THE TRAGEDY OF by William Shakespeare Study Guide English 9 Higher Learning 1 Elizabethan England – 1558 to 1603 Elizabeth I was named Queen of England in 1558. This time period, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, was also known as “The Golden Age.” This Elizabethan Era was an age of peace and prosperity where the arts flourished Famous writers of the time included William Shakespeare, Francis Bacon, Edmund Spencer, and Ben Johnson Themes in the writing focused on self-confidence and the energy of the time. Literacy was more common so the demand for books was increasing. Theater began as a form of entertainment only for the elite and wealthy, but gradually changed to include all social classes. Plays consisted of splendor and exaggeration, and usually contained action, romance, dancing, puns, and sword fights. Groundlings were the poorer people who only paid a penny to stand in the pit surrounding the stage. Hazelnuts were the Elizabethan equivalent to the popcorn of today. Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake's added to the nation's prestige and competitiveness in navigation and exploration. England defeated the mighty Spanish Armada in 1588, and gained the reputation of the world’s greatest Naval power. After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, King James I took over the throne of England. In 1607, Jamestown is established as America’s first colony. 2 The Life of William Shakespeare Though William Shakespeare is recognized as one of literature’s greatest influences, very little is actually known about him. What we do know about his life comes from registrar records, court records, wills, marriage certificates and his tombstone. Anecdotes and criticisms by his rivals also speak of the famous playwright and suggest that he was indeed a playwright, poet and an actor. William was born in 1564 in the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon in England. We don’t actually know his birthday but from records we assume he was born around April 23 or 24, 1564. From baptism records, we know William's father was a John Shakespeare, said to be a town official of Stratford and a local businessman who dabbled in tanning and leatherwork which is working with white leather to make items like purses and gloves. John also dealt in grain and sometimes was described as a glover by trade. William's mother was Mary Arden who married John Shakespeare in 1557. The youngest daughter in her family, she inherited much of her father’s landowning and farming estate when he died. It is known that the King’s New Grammar School taught boys basic reading and writing. Therefore it is assumed that William attended this school since it existed to educate the sons of Stratford. A bond certificate dated November the 28th, 1582, reveals that an eighteen-year-old William married the twenty-six and pregnant Anne Hathaway. Barely seven months later, they had his first daughter, Susanna. Anne never left Stratford, living there her entire life. Baptism records show that William’s first child, Susanna was baptized in Stratford sometime in May, 1583. Baptism records again reveal that twins Hamnet and Judith were born in February 1585. Hamnet, William's only son died in 1596, just eleven years old. Looking for work in London, just four days ride way from Stratford, William is believed to have left his family back home for some twenty years while he pursued his craft. By 1592, he was a distinguished playwright and actor. In 1594, he helped to create the acting group Lord Chamberlain’s Men, which would later be called The King’s Men. Shakespeare became the foremost dramatist of his day, composing 154 sonnets and thirty-seven plays. When his plays were performed many times he acted in them. Some of his most famous and frequently performed plays are: Hamlet, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello. In 1599, The Globe Theater was constructed. Shakespeare was list as one of the owners, and it became the exclusive theater for his plays. In 1610, Shakespeare retired to Stratford-Upon- Avon, a wealthy man. He died on April the 23rd, 1616. Literature's famous Bard is buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. He infamously left his second-best bed to his wife Anne Hathaway and little else, giving most of his estate to his eldest daughter Susanna. This was not as callous as it seems; the Bard's best bed was for guests; his second-best bed was his marriage bed. 3 Break it Down Directions: Create an outline of Shakespeare’s life. Choose the most important elements from the biography and list them below. 