Act 1: “My only love sprung from my only hate!” __________________
Anticipation Guide – T or F
_____Some things are fated to happen, and we have no control over them.
_____Family feuds only harm the families involved
_____Love at first sight is possible
1. What are your beliefs about fate?
2. What role do you think a family should have in the selection of their child’s wife
or husband?
3. As you read, notice the opposites (love/hate, light/dark) that Shakespeare provides
in his language and imagery. What do you think the purpose of opposites might
be in this pay?
Literary Elements
1. Foil – character in literature who has qualities that are in sharp contrast to another
character, thus emphasizing the abilities of each. (i.e. Tigger and Rabbit)
a. How is Mercutio a foil to Romeo?
2. Foreshadowing – refers to hints in the text about what will occur later (Romeo’s
dream)
3. Hyperbole – obvious exaggeration (Romeo’s declaration of love for Rosaline)
4. Pun – play on words
5. Conflicts
Act 2: “O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo? __________________
Anticipation Guide
_____Boys suffer over unrequited love as much as girls do
_____True love is worth the sacrifice of family and friends
_____Long engagements are better than short ones
1. Do you believe it’s possible to fall in love this fast?
2. Be on the lookout for images that appeal to the senses; this kind of language
caries a powerful emotional impact
3. What might be the possible consequences of R&J’s marriage?
Literary Elements
1. Figurative Language – writing or speech not meant to be interpreted literally
2. Metaphor- direct comparison of unlike things w/o using like or as
a. Juliet’s eyes to stars, Romeo to a rose or god, love to a winged creature,
night to a mask
3. Imagery – language that appeals to the five senses and adds emotion and power to
writing (may include personification)
a. List images of light, dark and fire in Scene ii. – game
4. Soliloquies – alone on stage, allows characters to reveal their innermost thoughts
and feelings to the audience
5. Malapropism – comic mistake uttered by certain characters
a. Nurse suggests that she is uneducated
Act III: “A plague o’ both your houses” _____________________________
Anticipation Guide
____If an adult knows a young person is heading for serious trouble, he or she has a
responsibility to tell that person’s parents
____Youthful marriages seldom work out
Literary Elements
1. Theme – underlying meaning or message of a work of literature
2. Oxymoron – contradictory words are paired (lots in scene ii)
3. Repetition – used to increase the tension and emotional impact of a speech or
scene (as used in MLKJr’s “I have a Dream” speech)
4. Hyperbole – obvious over-exaggeration
a. equates Juliet’s home with heaven, compares banishment to death
Act IV: “What if it be a poison . . .” _______________________________
____Dreams can warn us about future events
In ten steps or less, outline what Romeo and Juliet’s Plan is.
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________
8. ________________________________________________
9. ________________________________________________
10. ________________________________________________
What could go wrong?
Literary Elements
1. Comic Relief – Peter and musicians scene
2. Allusion – reference to historical or literary figure, happening, or event that is
meant to enhance the meaning of the story.
3. Dramatic Irony – audience knows more than some of the characters in the play
4. Personification – human characteristics to nonhuman things or objects
Act V: “Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace!” ______________________
_____Revenge is sometimes justifiable.
_____Love is blind
_____Suicide is never justifiable
Literary elements
1. Tragedy
2. Tragic Flaw
3. Irony (Romeo’s opening soliloquy in Act V Scene I)
4. themes
Identify scene – explain importance of each to the plot
Juliet’s room
Public place – streets
Ball
Capulet’s orchard:
Friar Lawrence cell
Capulet tomb
Strategies to help understand the play
a. Read the scene summary
b. Use notes in margins
c. Keep reading
i. Use stage directions
ii. Wait to reread
d. Learn Shakespearean vocab
e. Rearrange sentences (sometimes verb comes before subject)
f. Think about the characters
g. Interpret figurative language
i. Def =
h. read passages aloud – it’s a play, meant to be performed
i. Make a collage of today using – pictures drawings word
Understanding parts
Chorus – like narrator
a. comments on action
b. analyze character decisions
c. articulate values and expectations of the audience
d. suggests a central theme
Count = nobleman
Page – person who carries messages and runs errands
Friar – member of Catholic religious order
Apothecary – druggist
Maskers – people wearing masks