Romeo and Juliet Final Exam

Which character in the play is closest to being "the bad guy"?

TYBALT is the logical choice here. He has a terrible temper and is looking for a fight. He has little to prove because most people in Verona know him to be a superior swordsman. He has nothing to gain by picking fights with Montagues, yet he does so whenever possible.

Where does the play take place?

Verona...which is in Italy. To this day, a tourist can find a memorial to Juliet in the form of a statue at "the Juliet House."

The opening line of the play's prologue is, "Two households, both alike in \____."

DIGNITY. Here, Shakespeare sets up the idea that neither house is the good guys nor the bad guys. The Montagues are as good and respectable as the Capulets. Their common weakness is their mutual hatred, the origin of which is unclear.

What is a sonnet?

A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem. Shakespeare uses the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. The two sonnets in this play introduce the action for Acts I and II.

In the opening scene, what is the significance of one character biting his thumb?

Biting one's thumb is a gesture of ill will. Sampson of the Capulets bites his thumb when Abram, a Montague, walks by. Sampson cannot admit to biting his thumb AT Abram, as such an act is a call to fight, and the prince has forbidden the houses to fight. Sampson, therefore, contends that he is simply biting his thumb for no reason and that Abram has misinterpreted the action.

What is comical about the nurse's character?

She is long-winded. When she speaks, she often rambles on. She also enjoys a bawdy comment or two. She is a genuinely good person, but she is easily made fun of.

"What? Drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee."

Tybalt speaking to Benvolio

"If you ever disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace."

Prince Escalus

"My child is yet a stranger in the world, She hath not seen the change of fourteen years"

Capulet to Paris

"But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part."

Capulet

In the "But woo her, gentle Paris," quotation, what is Capulet demanding of Paris

He must win Juliet's heart. Capulet will not allow his daughter to marry someone she does not love.

What is ironic about the "But woo her, gentle Paris," quotation?

Later in the play, Capulet more or less demands his daughter marry Paris, not concerned about Paris winning her heart.

"Take thou some new infection to thy eye, And the rank poison of the old will die."

Benvolio to Romeo about Rosaline. Benvolio is a tad dismissive of Romeo, believing Romeo falls in love too quickly.

How could one interpret the "Take thou some new infection to thy eye," quotation?

If Romeo sees someone new, other than Rosaline, he will likely fall in love, and quickly, as Romeo is such a romantic.

"Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow."

Benvolio to Romeo about Rosaline

In the "Compare her face with some that I shall show" quotation, what is Benvolio saying to Romeo?

He is implying that Romeo will find a girl at the Capulet party and fall for her because she will appear as lovely as Rosaline, and likely lovelier.

Why does Benvolio practically force Romeo to attend the Capulet party?

He believes Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline is temporary. If he sees other girls, he will forget about her. Benvolio, as his name suggests, is a benevolent, kind friend.

On the night of the Capulet party, how does Romeo feel about "crashing" the party?

Romeo senses something "ain't quite right." He says, "I fear, too early; for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night's revels..." The CONSEQUENCES of this fateful night come to pass at the end of the play when both Romeo and Juliet are dead. All these tragedies begin on this night.

How does Benvolio feel about Romeo and his love for Rosaline?

Benvolio does not believe Romeo is anything but a silly child who enjoys being in love. He is immature and emotional, ill-prepared for true love.

"Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boist'rous, and it pricks like thorn."

Romeo to Mercutio

In the "Is love a tender thing?" quotation, why is Romeo saying what he says to Mercutio?

He is ridiculing Mercutio's view that love is "tender" and gentle. Love, to Romeo, is all about suffering, as Rosaline will not give him the time of day and has withheld her feminine charms.

"I have seen the day that I have worn a visor and could tell a whispering tale in a fair lady's ear, Such as would please. "Tis gone..."

Capulet at his party

In the "I have seen the day that I have worn a visor ..." quotation, what is Capulet saying?

He is commenting on his advanced age and remembering how, in days gone by, he could flirt with pretty girls, make them blush etc. Now, they no longer pay much attention to him.

This is reminiscent of the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."

"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me." The speaker in the poem is sad because the pretty young girls (mermaids) in the restaurant are not flirting with him. He, alas, is too old.

"Now by the stock and honor of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin."