4 The Globe Theater HISTORY The Globe Theatre was an early English theatre in London where most of William Shakespeare's plays were first presented. It was built in 1599 by two brothers, Richard and Cuthbert Burbage, who owned its predecessor, The Theatre. In the winter of 1598, the lease on The Theatre was due to expire because of an increase in rent. The Burbage brothers decided to demolish the building piece by piece, ship the pieces across the Thames River to Southwark on the south bank, and rebuild it there. Theatres were often closed during Shakespeare’s time due to Puritans and the plague The original structure of the Globe Theatre stood until 29 June, 1613, when its thatched roof was set ablaze by a cannon fired in a performance of Henry VIII and the Globe burned to the ground. The Globe was reconstructed in 1614, with tiles replacing flammable straw on its roof. In 1644, the Globe was torn down, leveled, and tenement housing was built on the site. In September 1999, a reconstructed Globe Theatre officially opened in London, 500 years after the first plays were performed in the original theatre. STRUCTURE Globe as a hexagonal structure with an inner court about 55 feet across. It was threestories high and had no roof. The open air arena, called the “pit” or the “yard”, had a raised stage at one end and was surrounded by three tiers of roofed galleries with balconies overlooking the back of the stage. The stage projected halfway into the “pit.” Underneath the floors of the outer and inner stages was a large cellar called "hell", allowing for the dramatic appearance of ghosts and the like. The stage of the Globe was a level platform about 43 feet in width some 27 or 28 feet deep that was raised about five feet off the ground. The stage was fitted with a number of mechanisms, like trap doors and a sub-stage. On the fourth side of the stage was an adjacent "tiring" house, where costume changes were made. It was capped by a small turret structure, from which a flag and a trumpeter would announce the day's performances. 5 The second level of the tiring-house contained a central balcony stage in the middle, used in plays like Romeo and Juliet The third level consisted of a central music gallery and two large lofts on either side of it, used as storage and dressing rooms. Above the “Tiring House” were small house-like structures called the “huts”, complete with thatched roofs. This space was used for the sound effects and pulley system. 6 Shakespeare’s Language Unusual Word Arrangements Did people really speak the way they do in Shakespeare's plays? NO!!! Shakespeare wrote the way he did for poetic and dramatic purposes. There are many reasons why he did this – to create a specific poetic rhythm, to emphasize a certain word, to give a character a specific speech pattern, etc. A typical sentence in normal order begins with a subject, followed by a verb and an object. For example: I ate the sandwich. Those same four words can be rearranged to form six sentences with similar meaning: I the sandwich ate. Ate the sandwich I. Ate I the sandwich. The sandwich I ate. The sandwich ate I. Shakespeare likes to mix it up, often starting with the object before including the verb and subject. Rearranging in the order that makes the most sense to you (I ate the sandwich) will be one of your first steps in making sense of Shakespeare's language. Omissions For the sake of his poetry, Shakespeare often left out letters, syllables, and whole words. These omissions really aren't that much different from the way we speak today. We say: "Been to class yet?" "Nope. Heard we gotta test." "Wha'sup wi'that?" We leave out words and parts of words to speed up our speech. If we were speaking in complete sentences, we would say: "Have you been to class yet?" "No, I have not been to class. I heard that we have a test today." "What is up with that?" A few examples of Shakespearean omissions/contractions are: 'tis ~ it is ope ~ open o'er ~ over gi' ~ give ne'er ~ never i' ~ in e'er ~ ever oft ~ often a' ~ he e'en ~ even 7 Unusual Words Most of us run into problems when we come across words that are no longer used in Modern English. Or worse, when we run across words that are still used today but have much different meanings than when Shakespeare used (or invented!) the words. This is particularly troublesome when we think we know what the word means, but the line still doesn't make sense. Although it is frustrating when we come across these unknown words, it is not surprising. Shakespeare's vocabulary included 30,000 words. Today our vocabularies only run between 6,000 and 15,000 words! Because Shakespeare loved to play with words, he also created new words that we still use today. Examples include: ABSOLUTE: positive, certain, complete ATTEND: to listen to AVOID: get rid of BAN: to curse CAGE: a prison CENTURY: a hundred of anything COMBINE: to bind COMPETITOR: one who seeks the same thing CONSORT: company; to accompany CONSTANCY: consistency CONVERT: to change CRACK: a loud noise, clap CUNNING: skill; skilful DARE: to challenge DEFY: renounce DIET: food regulated by the rules of medicine DRY: thirsty ENTERTAIN: