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Thoroughly
completed
(Answers show
depth and elaboration)
Completed
(answers complete
and correct)
Completed with
with minimal
effort
(some answers
incorrect or
incomplete
Mostly
completed
(1 or 2 questions
incomplete)
Partially
completed
(more than
2 questions
incomplete)
Minimally
completed
(around ½
complete)
correct or
complete)
Not
completed
(less than
half)
10
9
8
7
6
5
0
Romeo and Juliet: Act IV Guiding Discussion Questions
Scene 1
1. How would you describe Paris’ attitude towards Juliet? Is it similar to Capulet’s?
2. Reflection: What does Juliet say she will do if the Friar cannot help her? Do you think her threat is real?
3. What is Friar Laurence’s new plan?
Scene 2
1. Why does Juliet lie to her parents in the beginning of the scene?
2. Reflection: At line 31, Capulet states: “now, afore God, this reverend holy friar/All our whole city is much
bound to him”. Why is this marriage so important? Does this statement have greater meaning than Capulet
knows?
Scene 3
1. Juliet is extremely aware of the motivations of others. What does she fear the Friar may have arranged?
2. What are other fears that Juliet expresses in her soliloquy?
Scene 4
1. What does Lady Capulet know about her husband’s past?
2. How does Capulet treat the Nurse as opposed to his attitude towards her in the previous Act?
Scene 5
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1. In what terms does the Capulet family express their grief for Juliet’s death? Why is this troubling?
2. Besides Juliet being dead, what other reasons do the Capulets have for grieving?
3. What do the Capulets think Juliet has expired from?
Romeo and Juliet: Act V Guiding Discussion Questions
Scene 1
1. Reflection: In line 24, Romeo exclaims, “Is it e’en so? Then I defy you, stars!” What does he mean by
this expression? How does this apply to the rest of the play?
2. What is an apothecary?
3. Why does Romeo seek out a poor apothecary?
4. Why is the apothecary reluctant to sell Romeo poison?
5. Romeo’s last speech at the end of the scene refers to gold as “worse poison to men’s souls”. What does he
mean by this? How does this apply to the rest of the play?
Scene 2
1. Why was Friar John unable to deliver Laurence’s message to Romeo?
2. How does this relate to Shakespeare’s life?
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3. Why is this situation problematic for the Friar and Romeo?
Scene 3
1. Why is Paris in the churchyard?
2. Romeo explains his reasoning for venturing into the tomb but threatens Balthasar with death should he
follow him. What is his explanation?
3. Does Balthasar believe Romeo?
4. What does Romeo compare the Capulet tomb to?
5. What comment does Romeo make about Juliet’s appearance?
6. In line 153, the Friar remarks, “A greater power than we can contradict/ Hath thwarted our intents”. What
greater power is Laurence referring to? Does it really hold as much sway as he assumes it does?
7. What does the Prince assume has happened?
8. What has happened to Lady Montague? How does this contrast with the fate of Lady Capulet?
9. Reflection: Friar Laurence explains what had transpired in the last few days and details his and the
Nurse’s involvement. Do you think that he truly accepts responsibility for the situation? Why or why not?
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10. Who does the Prince find culpable for this tragedy?
11. Reflection: Paris occupies a central role in the play and represents royal aspirations for the Capulet legacy.
How does Paris contrast with both Romeo and Juliet within this final scene?
*Trace Friar Lawrence’s plan from the beginning, plotting the causes and effects of the changes that Friar
Laurence needs to make as a result of certain events.
**Now that you’ve finished the play, go back to your character charts. Use the questions about character like
the ones above as well as your notes from Act I to complete the character chart and fill in the foils for each
character. Note how these characters have changed throughout the play.
***In addition to reflecting on character, think about who’s to blame for this tragedy. Does the tragedy result
from specific characters decisions and actions, or are the characters fates determined from the beginning.
Scan back through the text for evidence to support your answer. This will be an essay on the exam