Name Teacher Period Romeo and Juliet "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Page 1
Who is to Blame? Throughout this unit, it will be your job to decide who is to blame for the tragic end of Romeo and Juliet. At the end of the play, you will have to deliver a 1-1 ½ min speech arguing where the fault lies. The choices are: *Tybalt *Romeo *Juliet *Friar Laurence *Friar John *Balthasar *Lord Capulet *Nurse *Paris *Mercutio As you read the play, pay attention to each character and who you think may be responsible. Your opinion may change over time, so do not be afraid about looking at characters from different perspectives. You will have to back up your opinion with multiple pieces of evidence, so take notes, close read, mark up your book, and most of all, pay attention! Romeo and Juliet Speech Rubric Content/Quality of Speech/Evidence MLA Format & Appearance Eye Contact, Posture, & Gestures Speech Time (within guidelines) /25 /10 /10 /5 Total Grade = /50 Page 2
Who s Who in Verona? The following is a list of most of the characters appearing in Romeo and Juliet. List each under the family to which he or she is related by blood or by alliance. Abraham Lady Capulet Nurse Balthasar Peter Apothecary Juliet Benvolio Lady Montague Tybalt Friar Laurence Friar John Sampson Gregory Chorus Prince Escalus Paris Montague Capulet Romeo Mercutio Capulet Montague Neutral Page 3
The Prologue Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. 5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows, Do with their death bury their parents strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love, 10 And the continuance of their parents rage, Which, but their children s end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Romeo and Juliet Prologue Reading Notes 1. How do the two households compare on the social hierarchy? 2. Where is the city of Verona? 3. What is the history between the two families? 4. What is important about the term star-crossed? 5. How long will the play take to perform? 6. What is a chorus? A prologue? Page 2
Romeo and Juliet Act Questions DIRECTIONS: After reading each scene, you are responsible for answering the questions for that completed scene. On a separate piece of paper, answer each of the scene questions using complete sentences. Clearly label the questions for each Act and Scene. You may wish to use the following pages to take notes while reading the play; you can then use these notes to answer your Act Questions after reading each scene. Some questions ask you to quote a line to support your answer. You must write the act, scene, and line number for each quote. For example: Juliet says, O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? (2.2.33). The first number identifies the act, the second number identifies the scene, and the third number identifies the line number. All three are separated by a period. Prologue 1. What information about the play s story does the Prologue convey? Act 1 Scene 1 2. What effect does Gregory and Sampson s crass joking have on the mood of the 3. Why is Romeo so unhappy? Quote a line from the scene to support your answer. (properly cite your quote see directions above) 4. What solution does Benvolio suggest to Romeo? Give a quote and explain. 5. What do Benvolio and Tybalt have in common? How are they different? Scene 2 1. Capulet, Juliet s father, says her age and a plan for Paris to marry her. Report these two pieces of information. Scene 3 2. How does Juliet react to her mother s suggestion of marriage? 3. How does the Nurse s rambling provide comic relief in this Scene 4 4. What is Mercutio trying to convey to Romeo about dreams and how do each of them feel about dreams and love? 5. Who is Queen Mab, what does she look like, and what does she do? 6. Why do you think Shakespeare would spend so much time writing about Queen Mab and having Mercutio talk about her? 7. Why is Romeo content to carry on with his friends even though he has a feeling that something will go wrong? Scene 5 8. Since the guests are masked, how does Tybalt recognize Romeo? 9. How does Tybalt react to Romeo s presence? How does Capulet react to Tybalt s anger? 10. What about Juliet initially appeals to Romeo? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Page 3