encounter; experience EXPRESS: to reveal FILE: a list or catalogue FLEETING: inconstant FULL: complete FURNISHED: equipped GALLOW: to scare HINT: suggestion HENCHMAN: a page or attendant IMPEACH: to bring into question INQUISITION: enquiry JUTTY: a projection KEEP: to restrain LIKE: to please; to liken, compare METAPHYSICAL: supernatural NAPKIN: a handkerchief OPEN: plain; public OPPOSITE: adversary OPPOSITION: combat PREVENT: to anticipate QUEASY: squeamish, unsettled RECEIPT: money received RETIRE: retreat; to draw back REVERB: to echo SCAN: to examine SEARCH: to probe SHRIFT: confession SOT: fool STATUE: image, picture STINT: to stop STRANGER: foreigner STUFFED: filled, stored TOYS: trifles UTTER: to expel, put forth VALIDITY: value VERBAL: wordy VERY: true, real WARD: guard WEE: small, tiny WIT: knowledge, wisdom WORSHIP: to honor WOUND: twisted about WRUNG: twisted, strained YEARN: to grieve, vex ZANY: a clown 8 Understanding Words from Elizabethan Times The English language is always evolving. Since Shakespeare’s time, many of the words in Romeo and Juliet have disappeared or changed in meaning. Your task is read each quotation and use context clues to choose the word or phrase from the list below that best defines the italicized word or phrase in the quotation. Write the letter of the definition on the line at the right. 1. “The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. Draw thy tool.” 1. __________ 2. “I will frown as I pass by and let them take it as they list.” 2. __________ 3. “Find those persons out whose names on written here, and to them say my house and welcome on their pleasure stay.” 3. __________ 4. “Of honorable reckoning are you both, and pity ‘tis you lived at odds so long.” 4. __________ 5. “At this same ancient feast of Capulet’s sups the fair Rosaline…” 5. __________ 6. “Prodigious birth of love it is to me that I must love a loathed enemy.” 6. __________ A. reputation D. await B. weapon E. traditional C. monstrous F. please 9 Poetry We speak in prose, or language without metrical structure. Shakespeare wrote both prose and verse (poetry), usually in the following forms: Blank Verse: unrhymed iambic pentameter. (“Common Language”) Iambic Pentameter: five beats of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables (“daDUH”); ten syllables per line. Meter means rhythm. “So fair / and foul / a day / I have / not seen” “The course / of true / love nev/er did / run smooth” Sonnets Sonnets are fourteen-line poems made of three quatrains and one couplet, written in iambic pentameter. When following the rhyme scheme, we use letters to indicate each rhyme. A quatrain is a series of four rhymed lines with a pattern of ABAB, meaning that the rhyme matches up every other line – the first and third lines, the second and fourth lines, etc. A couplet is a series of two rhymed lines with a pattern of AA, meaning that the ends of both lines rhyme with each other, or have the same sound. For Example: Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd; But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou growest: So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this and this gives life to thee. 10 Now here is the same sonnet with the meter and rhyme scheme shown for you: Sonnet 18 Shall I / compare / thee to / a sum/mer's day? Thou art / more love/ly and / more temp/erate: Rough winds / do shake / the dar/ling buds / of May, And sum/mer's lease / hath all / too short / a date: Sometime / too hot / the eye / of heav/en shines, And of/ten is / his gold / complex/ion dimm'd; And eve/ry fair / from fair / sometime / declines, By chance / or na/ture's chang/ing course / untrimm'd; But thy / eter/nal sum/mer shall / not fade Nor lose / possess/ion of / that fair / thou owest; Nor shall / Death brag / thou wand/’rest in / his shade, When in / eter/nal lines / to time / thou grow’st: So long / as men / can breathe / or eyes / can see, So long / lives this / and this / gives life / to thee. A B A B C D C D E F E F G G Now you try it! Write in the rhyme scheme and the breaks between each iamb. Sonnet 29 (from Hamlet) When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings. 11 Anticipatory Survey Consider the fourteen following social offenses, and rank each in order of seriousness. 