matter…” Use of abbreviations “Thou was
and “Tell me, daughter….” the prettiest babe that e’er I
nursed…”
What is her attitude towards Juliet? Treats her daughter as her property, Treats Juliet like she is her own
hence the arranged marriage with Paris child.
Describe her relationships with Juliet Formal, distant Loving, warm.

ACT 1, SCENE 4
5. The group is on its way to a masked ball. Where is it being held? Why is this significant?
 Mercutio, Romeo and the others are on their way to a Masked Ball, which is being held at the Capulet’s mansion. This is significant
as Romeo is a Montague who are the enemies of the Capulets.
6. Romeo predicts “some consequences yet hanging in the stars”.
a) What do you think Romeo means by this?
 When Romeo says that there are “some consequences yet hanging in the stars”, he means that he senses that tonight at the
Capulet’s Masked Ball something will happen that will change his life forever. During the time that Shakespeare lived, people
believed that future could be predicted through astrology, that is the reading of the stars. By making reference to the “stars” in
this speech by Romeo, Shakespeare is foreshadowing events to come in the play.
b) What lines or phrases from the Prologue also talk about fate or stars?

 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
 Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parent’s rage
Which but their children’s end nought could remove.
(Prologue.5-11)

c) What sort of mood or atmosphere is Shakespeare intending to create through Romeo’s predictions?
 By having the character of Romeo, foreshadow that there is “some consequences yet hanging in the stars”, Shakespeare is
reminding the audience of what was said in the Prologue about the fate of Romeo and Juliet. This has the effect of creating a sense
of suspense and foreboding in the audience, who wonder what will happen at Capulet’s Masked Ball and how this will detrimentally
affect Romeo and Juliet.

ACT 1, SCENE 5
7. When Romeo first sees Juliet he is astounded by her beauty. In line 9, he exclaims, “O, she doth teach the torches to burn
bright!” What do you think he means by this?
 Romeo uses a metaphor to describe Juliet’s beauty when he says that “...she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (1.5.43). He
is comparing Juliet’s beauty to the brightness of a “torch” and saying how she far surpasses it as “doth teach” it “to burn bright”.
8. At the end of his first speech, Romeo explains:
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight?
For I never saw true beauty till this night.
What do these lines reveal about his character? Keep in mind that in the previous scenes he was complaining about
being in love with Rosaline.
 Romeo’s sudden change from loving Rosaline to Juliet instead, reveals how impulsive and passionate he is to the audience.
9. How do the following language devices reveal Tybalt’s character to the reader in this scene:
a) Sound devices eg. harsh-sounding words such as “bitt’rest gall”?
 Tybalt’s speech to Capulet and afterwards as an aside, is full of deliberately chosen harsh sounding words by Shakespeare like
“bitt’rest gall” (1.5.90), “wilful choler” (1.5.88) and “a villain…come in spite” (1.5.61), which reveal him to be someone who is easily
angered and impulsive.
b) Alliteration of the “s” sound, as in “spite…scorn…solemnity”?
 The use of alliteration especially of the “s” sound in “spite…scorn…solemnity”, emphasize again Tybalt’s quickness to anger and
take offence at Romeo’s uninvited appearance at the Capulet Masked Ball.
c) Tybalt’s contrast to Capulet (Hint: showing positive aspects of Capulet helps us to see Tybalt’s negative qualities more
clearly.)
 Shakespeare deliberately contrasts Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo being at the Masked Ball, to that of his Uncle Capulet, to show the
audience his excessive and impulsive anger. Capulet, unlike his nephew, does not want a brawl and warns Tybalt that for all he
must not for all “the wealth in this town/ Here in my house do him disparagement” and furthermore he should “be patient” and
“take no note of him” (1.5.68-70). Furthermore, Capulet also acknowledges that Romeo is known “To be a virtuous and well-
governed youth” (1.5.67), unlike Tybalt who sees him as a “villain” who has “come in spite” (1.5.58). This juxtaposition between
Capulet and his nephew, Tybalt, by Shakespeare shows that Capulet is more sensible and reasonable in comparison to impulsive
and angry relative.