ACT 2 Scene 1 and 2 1. Quote and restate the metaphor describing Juliet. 2. Juliet says, I have no joy of this contract tonight/it is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden. Even so, what arrangement does she make with Romeo? Scene 3 1. When Romeo asks the Friar to marry him and Juliet immediately, the Friar comments on Romeo s fickleness. Quote his remark. Do you agree with the Friar, why or why not? 2. Why does the Friar agree to perform the ceremony? Do you think he is making a mistake? Why or why not? Scene 4 1. Mercutio says the Tybalt is more than Prince of Cats, a character in an animal story. In what way is Tybalt more dangerous than a cat? Also what might this foreshadow? 2. Romeo gives the nurse two instructions regarding Juliet. Report these instructions. Scene 5 1. What is the setting of this How do these short, varied scenes add to the suspense? 2. How do the actions of the nurse add to the suspense? Scene 6 1. Both Romeo and the Friar refer to sorrows. Quote their statements. 2. Quote and explain the Friar s closing comment. ACT 3 Scene 1 1. Which of the young men is the peacemaker in this How does he connect the weather to people s feelings? 2. When Tybalt asks Romeo to draw his sword, he says, Boy this shall not excuse the injuries/that thou hast done to me. What injuries is he talking about? 3. How does Mercutio become involved in this fight? What happens to Mercutio? 4. This serious scene includes a pun by Mercutio about death. Quote and explain the pun. 5. Give the Prince s response to the killing. Scene 2 1. When the Nurse approaches Juliet in the orchard to speak with her, what does Juliet think at first? 2. Why does Juliet disagree with statements made by the nurse? 3. Juliet has mixed emotions about Tybalt s death & about Romeo; but what bothers her most? Scene 3 1. When the Friar protests that being exiled is a merciful sentence, how does Romeo respond? 2. How is Romeo finally comforted? Scene 4 1. Report Capulet s instruction to his wife. Page 4
Scene 5 2. As Romeo and Juliet are about to part, how do they differ in their views of the future? 3. What advice does the Nurse give Juliet at the end of this Describe Juliet s reaction to this advice. ACT 4 Scene 1 1. Why is Paris talking to the Friar? 2. Briefly state the Friar s solution and plan. 3. Tell why the Friar is willing to become involved in solving the marriage problems Juliet encounters. Scene 2 1. What causes Capulet to say, My heart is wondrous light? Scene 3 2. Quote a line from Juliet s soliloquy that foreshadows her death. 3. List three of Juliet s fears as she considers taking the potion. 4. Report Juliet s final action of this scene. Scene 4 1. Tell how the actions of this scene are in direct contrast to the seriousness of the previous scene. Scene 5 2. Capulet says, Ha! Let me see her. Out alas! She s cold. Tell how his statement shows the Friar s plan is working. ACT 5 Scene 1 1. Give Romeo s reason for going to the apothecary and tell what he buys. Scene 2 2. How do these two incidents Balthasar s information and John s quarantine affect Romeo and the Friar s plan? 3. The Friar s closing speech in this scene is informative. Report three important points. Scene 3 1. After Juliet discovers Romeo, she refuses Friar s plan. What is it? What does she do instead? 2. What other death does Montague report? 3. What purpose does the letter from Romeo serve? 4. Quote at least two statements that show the feud is over. Page 5
Scene Guide For each act, you will be completing a Scene Guide to help you understand and follow the important elements of your reading. For each scene, thoroughly complete each section in the space provided. Use short phrases or words to keep your note-taking short and succinct. The chart below will assist you in completing the activity. The Act One Prologue section has been completed for you as an example. Act 1 Example In this section, list the major characters who are a part of the action. It is not necessary to list minor characters who are not involved in the plot. In this section, list the important action that takes place in the scene. In this section, explain how loyalty plays an important roll in decisions the characters make in the scene. Chorus Prologue The Chorus tells the audience about two enemies who have been fighting for years, a pair of lovers who are doomed, and how their deaths will be the only thing that will end the fighting between the two families. The Chorus presents us with the entire plot of the play, letting us know from the start that the story is a tragedy and will not end well. The main problem is that the lovers have conflicting loyalties (they are loyal to their families and also loyalty each other). Now the audience will see how the story actually unfolds. Scene One: Verona. A Public Place Scene Two: A Street Page 6
Scene Three: A Room in Capulet s House Scene Four: A Street Scene Five: A Hall in Capulet s House Act 2 Scene Guide Prologue Page 7
Scene One: A Lane by the Wall of the Capulet Orchard Scene Two: Capulet s Orchard Scene Three: Friar Lawrence s Cell Scene Four: A Street Scene Five: Capulet s Orchard Scene Six: Friar Lawrence s Cell Page 8
Act 3 Scene Guide Scene One: A Public Place Scene Two: Capulet s Orchard Scene Three: Friar Lawrence s Cell Scene Four: A Room in the Capulet House Scene Five: Capulet s Orchard Page 9
Act 4 Scene Guide Scene One: Friar Lawrence s Cell Scene Two: A Hall in Capulet s House Scene Three: Juliet s Chamber Scene Four: A Hall in Capulet s House Scene Five: Juliet s Chamber Act 5 Scene Guide Scene One: Mantua. A Street Page 10
Scene Two: Friar Lawrence s Cell Scene Three: A Churchyard; A Tomb Belonging to the Capulets Page 11