1 is the most serious, 14 is the least serious. ____________ Planning to trick someone ____________ Lying to parents ____________ Killing someone for revenge ____________ Advising someone to marry for money ____________ Two families having a feud ____________ Selling poison ____________ Killing someone by mistake while fighting ____________ Cursing/swearing ____________ Killing someone in self-defense ____________ Suicide ____________ Crashing a party ____________ Marrying against parents’ wishes ____________ Giving the finger ____________ Picking a fight 12 CAST OF CHARACTERS The Montagues NAME Romeo Lord Montague Lady Montague Benvolio Balthasar Abram DESCRIPTION 13 The Capulets NAME Juliet Lord Capulet Lady Capulet Tybalt Nurse Peter Sampson and Gregory DESCRIPTION 14 Other Characters NAME The Chorus Count Paris Mercutio Prince Escalus Friar Lawrence Friar John The Apothecary DESCRIPTION 15 ACT I Vocabulary Augmenting: Grievance: Heretics: Pernicious: Transgression: Scene i Summary: In the Prologue, the Chorus tells us that there has been an ancient family feud between the to forget her. Answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. Benvolio is the peacemaker in this play. How do you know this? 2. Tybalt, in contrast to Benvolio, is the troublemaker in the play. How do you know he wants the feud to continue? 3. How do the citizens of Verona feel about the Capulet and Montague feud? 16 4. How does the Prince feel about the feud? 5. Why are the Montagues concerned about Romeo? Describe how he’s been acting. 6. What information is Benvolio able to get from Romeo? 7. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? 8. How does Romeo respond to Benvolio’s advice? 9. Do you think Romeo is in love with Rosaline or in love with the idea of being in love? Explain. Scene ii Summary: Paris asks Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Capulet thinks she is still too young. He invites Paris to a feast that night so that Juliet can get to know him. Capulet sends his servant to invite the gusts. The servant is, however, unable to read. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What is Capulet’s attitude toward the feud in the first three lines of this scene? 2. What are Capulet’s two conditions for allowing Paris to marry Juliet? 1 2 17 3. What does Benvolio mean when he says, “Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow”? 4. Why does Romeo agree to go to the feast? Scene iii Summary: The Nurse goes on and on about a dirty comment made by her late husband until Lady Capulet finally interrupts to ask how Juliet feels about marriage. Juliet says that marriage is not on her mind, but after hearing the description of Paris, consents to try to win his affection. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. How do you know Juliet is respectful and obedient? 2. What do Juliet’s mother and the Nurse think about Paris? Lady Capulet: The Nurse: 3. How does Juliet feel about marriage? 4. How much interest does Juliet have in Paris? 5. Would it be a compliment to be called a “man of wax?” Explain. Scene iv Summary: 18 Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Describe Romeo’s mood as he and his friends go to the party. 2. Do you think Romeo is focused on the person he loves or himself? Why? 3. What is Mercutio’s purpose for delivering the Queen Mab speech? 4. What does the Queen Mab speech tell us about Mercutio ’s personality? 5. How does Romeo feel at the end of the scene? 6. What literary technique is being used here? Scene v Summary: At the party, Capulet and a cousin decide to leave the dancing to the younger people. Romeo sees Juliet and instantly falls in love. Nurse tells Juliet that Romeo is a Montague. 19 Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Do you think Romeo was really in love with Rosaline? Explain. 2. How is Tybalt’s hot-tempered nature revealed in this scene? 3. Lord Capulet gives Tybalt two reasons he shouldn’t fight Romeo. What are they? 1 2 4. What kind of reputation does Romeo have in Verona? 5. How does Juliet react to Romeo? 6. What does Juliet mean when she says, “Go ask his name. If he be married, My grave is like to be my marriage bed.”? ACT II Vocabulary Cunning: Kinsmen: 20 Lamentable: Procure: Sallow: Unwieldy: Variable: Vile: Waverer: Scene i Summary The Chorus tells us that Romeo’s old love cannot compare with his new love; however, he has once again fallen in love based on appearances. Romeo and Juliet have trouble meeting in the typical way that other couples would, but their love drives them to overcome their problems. to draw him out of hiding first by mythical references, then by making remarks about Rosaline. When it doesn’t work, they give up and leave. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. According to the Chorus, what has caused Romeo to fall in love with both Rosaline and Juliet? 2. What does Romeo do after the Capulet party? Why? 3. What do Benvolio and Mercutio believe about Romeo’s love for Rosaline? 21 Scene ii Summary Romeo, hiding in the Capulet’s orchard, sees Juliet come to the window and compares her to the sun and her eyes to the stars. Juliet says it is the name Montague that is her enemy, not Romeo. After discussing their love for one another, Juliet proposes they get married. She will send a messenger to Romeo by 9am the next day in order to settle the details of the marriage. After talking most of the night, Juliet returns to her chamber, and Romeo goes to seek advice from Friar Lawrence. