romeo and juliet

Montague & Capulet feud

An old feud in which members of both houses are involved.

• Outbreaks of violence

• Unknown origins

Romeo’s demeanor when the audience first meets him

Melancholic, mourning his unrequited love for Rosaline

Reason for each character attending the Capulet party

• Romeo - to see Rosaline

• Benvolio - to show Romeo other women and help him move on

• Mercutio - for entertainment and to mock love

• Paris - to see/court Juliet

Saint and pilgrim metaphor

The saint and pilgrim metaphor in their first encounter elevates their attraction to something sacred

What does the Nurse mean when she tells Romeo, “he that can lay hold of he shall have the chinks?”

The Nurse’s comment suggests that Juliet being a financial prize (whoever marries her gets the wealth she stands to inherit)

• Reflects the social norms of marriage

What does Juliet mean by “My only love, sprung from my only hate?”

It expresses the paradox of her love for Romeo being tied to her family’s feud

What does Mercutio mean when he says, “If love be rough with you, be rough with love?”

He is saying to take an active stance instead of surrendering to heartbreak.

What role does Friar Lawrence play in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet? The Nurse?

Friar Lawrence is a facilitator and mentor in the marriage of Romeo and Juliet. He believed their union might end the two family’s rivalry. The Nurse serves as Juliet’s messenger and confidante, helping arrange Romeo and Juliet’s wedding. She initially supports the two, but later leaves Juliet feeling betrayed by suggesting she marry Paris.

What does Friar Lawrence mean when he warns Romeo that “women fall when there’s no strength in men?”

He is telling Romeo to stay strong and rational during despair, or else women suffer as a result.

What does Juliet mean by “Tis but thy name is my enemy?

Juliet is reflecting on how Romeo’s surname is the only barrier in their love.

What does Friar Lawrence mean when he says “Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, / and vice sometimes by action dignified?”

He is saying that good intentions can lead to disaster if missed, and that sometimes sins can be justified by circumstances.

• Foreshadows the unintended consequences of his plan

Describe the differences between Mercutio, Benvolio, Romeo, and Tybalt in Act III scene 1

• Mercutio - hot-tempered, witty, and eager to fight. Provokes Tybalt

• Benvolio - peacemaker, urging to avoid conflict. Tries to warn Mercutio and Romeo

• Romeo - Initially refuses to fight Tybalt due to his marriage to Juliet, but is overcome with rage following Mercutio’s midterm

• Tybalt - proud and aggressive, instigates conflict and seeks revenge because Romeo crashed the Capulet party

3 consequences Romeo faces as a result of killing Tybalt

• Banishment from Verona

• Separation from Juliet

• Escalation of the feud between Montagues and Capulets

Why is Friar Lawrence so shocked by Romeo’s response to his banishment?

Romeo behaves as if banishment is worse than death.

When Capulet hears that Juliet refuses to marry Paris, he flies into a rage. Are his threats real?

His rage is genuine, but his threats might be exaggerated. He insists that Juliet marries Paris or she will be disowned, reflecting his strict authority.

What is Juliet’s reaction to Romeo killing tybalt? She begins with “O serpent heart..”

She is torn between love and horror, beginning with “O serpent heart” because Romeo seems beautiful, but has betrayed her family

Why does Shakespeare include these lines (54-57) from Juliet?

Juliet’s words emphasize her inner conflict, struggling to balance grief and love. These lines highlight her development in realizing she cannot betray Romeo despite the tragedy.

Describe Juliet’s demeanor when she seeks Friar Lawrence’s help in avoiding the marriage to Paris?

She is desperate to avoid marrying Paris and threatens to kill herself.W

What’s the main effect of Capulet’s decision to move up the wedding date between Juliet and Paris?

Capulet unknowingly worsens Juliet’s situation because the rush forces her to drink the potion that night and prevents Romeo from receiving the Friar’s message in time.

Name three fears Juliet has before drinking the potion given to her by Friar Lawrence.

1. She will awake too soon and become trapped in tomb.

2. Friar Lawrence is trying to actually kill her.

3. If she is alone in the tomb, she will go insane.

What means of persuasion does Romeo use to procure the drugs from the apothecary?

Romeo persuades the apothecary to give him the drugs by saying poverty, not morality, determines his choice. He knows the apothecary is starving, and in the end, desperation outweighs morals.What are

What are Romeo’s concerns about fighting Paris when they meet near the Capulet tomb?

Romeo tells Paris that he is filled with sorrow, not anger, and begs him to leave the tomb. He wants to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and only wishes to be with Juliet.

Theme statement for Romeo and Juliet

Unchecked emotions and impulsive decisions lead to tragedy.Me

Metaphor

a figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly, suggesting a deeper meaning.

Personification

a literary device that gives human qualities to non-human entities or objects, enhancing their relatability or emotional impact.

Simile

a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as," creating vivid imagery. Oxy

Oxymoron

a figure of speech that juxtaposes contradictory terms to reveal a paradoxical truth, often used to express complex emotions and thoughts.

Foreshadowing

a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story, often creating anticipation in the audience.

Alliteration

the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence, creating rhythm and emphasis.

Allusion

a reference to another work, event, or figure, often used to enhance meaning or context in literature.

Hyperbole

a figure of speech that involves exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally, used for emphasis or effect.

Pun

a form of wordplay that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous or rhetorical effect.

Parallel structure

the repetition of grammatical structures in a series of related phrases or clauses, enhancing rhythm and clarity in writing.

Irony

a literary device that depicts a contrast between expectation and reality, often highlighting the opposite of what is expected.

Repetition

the repeated use of words, phrases, or structures to emphasize a point or create rhythm in a literary work.