Tybalt says this at the Capulet party when he sees Romeo and the others.

What does the "Now by the stock and honor of my kin," quotation reveal about Tybalt?

He is hot-tempered fool. He cannot wait to fight and sees offense in all actions. He is looking for a fight. He is a TYrant. Tybalt/TYrant...get it? He is looking to protect his family's good name, believing the Montague men have "dissed" the Capulets by showing up univited.

"Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone...Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast."

Capulet to Tybalt regarding Romeo

What does Capulet mean in the "Content thee gentle coz..." speech?

He is telling Tybalt to cool off. The party is no time for a fight. Tybalt must learn restraint. Plus, Romeo enjoys a good reputation in Verona, and Capulet sees no need to raise a ruckus about the intrusion.

"My only love, sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and unknown too late!

Juliet to the Nurse regarding Romeo. Here, Juliet is saying she would not have fallen for Romeo had she known he is a Montague. Now that she knows he is a Montague, she cannot dismiss her feelings.

Why is the nurse so close to Juliet?

She raised Juliet since her birth. Nurse also lost her only child and looks upon Juliet as her own. She nursed Juliet as well.

"But passion lends them power, time means, to meet, Temp'ring extremities with extreme sweet."

The chorus at the start of Act II. The chorus acts as the "scene setters." They inform the audience about what is to happen in the coming moments of the play. The passion Romeo and Juliet feel for one another gives them the power to pursue their love. As Huey Lewis sang, "That's the Power of Love."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v\=wBl2QGAIx1s

"If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark."

Mercutio to Benvolio regarding Romeo

"He jests at scars that never felt a wound."

Romeo regarding Mercutio, who is having fun at Romeo's expense. Romeo implies that Mercutio has never been in love; therefore, he has no idea what Romeo is facing.

"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief That thou her maid art far more fair than she."

Romeo about Juliet

Why does Romeo call the moon "envious" in the "Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon," speech.

Romeo claims Juliet's beauty is so bright the moon is jealous of the light she produces. The moon will refuse to come out because it is jealous of Juliet.

What does Juliet mean with the "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet" speech?

She is asking, "Why does your name have to be Montague? Why can't it be Smith or Jones or whatever?" She also adds that if he is unwilling to give up his family name, she will gladly sacrifice hers to be with him.

"What's in a name? That which we shall call a rose By any other word would smell as sweet."

Juliet about Romeo

In the "That which we shall call a rose..." speech, Juliet is saying what?

Romeo's name does not matter. A name is simply a bunch of letters. What matters is their love for one another. How idealistic and naïve!

"For stony limits cannot hold love out, And what love can do, that dares love attempt."

Romeo to Juliet

The "stony limits" speech tells us about...?

The stony limits are a reference to the wall surrounding the Capulet home. A wall cannot hold off Romeo (or true love). "Ain't no mountain high enough; ain't no valley low enough; ain't no river wide enough to keep me from you." That's a classic song from MarvinGaye and Tammi Terrell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v\=IC5PL0XImjw

Who built the wall around the Capulet home?

TRUMP!!!!!!!

"At lovers' perjuries, They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won. I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo"

Juliet to Romeo

what is Juliet implying in the "They say Jove laughs..." quotation?

Romeo is not going to "access her gifts" simply because he wants to. He has to earn her love (woo her). If she gives in too quickly, he would not respect her. She wants to hear about his commitment to her.

"Therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark knight hath so discovered."

Juliet says this to Romeo

"O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her cycle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable."

Juliet again to Romeo

The "light love" she speaks of is likely similar to the current term "\___."

HOOKING UP. Juliet is not interested in a passionate moment. She is looking for something permanent, something real.

Why does Juliet plead that Romeo not "swear by the moon"?

The moon is "inconstant." The moon changes from night to night, and Juliet wants something more lasting than that. She is looking for something solid, something genuine. Anyone can make a promise that lasts as long as a moon hangs in a summer night (a few hours?)

"O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard, Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial."

Romeo about Juliet and their time together

In the "O blessed, blessed night! " speech, what is Romeo concerned about?

Because all of this occurs at night, Romeo fears he may be dreaming. Too often, what we "see" at night does not hold up to the scrutiny of the light of day.

"A thousand times the worse, to want thy light! Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books; But love from love, toward school with heavy looks."