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What does Romeo say in the first line of the scene? Who is he talking about? 2. “Juliet is the sun” is an example of what kind of literary technique? 3. What does “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” mean? 4. Why is Romeo not afraid to speak to Juliet in the orchard? 5. According to Romeo, how did he get into the Capulet orchard? 6. What would cause Romeo not to care if he were discovered and killed? 7. Why doesn’t Juliet want Romeo to swear his love on the moon? 8. What plans do Juliet and Romeo make? Who’s the first to mention it? 22 Scene iii Summary: Romeo goes to talk to Friar Lawrence, who is praising the power of nature. Romeo tells the Friar that he’s in love with Capulet’s daughter and wishes to marry her today. The Friar makes fun of Romeo for forgetting Rosaline so quickly, but agrees to help Romeo marry Juliet. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What time of day is it at the beginning of this scene? 2. What does Friar Lawrence think when Romeo says he’s not yet been to bed? 3. Why does the Friar tease Romeo? 4. According to the Friar, how do young men fall in love? 5. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo & Juliet? 6. What is the Friar’s advice to Romeo, who is anxious to get married? Scene iv Summary meet him at Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon for the wedding. Answer the following in complete sentences. 23 1. What does Mercutio say is the purpose of Tybalt’s letter? Why might this be true? 2. Why is Mercutio worried about Romeo fighting Tybalt? 3. How does Mercutio treat the Nurse when she arrives to meet Romeo? 4. List three things Romeo requests of the Nurse. 1 2 3 Scene v Summary Juliet anxiously awaits the Nurse’s return. The Nurse teases Juliet about Romeo’s answer to her marriage proposal. Finally, the Nurse tells Juliet to meet Romeo at Friar Lawrence’s cell. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why is Juliet upset that the Nurse hasn’t returned quickly? 2. How does the Nurse treat Juliet before giving her the news? Scene vi Summary Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about loving too quickly. Juliet enters and the three exit to perform the wedding ceremony. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What does the Friar want the heavens to smile upon? 24 2. How does the Friar advise Romeo to love? 3. Explain the Friar’s closing comment in this scene. ACT III Vocabulary Abhors: Agile: 25 Eloquence: Exile: Fickle: Fray: Gallant: Martial: Tedious: Scene i Summary On a hot day, has happened, and despite Lady Capulet’s request for Romeo’s head, the Prince banishes Romeo from Verona. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why is Benvolio worried that he and Mercutio will not be able to “’scape a brawl?” 2. Is Mercutio’s description of Benvolio’s personality accurate? Explain. 3. When Tybalt enters, who is the first to mention the possibility of a fight? 26 4. How does Romeo act when he and Tybalt meet? Why? 5. Why does Romeo’s behavior anger Mercutio? 6. How is Mercutio wounded? 7. Give an example of a pun (a play on words) Mercutio uses, even as he is dying. 8. What does Mercutio mean when he says, “A plague a’ both your houses!” 9. What does Romeo mean when he says, “O, I am fortune’s fool!” 10. Why does Romeo feel he must fight Tybalt? What happens as a result? 11. Benvolio’s monologue reviews the events leading up to the two deaths. Is it accurate? 12. Why does Lady Capulet demand Romeo’s head? 13. How does Montague defend Romeo’s actions? 14. What is Prince Escalus’ decision about Romeo? 27 Scene ii Summary To ease Juliet’s sorrow, the Nurse promises to find Romeo in order to make sure he comes to Juliet’s chambers that night. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. When the Nurse first brings the news to Juliet, who does she think is dead? 2. When Juliet finds out the Romeo killed Tybalt, what is her first reaction? 3. What is the Nurse’s opinion of men in general? 4. How does Juliet justify Romeo killing Tybalt? 5. What does Juliet consider worse, Tybalt’s death or Romeo’s banishment? 6. How does the Nurse plan to comfort Juliet? 7. What symbol of her love does Juliet send Romeo? 8. Where is Romeo hiding? 28 Scene iii Summary Friar Lawrence tells Romeo that he is banished. Romeo cries out that he would rather be put to death than be exiled from Verona and Juliet. The Nurse enters and tells Romeo to stand up and stop acting like a fool. Friar Lawrence tells Romeo to be happy that it’s Romeo. He then tells Romeo to go and see Juliet, but to leave Verona by dawn. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why do you think Romeo would rather be put to death than be banished from Verona? Explain. 2. What seems to be the most upsetting part of being banished for Romeo? 