A CLOSER LOOK AT PUNS (pg.2)

Q Two different meanings for the underlined words are used in each of these cases. Try explaining the meanings in a table like
the following.
PUN FIRST MEANING SECOND MEANING
heavy / light Weighed down with sadness Torch to see their way
soles/ soul Bottom of someone’s feet Christian term for “the spiritual part of
a human being”.
sore / soar To ache/ small wound or injury To fly
bound / bound Tied down To leap over

A WORD ABOUT SONNETS (pg.3)

Q What might Shakespeare be intending to show about Romeo and Juliet by them an equal number of lines and by allowing
Romeo to complete the rhyme by Juliet?
 By using a sonnet rhyme scheme for this conversation between Romeo and Juliet when they first meet, Shakespeare is able to
convey their love by having them complete each other’s rhymes. For instance, just before they kiss for the first time, the following
is said
JULIET: Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
ROMEO Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. (He kisses her.)
Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged.
JULIET: Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
ROMEO: Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
 Give me my sin again. (He kisses her.)
JULIET : You kiss by th' book.
(1.5.92-105)
 The deliberate rhymes of “sake”/ “take”, “purged”/ “urged” and “took”/ “book” emphasizes the closeness of the couple as Romeo
kisses Juliet for the first time.

ACT 2, SCENE 2
10. In the speech that Romeo overhears, how important does Juliet think someone’s name is? What point does she make about
names?
 In the speech that Romeo overhears, Juliet does not believe that someone’s name is important. She states “That which we call a
rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet”, meaning that a name does not determine who someone truly is and whether she
should love them or not.
11. How does Juliet react to Romeo’s lyrical or poetic use of language and his declaration of love?
 Juliet reacts more cautiously to Romeo’s declaration of love and his poetic use of language. Whereas Romeo melodramatically
states that “My life were better ended by their hate/ Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love” (2.2.77-8). In contrast, Juliet is
more wary and warns of the risks associated with “yielding to light love” (2.2.105) and instead asks that if Romeo loves her, he must
“pronounce it faithfully” ( 2.2.94) and arrange their proper marriage.
ACT 2, SCENE 3
12. What is Friar Laurence’s motive for marrying Romeo and Juliet? Use a quote as evidence.
 Friar Laurence’s motive for marrying Romeo and Juliet is to end the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, as he hopes that
“…this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your household’s rancour to pure love.” (2.3.91-2)
ACT 2, SCENE 4
13. Mercutio’s language is playful and humorous in this scene. See if you can find examples of when he:
a) refers to the Nurse as ugly –
 “for her fan’s the fairer face” (2.4.88)
b) describes the nurse as old –
 “Farewell, ancient lady” (2.4. 119)
c) What might Shakespeare be intending to show us about the character of Mercutio by having him speak using so many
puns?
 Shakespeare employs the many puns spoken by Mercutio to highlight how he is a character who is always willing to joke and never
take anything seriously.

INTRODUCING DRAMATIC IRONY (pg.3)

Q How is Mercutio’s shouting out to Romeo about Rosaline (lines 10-12) an example of dramatic irony? What do we as an
audience know that Mercutio doesn’t?
 Mercutio’s shouting out to Romeo about Rosalie is an example of dramatic irony, as unlike the audience, he does not know that
Romeo has forgotten about Rosaline and has now impulsively and passionately fallen in love with Juliet.

A WORD ABOUT MALAPROPISMS (pg.5)

Q Can you think of any malapropisms that people might use today?
 definitely/ defiantly
 effluent/affluent
 turtle/hurdle
 robot/ribbit

ACT 2, SCENE 6
14. In this very brief scene, both Romeo and Juliet show signs of impatience of rushing into things recklessly. Create a table
like this one and add more examples from the text.
Aspect of language Evidence from text
Specific word used “haste” , “love moderately”
Repetition of words and phrases “violence”, “these violent delights have violent ends”
Punctuation and sentence length Short, abrupt sentences eg.
“Amen, amen! But come what sorrow may….” (Romeo)
Contrast of words, ideas, and characters “The sweetest honey is loathsome in its own deliciousness” (Friar Lawrence)
Images Gunpowder “And in their triumph die like fire and powder” (Friar Lawrence)

A WORD ABOUT FORESHADOWING (pg.5)

 Friar Lawrence: So smile the heavens upon this holy act
Then after-hours sorrow chide us not
Romeo: Amen, amen! but come what sorrow can,
It cannot countervail the exchange of joy
Do thou but close our hands with holy words,
Then love devouring death do what he dare;
 It is enough I may but call her mine (2.6.1-4)
Q What does Romeo mean by what he says in lines 1-3
 Romeo says that whatever sorrow comes even “love-devouring death” it cannot “countervail” the joy he currently feels about
marrying Juliet.
Q What words or phrases seem out of place for a wedding?
 Friar Lawrence: “haste” , “love moderately”, “violence”, “these violent delights have violent ends” “The sweetest honey is loathsome
in its own deliciousness”.
 Romeo: “sorrow” “love-devouring death”
Q What Shakespeare might be hinting at which will occur later in the play?
 Shakespeare is foreshadowing the eventual tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, that has already been mentioned in the prologue. This
helps create suspense for the audience who sympathise with the young lovers and want them to avoid their fate.