Romeo to Juliet

Explain the "schoolboys" allusion in the previous quotation.

No one, boys especially, wants to go to school. We run from the building once the bell rings. Romeo is saying that love (Romeo) runs toward love (Juliet) the way a boy runs from school. And Romeo walks away form Juliet the way a boy walks TOWARD school...quite reluctantly

"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow."

Juliet to Romeo

Why does Romeo use the oxymoronic "sweet sorrow" in reference to leaving Juliet?

He is sorrowful for having to leave, but his affections are so "sweet" and this contradiction makes things worse. He feels like we do when we have to leave a young people's party early because of a curfew, but you know all the good stuff is about to happen and you will not be there to experience it.

"Virtue itself turns to vice, being misapplied, And vice sometime by action dignified."

Friar Laurence

Friar Laurence's "virtue/vice" speech tells us what?

We can take our best qualities and use them improperly, but at the same time we might take a seemingly nasty trait or habit and use it for good. Love can become obsessive and dangerous, as in stalking. (for example)

"But where unbruised youth with unstuffed brain Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign."

Friar to Romeo

When Friar says, "But where unbruised youth..." he is implying that....

The young person with nothing on his mind is likely to sleep well. Romeo, who is coming to Friar Laurence so early in the morning, has either not slept because something has been on his mind, or he has been up all night carousing with shady women.

"Both our remedies Within thy help and holy physic lies."

This is Romeo's plea to Friar Lawrence. Romeo believes Friar Lawrence is the best man to help him with is love for Juliet..

"Young men's love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."

Friar Laurence to Romeo. He is intimating that men fall in love based on appearance. He is doubting Romeo's sincerity. wasn't he, just yesterday, in love with Rosaline?\>

"Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit Of an old tear that is not washed off yet."

Friar Lawrence says to Romeo on the morning Romeo visits him. He sees the stain on Romeo's cheek of the tears he shed only yesterday for Rosaline. How serious can he be if he still has the remnants of his "undying love" for Rosaline?

"Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast."

Friar Lawrence warns Romeo about proceeding too quickly. "Ya gotta walk before you can run." This is good advice.

Did you know Shakespeare wrote a drama about puns?

It is a play on words.

"If you should deal double with her, truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing."

Nurse to Romeo regarding Juliet

When the nurse warns Romeo with "If you should deal double with her,..." what is she saying?

If you are simply seducing Juliet with fancy words, shame on you, Romeo. That would be a dirty trick. I hope you are better than that. She is likely implying that Juliet's feelings for Romeo are genuine.

"I am the drudge, and toil in your delight; But you shall bear the burden soon at night."

Nurse to Juliet

What does the nurse mean with the term DRUDGE?

Here, she is calling herself a "work horse" of sorts. She is doing all the running around Verona, and making all the plans and schemes so that Juliet and Romeo can be together. She does not mind doing the grunt work.

What does the Nurse imply when she tells Juliet, "But you shall bear the burden soon at night."

Laugh at me if you like Juliet, but you will not be laughing (perhaps) when Romeo gets ahold of you tonight. He will have some intense "workout" plans for you. (PG-13)

"These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss consume."

Friar to Romeo. He is warning Romeo that the intensity of their love, like anything intense, can burn out quickly...or it can explode! Love can be quite volatile.

"A lover may bestride the gossamers That idle in the wanton summer air, And yet not fall; so light is vanity."

Friar Laurence to Romeo. he is speaking about the vanity of youthful love. The whole "as long as we have each other we have everything" sentiment sounds good on a Hallmark card, but such sentiment is hardly based in reality. real life, and marriage, is tough. This is not a reality show, which is NOT real.

"For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till holy church incorporate two in one."

Friar to both Romeo and Juliet. He is telling them, "You two are not leaving this chapel until you are man and wife because I KNOW what you two are looking to do as soon as I turn my back. So, to make it all holy and moral, let's get you two married."

I do protest I never injured thee, But love thee better than thou canst devise.

Romeo to Tybalt

A plague a' both your houses!

The American people to the Democrats and the Republicans. Or is this said by Mercutio as he dies? I believe it is the latter.

Thy beauty hath made me effeminate

And in my temper soft'ned valor's steel.