3. What does the Friar mean when he says, “Be patient, for the world is broad and wide?” 4. How does Romeo justify refusing the Friar’s advice and comfort? 5. What does Romeo do that could put the Friar’s (and his) life in danger? 6. What does Romeo fear Juliet is feeling? 7. What does the Nurse stop Romeo from doing? 8. Friar Lawrence gives Romeo three reasons he should be happy. What are they? 29 1 2 3 9. What is the Friar’s plan? 10. What does the Nurse give Romeo that “revives his comfort?” Scene iv Summary Count Paris visits Lord Capulet again, and Capulet agrees to let Paris marry Juliet. He says they will be married on Thursday. Lady Capulet goes to Juliet’s room to prepare her for her wedding day. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why does Capulet suddenly change his mind about Juliet’s marriage? 2. How many people does Lord Capulet want at the wedding? What is his reason for this? 3. What problem could come from Lady Capulet going up to Juliet’s room at this time? Scene v Summary Romeo and Juliet are trying to convince themselves morning hasn’t come. Romeo is forced to leave when the Nurse says that Juliet’s mother is on her way in. Lady Capulet informs Juliet of her marriage, and Juliet refuses to obey. Lord and Lady Capulet are angry at Juliet’s behavior and demand she marry Paris. The Nurse suggests Juliet marries Paris. Juliet decides to ask Friar Lawrence for advice. Answer the following in complete sentences. 30 1. Why do Romeo and Juliet discuss the nightingale and the lark? 2. Who is more practical and realistic in this scene, Romeo or Juliet? Why? 3. Who is more optimistic about the future? 4. Find an example of foreshadowing in this scene. 5. Why does Lady Capulet think Juliet is crying? 6. In what ways does Juliet mislead her mother? 7. What would Lady Capulet like to do to Romeo? 8. How does Lord Capulet threaten Juliet if she does not marry Paris? 9. Why does the Nurse tell Juliet to marry Paris? 10. How does this change the relationship between Juliet and the Nurse? 31 ACT IV Vocabulary Dismal: Enjoined: Loathsome: Pensive: Pilgrimage: Vial: Scene i Summary Paris tells Friar Lawrence that he and Juliet will be married on Thursday. Juliet puts off all of Paris’ questions about her love. When Paris leaves, Juliet says she will kill herself if the Friar cannot help her. Friar Lawrence devises a plan for Juliet to fake her death. The Friar promises to let Romeo know about the plan so that Juliet can flee to Mantua. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What is Juliet’s threat if she is forced into a marriage with Paris? 2. Other than the previous answer, what three things is Juliet willing to do to avoid marrying Paris? 1 2 3 32 3. Describe Friar Lawrence’s plan for Juliet. 4. What possible problems are there with the Friar’s plan? 5. How will Romeo know about the plan? 6. Should Juliet have followed Friar Lawrence’s advice? What else could she have done? Scene ii Summary As Capulet gets ready for the wedding, Juliet enters and apologizes. In his excitement, Capulet sends for Paris and moves the wedding up to Wednesday. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Whom does Juliet ask for forgiveness, her mother, her father, or the Nurse? 2. What consequences could come of Capulet moving up the wedding day? 33 Scene iii Summary Juliet tells the Nurse she wants to be alone. She becomes fearful of taking the potion. However, thinking about Romeo gives her the strength, and she drinks it. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. What excuse does Juliet give to her mother and the Nurse so she can be alone? 2. What three fears rise up in Juliet just before she drinks the potion? 1 2 3 3. What two things could result from her last fear? 1 2 Scene iv Summary Capulet has stayed up all night making preparations for the wedding. He hears Paris coming and sends the Nurse to awaken Juliet. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Describe the atmosphere in the Capulet household during this s cene. 2. This scene is very short; why was it included? 34 Scene v Summary The Nurse enters Juliet’s room, making bawdy comments about Juliet’s upcoming wedding night. Finding Juliet “dead,” the Nurse begins to wail. to play some music to comfort him. They refuse and tease him. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. How does this reaction of the Capulets contrast with their reaction in Act III? 2. Why does the Friar seem so calm and encourages the Capulets to prepare for the funeral right away? 3. What is the purpose of the conversation between Peter and the musicians at the end of the scene? 4. Where’s Romeo been all through this act? 35 ACT V Vocabulary Ambiguities: Apothecary: Haughty: Penury: Remnants: Scourge: Sepulcher: Scene i Summary While in Mantua, Romeo has a dream leading him to believe he’ll get good news from get the horses ready for his return to Verona. He vows to lie with Juliet that night, and finds a local apothecary who will sell him poison. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Describe Romeo’s dream. Which parts foreshadow events to come? 2. What does Romeo ask Balthasar to bring him, besides the horses? 3. Balthasar gives Romeo advice. What? 36 4. Why doesn’t the apothecary want to sell poison to Romeo? 5. How does Romeo convince the apothecary to sell him poison? 6. How long will it take the drug to work? Why is this important? Scene ii Summary Friar John returns to Friar Lawrence and explains that he was unable to deliver the letter to Romeo. Friar Lawrence sends Friar John to get a crowbar so he can break into the Capulet tomb and rescue Juliet. Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why is Friar John unable to deliver the letter? 2. Within how many hours will Juliet awaken? 3. What does Friar Lawrence plan for Juliet once he has rescued her from the tomb? Scene iii Summary Romeo arrives at the Capulet tomb to find Paris already there. They fight. Romeo kills Paris and lays him in the tomb. He admires how beautiful Juliet is, and then drinks the poison. Friar Lawrence arrives at the tomb and enters the tomb and finds the bodies of Paris and Romeo. Juliet awakens, asking where Romeo is. Friar Lawrence tells her he is dead and asks her to leave with him immediately. Upon hearing noise outside, Friar Lawrence flees. Juliet tries to poison herself by kissing Romeo, but fails. Finally, she stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger. 37 Answer the following in complete sentences. 1. Why is Paris at the Capulet vault? 2. What excuse does Romeo give Balthasar for breaking into the tomb? 3. What item does Romeo give to Balthasar? 4. How does Romeo threaten Balthasar? 5. Why does Balthasar hide near the tomb? 6. What causes Paris and Romeo to fight? 7. What is Paris’ last request? Why does Romeo honor this request? 8. What does Romeo notice about Juliet that makes him wonder if she’s really dead? Why does he ignore it? 9. What are Romeo’s dying words? 38 10. When Friar Lawrence finds Paris and Romeo dead, what plan does he devise for Juliet? 11. Where does Juliet get the dagger that she kills herself with? 12. How did Lady Montague die? 13. Who explains the chain of events to the Prince? 14. What purpose does Romeo’s letter serve? 15. What does Montague offer Capulet as a token of friendship? 16. What are the last two lines of the play? Who says them? 39 Romeo and Juliet Chronology Add the necessary information to make each statement a complete sentence. Act I 1. The Prince decrees that ________________________________________________________. 2. Count Paris asks Lord Capulet if ________________________________________________. 3. At the feast, Tybalt ___________________________________________________________. 4. Also at the feast, Romeo meets __________________________________________________. Act II 1. In the Capulet orchard, Romeo and Juliet exchange __________________________________. 2. Friar Lawrence secretly ________________________________________________________. Act III 1. In a street fight, Tybalt kills ____________________________________________________. 2. Romeo then kills _____________________________________________________________. 3. As punishment, Prince Escalus __________________________________________________. 4. To cheer people up, Capulet and Paris plan ________________________________________. 5. Romeo sneaks in and comforts __________________________________________________. 6. The next morning, the Capulets inform Juliet of ____________________________________. Act IV 1. Friar Lawrence devises ________________________________________________________. 2. The Capulets mourn __________________________________________________________. Act V 1. Balthasar informs Romeo of ____________________________________________________. 2. Romeo kills _________________________________________________________________. 3. Then Romeo kills ____________________________________________________________. 4. Juliet awakens and then _______________________________________________________. 5. Friar Lawrence reveals ________________________________________________________. 6. Shared sorrow reconciles ______________________________________________________. 40 Ms. Mollo Name: ____________________________________ English 9 Date: _________________________ Romeo and Juliet Comparison Assignment Sheet Period: ___________ COMPARE & CONTRAST CHART Using your notes, write down some of the moments you found in the movie, and compare them to what was written in the original play. IN THE MOVIE… IN THE PLAY… Answer the following question on the line provided: WHICH DO YOU PREFER: THE ORIGINAL PLAY, OR THE MOVIE VERSION? Now, in a complete paragraph, using a minimum of four complete sentences, explain WHY you chose the version you did – the play or the movie.