ACT 3, SCENE 1
15. Tybalt’s Challenge to Romeo
a) Why is Tybalt looking for Romeo?
 Tybalt is looking for Romeo as he wishes to avenge the Capulet’s honour by challenging him to a duel. He believes that Romeo has
dishonoured the Capulet family’s reputation by secretly attending Capulet’s ball.
b) When Romeo first arrives, what do we as an audience know that other characters do not? Explain what literary technique
Shakespeare uses here.
 Shakespeare employs dramatic irony when Romeo first arrives as the audience is aware that he has secretly married Juliet, but the
other characters aren’t. This dramatic irony helps add to the tension of this scene.
c) Why is Romeo unwilling to fight Tybalt? Why doesn’t he tell everyone that he has just married Juliet?
Romeo is unwilling to fight Tybalt despite his challenge because he “love(s) thee better than thou canst devise” (3.1.61) as he has
just married Tybalt’s cousin, Juliet. Romeo refuses to explain why he now holds the Capulet name “As dearly as my own” (3.1.65),
as he has married Juliet in secret due to the ongoing feud between their families.

16. Read the passage relating to Mercutio’s death (lines 58-73) again:
a) How does Mercutio describe his wound? What literary device is he using?
 “a scratch, a scratch” (3.1.85) - meiosis as he is deliberately understating his own wound. This is the opposite of hyperbole.
b) Can you find and explain a pun that Mercutio uses as he is dying?
 “…Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall/ find me a grave man….” (3.1.90)
Mercutio is punning on the meaning of the word “grave” - 1. burial site 2. serious.
c) What does Mercutio’s use of punning as he is dying, tell us about his character?
 Mercutio’s use of punning even as he is dying, highlights to the audience that he is someone who struggles to take even the most
grave situations seriously.
d) What do you think is the saddest or most emotive word or phrase used by Mercutio? Why?
 “A plague a’ both your houses!” (3.91) – he is cursing both the Capulets and Montagues whose feud has led to his death.
e) Do you think Mercutio’s joking and punning adds to the pathos (sadness) of his death or does it detract (take away) from
its impact?
 Yes – it does add to the tragedy. The audience knows that he is badly hurt, yet continues to joke. This intensifies the tragedy
through the contrast of Mercutio’s actual circumstances versus what he is saying as he dies.
17. Romeo’s character changes because of Mercutio’s death. How does Shakespeare show the change in Romeo’s character
through the language Romeo uses?
 Romeo: Again, in triumph, and Mercutio slain?
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! (3.1.112-115)
 His language changes from that of a lover “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee, doth much accede the appertaining rage”
that of an angry warrior, “And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!”. His speech is now spoken in short phrases like that of someone
who is angry, rather than the extended sentences of a blissful lover.
18. Remember one of the play’s key ideas is that personal weaknesses (base emotions or fatal flaws) tend to spread to other
characters. Therefore, what personal weakness seems to be spreading here?
 The base emotion of impulsivity and recklessness is spreading here. Romeo and Juliet impulsively fall in love and marry in secret.
Their deception ultimately leads to Tybalt killing Mercutio and then Romeo recklessly responding by slaying Tybalt.
ACT 3, SCENE 2
19. At the start of this scene what does the audience know that Juliet doesn’t? How does this (dramatic irony) create tension
or drama in the play?
 At the start Act 3 Scene 2, Shakespeare utilises dramatic irony as Juliet wishes for “Come, Night, come, Romeo, come thou day in
night” as she plans to spend the night with her husband. However, the audience is aware of what happened earlier in the play
after their marriage, where Romeo murdered Tybalt in revenged for Mercutio’s death and has hence been banished from Verona
by the Prince or else “that hour is his last” (3.1.186).
ACT 3, SCENE 3
20. Why do you think Romeo repeats the word “banished” so many times in this scene? Why would he rather be dead then
banished?
 Romeo repeats the word “banished” so many times, because he is upset that he is exiled from Verona where his love Juliet lives.
He would rather be dead then be physically separated from Juliet.
ACT 3, SCENE 4
21. The audience knows more than Capulet about what has recently happened. Why then is it ironic (strangely at odds with
reality) that Capulet believes Juliet is grieving over Tybalt’s death?
 It is ironic that Capulet believes Juliet is grieving over Tybalt’s death, when she is really upset that Romeo, her husband, has been
banished for killing Tybalt.
ACT 3, SCENE 5
22. How do Romeo and Juliet feel about parting? Give evidence from the scene.
 Romeo and Juliet are incredibly sad to part, but realise that Romeo must flee Verona or else he will be killed. Juliet early in the
scene claims that the morning hasn’t arrived when she states, “Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day” (3.5.1).