Romeo with regard to Mercutio's death at the hand of Tybalt. He is implying that his love for Juliet has blinded him to Tybalt's nastiness. he did not fight back; instead, he tried to be a peacemaker, which he views as being effeminate.

I will be deaf to pleading and excuses; Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.

Prince Escalus. He is saying "No more talk; no more excuses; no more exceptions." he feels like a fool because he has not been firm with the Capulets and Montagues. he is worried about his position. Will his people respect him if he dos nothing? Can he call himself a man if he allows the Capulets and Montagues get away with such loutish behavior?

"O, I have bought the mansion of a love, But not possessed it; and although I am sold, Not yet enjoyed."

Here, Juliet says to herself how she has married Romeo yet not ENJOYED the physical pleasures of being with him as his wife.

O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face! Did ever a dragon keep so fair a cave?

Juliet regarding Romeo. The nurse is present when Juliet says this

What is Juliet saying here? "O serpent heart, hid with a flow'ring face!.."

She cannot believe that Romeo, who is so handsome and dreamy, could be the villain who killed her beloved (though fiery) cousin Tybalt. She will not hold on to these ill feelings for Romeo. Within ia moment or two she will be in love with him again.

"Come, cords; come, nurse.

I'll to my wedding bed;

And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead."

Julia says this to the nurse and to herself. The cords are the rope ladder Romeo will use to gain access to Juliet's bedroom. The MAIDENHEAD she speaks of is her virginity. She assumes she will die a virgin now that Romeo has been banished.

"There is no world without Verona walls, But purgatory, torture, hell itself."

Romeo cannot see beyond the walls of Verona. Everything he wants (Juliet) is within these walls. Being banished is, to use a horrible cliché, a fate worse than death.

When Juliet says Death will take her "maidenhead," what is she implying?

She believes she will die a virgin.

How is Romeo supposed to get to Juliet's room?

a rope ladder

"This is dear mercy, and thou see'st it not."

Friar to Romeo. This is the speech where Friar Lawrence says, "There art thou happy?"

"Thy tears are womanish, thy wild acts denote the unreasonable fury of a beast."

Friar to Romeo...with Nurse present . he is ashamed that Romeo is looking to take a dagger to himself because things have gone wrong. "Be a MAN, Romeo. Look for a solution!!"

"O Lord, I have stayed here all the night to hear good counsel."

The nurse says these words in reference to Friar Lawrence. She appreciates his calm manner, and she also appreciates his plan to reunite the lovers.

These times of woe afford no time to woo.

Paris says this to Capulet. The times of woe are a reference to Tybalt's death. Pursuing Juliet at such a time would seem inappropriate, so he backs off. This reminds me of the film WEDDING CRASHERS. Ironically, Will Ferrell's character attends funerals as a way of meeting young ladies. Most think this crass and boorish, but he is successful during theses times of woe.

It may be thought we held him carelessly, Being our kinsman, if we revel much.

Capulet to Paris. he is speaking of Tybalt. Capulet wants to delay the marriage between Paris and Juliet. He is worried about appearances. We cannot hold a festive wedding so soon after Tybalt's death.

What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?

a promise

"It was the nightingale and not the lark,

That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear."

Juliet says this to Romeo on the morning after their night together. Romeo must leave before the sun rises or else risk being captured and killed. Juliet lies to herself that she hears a nightingale, knowing she instead hears a lark, which summons the morning sun.

What is a catharsis?

A catharsis is a cleansing experience. Someone who watches this play may feel "cleansed" afterward because he/she has learned something or come to understand a little something more about him/herself.

"For in a minute there are many days."

Juliet regarding Romeo, who has recently left her room. Time creeps by when a person is in love and separated from his/her sweetieboopkins.

"O, how my heart abhors to hear him named and cannot come to him,

To wreak the love I bore my cousin upon his body that hath slaughtered him."

Juliet says these words to her mother and the nurse. She is deceptive in that she DOES hate to hear Romeo's name, but not because she despises him but because she cannot be with him. She would love to "wreak love" upon his body, but in a passionate way."

"Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what—get thee to a church a' Thursday Or never after look me in the face."

Capulet to Juliet. He wants her to marry Paris, which is such a contradiction from earlier in the play when he insisted that Paris win her heart first. Now, he seemingly cannot wait to marry off Juliet.