Romeo and Juliet – Acts 3 to 5 Questions – Harcourt Edition
Act 3, Scene 1
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What is the weather like at the start of Act 3? What does this foreshadow?
What does Romeo mean when he responds to Tybalt by saying “Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee / Doth
much excuse the appertaining rage To such a greeting.”?
Describe what occurs in the fight between Tybalt and Mercutio.
Explain the meaning of the pun on line 97.
What does Romeo mean when he says “O sweet Juliet! / Thy Beauty hath made me effeminate…”?
Why does Romeo end up fighting with Tybalt after all? What happens?
What does Romeo mean when he says “O, I am fortune’s fool.”?
A) What do the Capulets demand the Prince to assign as Romeo’s punishment?
B) What does he decide to do instead?
C) Why do you think he makes this decision?
Define the terms “free will” and “predestination” and explain how they are applicable to this scene.
Act 3, Scene 2
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Give an example of the following figures of speech between lines 1 and 31:
-allusion
-apostrophe
-personification
-simile
-hyperbole
What news does the Nurse bring Juliet? What does Juliet mistakenly think happened?
Give an example of oxymoron between lines 73 and 84.
How does Juliet react to the Nurse’s news? Why is the Nurse surprised at this reaction?
Give an example of a pun between lines 130 and 137. Explain the meaning.
What does Juliet threaten to do if she cannot see Romeo again?
-metaphor
Act 3, Scene 3
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How is Romeo reacting to the day’s events?
Why is Romeo so upset when he learns from the Friar that he has been banished?
What are the positive things that the Friar points out in an attempt to cheer Romeo up?
What news does the Nurse pass on to Romeo from Juliet?
Act 3, Scene 4
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Why does Old Capulet change his mind about Juliet getting married?
When is Juliet supposed to marry Paris?
Act 3, Scene 5
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What is the symbolic meaning of the lark and the nightingale at the start of this scene?
What has occurred on this night?
Provide an example of foreshadowing on page 197.
What does Juliet mean when she refers to fortune as being fickle?
Provide an example of foreshadowing on page 199.
A) Why do Old Capulet and Lady Capulet think Juliet has been crying?
B) Why has she actually been crying?
7. How does Old Capulet react when Juliet refuses to marry Paris? Be specific when discussing the threats he makes.
Does he have a right to be this angry?
8. Explain the meaning of the following lines from Juliet: “Delay this marriage for a month, a week; / Or, if you do
not, make the bridal bed / In that dim monument where Tybalt lies.”
9. What advice does the Nurse give to Juliet?
10. What does Juliet let on she is going to do at the end of the scene? Why is she really going there?
11. Does Lady Capulet stick up for Juliet in this scene? What does this suggest about Lady Capulet?
Act 4, Scene 1
1. Juliet threatens to kill herself if Friar Laurence does not have a plane to remedy the situation. Describe the plan that
the Friar comes up with in detail.
2. How does Friar Laurence intend on telling Romeo of his plan?
Act 4, Scene 2
1. What does Juliet tell Old Capulet and Lady Capulet when she returns from Friar Laurence’s?
2. Do Old Capulet and Lady Capulet believe Juliet?
Act 4, Scene 3
1. List the fears that Juliet has as she lies down and drinks the Friar’s potion.
2. Identify and explain a simile between lines 45 and 50.
Act 4, Scene 4
1. What is the purpose of this short scene?
Act 4, Scene 5
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What does the Nurse think she has discovered?
When Friar Laurence asks Old Capulet if Juliet is ready to go to church, what does he mean when he says “Ready
to go, but never to return.”
What does Old Capulet mean when he says “Death is my son-in-law, death is my heir; / My daughter he hath
wedded.”? What is this type of figure of speech?
Provide an example of apostrophe on page 247.
How does Friar Laurence deceive Juliet’s parents? How does he try to comfort them?
Act 5, Scene 1
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Provide an example of foreshadowing between lines 1 and 11.
What news does Balthasar bring Romeo? Explain Romeo’s reaction to this news.
What is the double meaning of Romeo’s line “Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight.”?
What is an apothecary?
What illegal product does Romeo want from the apothecary? Why is he quite sure that the apothecary will
give it to him?
Act 5, Scene 2
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What happened to Friar John that did not allow him to get Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo?
What is Friar Laurence’s reaction to Friar John’s news?
a) What is Friar Laurence’s new plan to make things right?
b) What is a potential flaw in this plan?
Act 5, Scene 3
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Provide an example of a metaphor between lines 12 and 21.
Why is Paris visiting the Capulet tomb?
Provide an example of a simile between lines 35 and 39.
a) What does Romeo mean when he speaks to the tomb and says “I’ll cram thee with more food!”?
b) What type of figure of speech is this (when one speaks to an object as if it were alive)?
Why does Paris want to kill Romeo so badly?
a) Why does Romeo warn Paris that he should leave the tomb?
b) What happens when he refuses to leave?
Provide an example of personification between lines 88 and 120.
Why does Romeo drag Paris’ body into the Capulet tomb and place it beside Juliet?
Provide two examples of light imagery between lines 88 and 120.
Explain what happens to Romeo.
When Friar Laurence discovers Romeo and Paris dead, what does he ask the recently awakened Juliet to do?
What happens to Juliet?
What do we learn has happened to Lady Montague, Romeo’s mother?
What does the Prince mean when he says: “Where be these enemies? - Capulet! Montague! / See what a
scourge is laid upon your hate, / That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love; / …All are punished.”?
Explain what happens at the end of the play.
Provide an example of personification between lines 305 and 310.