THE TRAGEDY OF
by
William Shakespeare
Study Guide
English 9 Applied
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.
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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.
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Break it Down
Directions: Create an outline of Shakespeare’s life. Choose the most important elements from
the biography and list them below.
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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.
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 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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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 Montagues and the Capulets, two wealthy and noble families of Verona. This feud continues
until two destined lovers (Romeo & Juliet) take their own lives.
In the first part of the scene, Gregory and Sampson, two servants of the Capulet family,
start a fight with Abram and Balthasar, two servants of the Montague family. Benvolio, a
Montague, enters, draws his sword, and tries to break up the fight. Tybalt, a Capulet, sees the
drawn swords and eagerly enters the fight as well. Verona’s citizens gather around with clubs,
chanting against both the Capulet and the Montague families. Finally, the Prince enters and
stops the fight, threatening death to any Capulet or Montague who disturbs the peace again.
Following the brawl we learn from Lord Montague and Benvolio that Romeo has been
acting strangely and shutting o ut the world. Benvolio finds out that Romeo is in love with a girl,
Rosaline, who has sworn to chastity. Benvolio promises to help Romeo 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?
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3. How do the citizens of Verona feel about the Capulet and Montague feud?
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. Benvolio and Romeo come
along and read the guest list for the servant. Learning that Rosaline will be at the feast, Benvolio
convinces Romeo to crash the party with him.
Answer the following in complete sentences.
1. What is Capulet’s attitude toward the feud in the first three lines of this scene?
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2. What are Capulet’s two conditions for allowing Paris to marry Juliet?
1
2
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.
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Scene iv
Summary:
On the way to the Capulet’s party, Mercutio tries unsuccessfully to put Romeo in a better
mood. Romeo says that he had a bad dream telling him it would be unwise to go to the party.
Mercutio makes fun of Romeo by saying that dreams are cased by Queen Mab, and are the result
of a lazy mind. Romeo fears that the events of the evening may lead to his untimely death, but
he goes along anyway.
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?
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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. Tybalt, hearing Romeo’s voice, knows that he is a
Montague and plans to kill him. Capulet demands that Romeo be left alone, and Tybalt exits,
vowing revenge. Romeo and Juliet meet and kiss for the first time. As the guests are leaving,
the Nurse tells Juliet that Romeo is a Montague.
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?
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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.”?
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ACT II
Vocabulary
Cunning:
Kinsmen:
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.
Benvolio and Mercutio try to find Romeo but cannot. Mercutio tries 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?
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2. What does Romeo do after the Capulet party? Why?
3. What do Benvolio and Mercutio believe about Romeo’s love for Rosaline?
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 9 AM 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?
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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?
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?
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Scene iv
Summary
Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybalt has sent a letter to the Montagues, challenging
Romeo to a duel. Mercutio says that Tybalt is a master of dueling. Juliet’s nurse, attended by
Peter, comes to see Romeo. Romeo tells her to have Juliet meet him at Friar Lawrence’s cell that
afternoon for the wedding.
Answer the following in complete sentences.
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?
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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?
2. How does the Friar advise Romeo to love?
3. Explain the Friar’s closing comment in this scene.
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ACT III
Vocabulary
Abhors:
Agile:
Eloquence:
Exile:
Fickle:
Fray:
Gallant:
Martial:
Tedious:
Scene i
Summary
On a hot day, Benvolio says that he wants to go home and avoid a fight with the
Capulets. Mercutio accuses Benvolio of being the one who easily gets into fights. Tybalt enters
with his men and challenges Romeo to a duel. Romeo ignores Tybalt’s insults. Disgusted by
Romeo’s lack of action, Mercutio draws and is killed by Tybalt. Benvolio tells the Prince what
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?”
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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?
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?
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14. What is Prince Escalus’ decision about Romeo?
Scene ii
Summary
Juliet is happily thinking about her marriage to Romeo. The moment is lost when the
Nurse informs her of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment. 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?
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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 Tybalt who’s
dead, not him. He instructs Romeo to go to Mantua until the Friar can get the Prince to pardon
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?
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8. Friar Lawrence gives Romeo three reasons he should be happy. What are they?
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.
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Answer the following in complete sentences.
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?
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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
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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?
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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?
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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. The Capulets enter, followed by
Paris. All join in mourning Juliet’s apparent “death.” Friar Lawrence enters, telling them it is
shameful to mourn so much and tries to comfort them by saying that she’s “in a better place.”
Peter asks the musicians 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?
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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
Verona. Balthasar arrives and reports he saw Juliet laid in the Capulet tomb. Romeo sends
Balthasar to 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?
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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 meets Balthasar. He 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.
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Scene iii Summary, continued:
A watchman finds blood and the three dead bodies. The Capulets, Montagues, and
Prince enter. The watchman explains that Romeo and Paris are dead, and Juliet is dead again.
Montague says that his wife has died. The truth about Romeo and Juliet is told, and Montague
and Capulet make peace.
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?
10. When Friar Lawrence finds Paris and Romeo dead, what plan does he devise for Juliet?
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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?
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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 ______________________________________________________.
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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.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________