 It was the nightingale, and not the lark” (3.5.1-2). The nightingale traditionally sings during the night while larks make their calls in
their morning. Romeo also feels sad at their parting, “More light and light, more dark and dark our woes” (3.5.35)
23. How does Juliet’s father respond to her refusal to marry Paris? Why do you think he reacts this way?
 Juliet’s father, Capulet, is incredibly angry at her for refusing to marry Paris. As he believes it is his right to arrange a good marriage
for his daughter to an eligible bachelor who is wealthy and well-connected.
24. Notice that there are often clear rhyming patterns in Romeo and Juliet’s conversation: eg. “…day/ away, grows/ woes,
about/ out, descend/ friend”. Can you think why Shakespeare might write like this -Romeo and Juliet completing each
other’s lines or using rhyming couplets?
 Shakespeare employs the techniques of Romeo and Juliet completing each other’s line, and using rhyming couplets to demonstrate
the strength and closeness of their bond.
25. Shakespeare has Romeo and Juliet using words “die…dead…tomb…blood” quite often in this scene. What might this be
foreshadowing (hinting at) that might happen later in the play?
 The use of such words like “die…dead…tomb…blood” that have a negative connotation foreshadow the eventual tragic fate of
Romeo and Juliet.
ACT 4 SCENE 1
26. Juliet’s use of Hyperbole
a) Quote some of Juliet’s lines or phrases that are examples of hyperbole.
 Juliet: Or bid me leap, rather than marry Paris
off the battlements of any tower
…or bid me lurk
where serpents lie, or chain me with roaring bears (4.1.78-85) etc
b) What is Shakespeare trying to show us about Juliet’s state of mind by using these examples of hyperbole?
 Through the use of hyperbole, Shakespeare is demonstrating how overwhelmingly upset and potentially impulsive Juliet is at the
thought of being separated from Romeo, who has been banished.
27. This scene continues a key idea: deception leads to misunderstanding and results in tragedy. Create a table similar to the
one below for your notes.
What deception occurs in the Juliet will return to her parents, pretending to be a dutiful daughter, who will marry Paris the
second half of this scene? next day. She will secretly take a potion that will make her appear dead. This deception will
allow her to avoid being married, and dishonouring her secret husband Romeo. The plan is
Romeo will return from Mantua and rescue her from the family vault.
See if you can predict how this Juliet’s family will believe she is dead and bury her (according to plan) in the family vault. If
deception might lead to Romeo doesn’t receive the letter from the Friar, he will think that she is dead too and commit
misunderstanding. suicide as he has already threatened to do so.
Finally what tragedy might result The deaths of both Romeo and Juliet
from the deception and
misunderstanding?
ACT 4 SCENE 2
28. The mood of a piece of writing generally refers to the attitude or feeling evoked in the reader. For example, Shakespeare
creates a dark, even foreboding mood at the end of Act 3, but an excited and joyful mood at the end of Act 2 Scene 2, the
balcony scene. How would you describe the mood created by the final two lines of the scene? What do you think creates
this mood?
Capulet: …My heart is wondrous light,
Since this wayward girl is so reclaimed. (4.2.45-6)
 Shakespeare creates a sense of suspense in these two lines, through the use of dramatic irony. The audience knows of Juliet’s
secret plans but her family does not, helping to create a feeling of mounting tension. Capulet is positively happy at the impending
wedding of Juliet and Paris, but the audience knows this won’t happen.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
29. Shakespeare shows Juliet’s state of mind through various elements of language, as pointed out in Question 1. Construct a
table like the one below for your notes to help you on other aspects of Juliet’s language in this scene:
Element of Language Examples from the Scene What do these language devices show us about Juliet’s state of
mind?
Punctuation and short sentence Numerous question marks, Juliet is highly emotionally excited as the numerous question
length exclamation marks and short marks, exclamation marks and short sentences imply that she
(4.3.30-5) sentences is breathless and teary.
Interruption to the rhythm of See the beginning of Juliet’s long The interruption to the rhythm of the iambic pentameter
the language (iambic speech after the Nurse and Lady highlights Juliet’s fluctuating will in regards to whether she
pentameter) Capulet leave should go through with the Friar’s plan or not.
(4.3.15-20)
Gruesome imagery “madly play with my forefathers The gruesome imagery draws attention to gravity of the
joints” situation Juliet is facing, as well as her highly charged and
“dash out my desperate brains” emotional state.
Harsh sounding, negative words “mangled” The harsh, negative words highlight her fears and dramatic
“stifled” emotional state.

ACT 5 SCENE 1
30. Describe the language Romeo uses when Balthasar tells him of Juliet’s death. How is it different from language he used
earlier in the play?
 Romeo’s language becomes more direct and practical as he orders Balthasar to help him in his plans to lie with Juliet in her family
vault – “…get me ink and paper/ And hire post-horses; I will hence tonight” (5.1.26). This is a contrast to the Romeo of earlier in
the play who spoke the highly poetic language of love and wasn’t very practical.
ACT 5 SCENE 3
31. The word “O” is repeated numerous times throughout Romeo’ speech. Why do you think Shakespeare does this?
 Shakespeare repeated use of the word “O” highlights to the audience, how emotionally upset and desperate Romeo is in this scene.
32. In his final soliloquy, Romeo comments at length on how Juliet is still beautiful, despite her being dead for some time. Make
a list of everything beautiful he notices about her. What is ironic about his description of her beauty?
 Romeo: Death, that hath sucked thy honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:
Thou art not conquered, beauty’s ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks
And Death’s pale flag is not advanced there. (5.3.92-5)
….
Why art thou so fair? (5.3102)
ACT 5 SCENE 3
33. Why do you think Shakespeare sees it as necessary that the Friar retells the whole story in this scene?
 Shakespeare sees it as necessary for the Friar to retell the story so that it is clear that both the Montague and Capulet families fully
understand that their feud has led to the tragic deaths of their beloved children. It also gives the audience chance to reflect on the
plot, as well.
34. How do the deaths of Romeo and Juliet affect their families?
 Montague and Capulet decide to end their feud as the Prince states, “See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,/ That heaven finds
means to kill your joys with love!”, which means “All are punished.”

EXTRA QUESTIONS
35. Who is to blame for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet? Why? Explain
a. Romeo and Juliet
b. Friar Laurence
c. The families
 Ultimately Shakespeare sees the Montague and Capulet families as responsible for their children’s deaths. Romeo and Juliet hid
their marriage due to the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. He uses the figure of the Prince to reinforce this view as he
states:
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love!
And I for winking at your discords too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished. (5.3.292-295)
 However, Shakespeare also sees Romeo and Juliet as partly responsible for their deaths as both are reckless and impulsive in their
love for each other, and quickly marry after meeting rather than consider the consequences. Friar Laurence warns them about
being too hasty, when he says at their marriage that “These violent delights have violent ends” (2.6.9), which effectively
foreshadows their deaths as a result of their impulsive and reckless love.
36. What does Shakespeare have say to about the following ideas in Romeo and Juliet? Use evidence from the text to support
your argument.
a. Love and hate
 Shakespeare sees love and hate as binary opposites that in the play are finely balanced. He warns his audience about the danger
of too much love or too much hate. Romeo is characterised as having too much love in the way he shifts his affections so suddenly
from Rosaline to Juliet. He declares at the Capulet ball that Juliet “doth teach the torches to burn bright” (1.5.43), where this
exaggerated metaphor emphasizes the extent of her beauty compared to the other women. Tybalt acts a direct contrast to Romeo,
as he is motivated by hate as depicted in the opening brawl where he responds to Benvolio’s request to help keep the peace with
“What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word/ As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (1.1.61-2).
b. Impulsivity and recklessness
 Shakespeare is critical of both Romeo and Juliet for their impulsivity and recklessness in getting secretly married, and not
considering the consequences. He constantly warns them both through the foreshadowing of their deaths, and Friar Laurence’s
explicit comments at their wedding to “love moderately” and the antithesis of how “The sweetest honey / Is loathsome in his own
deliciousness” (2.6.11-14), that being impulsive and reckless can be dangerous and lead to unintended consequences.
c. Fate
 In Elizabethan England, when Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet most people believed that a person’s fate was pre-determined
and could be predicted through astrological readings of the stars. He constantly makes references to the stars and fate throughout
the play with examples like “a pair of star-crossed lovers” (Prologue.6) and “…my mind misgives/ some consequence yet hanging in
the stars” (1.4.106). This idea is further reinforced in the way chance determines so many events from Benvolio convincing Romeo
to attend the Capulet’s Ball, to Tybalt accidentally killing Mercutio when he meant to duel with Romeo, and finally Friar Laurence’s
letter to Romeo going astray.