FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Reading Questions Reading #1: 1.1 1. Which four words are used for creating a pun in the opening lines of the play? Give the definition of each of the words. 2. Thumb-biting. a. What does it mean to bite your thumb (1.1.44-45)? (Which gesture today might be similar?) b. Which family s servant is biting his thumb at the other family and what are their names? 3. Tybalt. a. What kind of person does Tybalt seem to be from your first impression? b. Write down what he says that gives you this impression. 4. Find the line(s) in the Prince s speech on page 30 that clearly states the punishment for the next Montague or Capulet who fights again in public.
5. In lines 124 to 135 ( Many a morning hath he there been seen ), Montague describes the recent behavior of his son Romeo. How does Romeo seem to be acting? 6. Put into your own words Benvolio s comment on love (1.1.164-165): Alas that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof! [You can even look at the modern English version on the opposite page, 37, but still use your own words when paraphrasing.] [Make a note of Romeo s words in line 170: Here s much to do with hate. But more with love. Be prepared to discuss this in class.] 7. Write down five oxymorons appearing in Romeo s speech in 1.1.166-178 ( Alas that love, whose view is muffled still ) 8. In lines 222-223, Romeo confesses his problem to Benvolio. a. What s his problem? b. And what is Benvolio s advice in lines 227-28?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Reading Questions Reading #2: 1.2-1.3 1.2 1. Find and write down the line in the opening lines of conversation between Capulet and Paris in which Juliet s age is mentioned. 2. What does Capulet say to Paris to postpone the young man s pursuit of Juliet? 3. Restate Capulet s lines 1.2.16-17 into your own words (even after looking at the modern translation): But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part; And she, agreed, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice. 4. In lines 86-88 ( Go thither, and with unattainted eye ), what is Benvolio s plan for Romeo?
1.3 5. The Nurse. a. Describe your first impression of the Nurse? b. What does she do or say that makes you respond this way? 6. In Lady Capulet s speech of 1.3.83-98, she compares Paris to what? 7. Paraphrase (your own words, even though you re welcome to see the modern version on the opposite page) Juliet s response to her mother in lines 101-103 ( I ll look to like ).
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Reading Questions Reading #3: 1.4 1. In lines 19-22 (from I am too sore enpierced with his shaft ), a. why is Romeo trying to get out of going to the ball? b. Whose shaft is he talking about? (Explain the allusion to Greek myths.) 2. a. Explain the pun with the word lie in lines 55-56, with Mercutio and Romeo: ROMEO I dreamt a dream tonight. MERCUTIO And so did I. ROMEO Well, what was yours? MERCUTIO That dreamers often lie. 55 ROMEO In bed asleep while they do dream things true. 56 b. What does the exchange say about the way Mercutio and Romeo differ in their attitude toward dreams?
3. List the six people who Mercutio mentions are visited by Queen Mab. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 4. Mercutio s position on fate/dreams: a. Find the line in Mercutio s last speech of the scene where he most clearly expresses his opinion of dreams. b. How does Mercutio feel about fate/dreams? 5. Romeo s position on fate/dreams: a. Restate in one sentence the general idea expressed by Romeo in his last speech of the scene (just before Benvolio says, Strike, drum ). b. How does Romeo feel about fate/dreams? 6. Find at least two important words from Romeo s speech were seen also in the Prologue?
7. Sketch Queen Mab and her chariot. In lines 57 through 70, in the first part of this famous speech from the play, Mercutio describes the fairy Queen Mab, who gives people fanciful dreams. Gather the details of the description and sketch a picture of Queen Mab in her chariot while she s on some sleeping person s nose. In class, compare your sketch with sketches of other classmates.
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Reading Questions Reading #4: 1.5 1. In lines 44-53 ( O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright ), Romeo s first lines upon seeing Juliet, a. Find an example of i. Alliteration: ii. Personification: iii. simile: b. Briefly explain why line 44 is an example of hyperbole. c. What is the rhyme pattern of the ten lines? 2. What is Tybalt s initial plan for Romeo when he notices (lines 54 [ This, by his voice, should be a Montague ] through 59) Romeo at the party?
3. Capulet to Tybalt: a. How does Capulet respond to Tybalt s anger? b. Write the two lines in which Capulet mentions Romeo s reputation in the town? 4. Lines 96-109 ( If I profane with my unworthiest hand ). a. What poetic form is represented in these fourteen lines? b. Explain two religious metaphors that are used in these lines? 5. When the Nurse explains to Juliet who it is that Juliet has just fallen for, Juliet responds, My only love sprung (1.5.144-47). a. Paraphrase Juliet s words. b. Why is this four-line response an example of foreshadowing?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Reading Questions Reading #5: The Prologue and 2.1-2.2 Prologue 1. The Prologue a. What noun is personified in the first line of the Prologue? b. Find and write down two examples of alliteration (mark them in the text, too). 1. 2. c. What or who are the references for old desire and young affection? old desire : young affection : 2.1 [Read this scene quickly just to get at the following question.] 2. In Mercutio s speech that begins at line 8 ( Nay, I ll conjure too. ), which line convinces the audience that Mercutio is unaware that Romeo has dropped Rosaline and now loves Juliet? 2.2 3. What is the metaphor that Romeo uses for Juliet in the opening speech of Scene 2? 4. Explain the simile he then uses in lines 19-21 ( The brightness )
5. Translate/Paraphrase the following (your own words even after looking at the modern version): a. O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? (2.2.35) b. That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet. (2.2.46-47) c. CHALLENGE: My life were better ended by their hate / Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love. (2.2.82-83) 6. What is Juliet concerned about in lines 99-102 ( If thou dost love )? 7. What is Juliet s concern in a. lines 113-115 ( O, swear not by the moon, th inconstant moon ) b. line 125 ( It is too ) 8. What is the Juliet s plan for the following day? (See lines 149-154) 9. Translate/Paraphrase Romeo s lines: Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, / But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. (2.2.166-167) 10. What two figures of speech are represented in Juliet s famous line, Good night, Good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow? (2.2.199) 1. 2.
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Reading Questions Reading #6: 2.3 1. For Friar Lawrence s opening speech (lines 1-31), answer the following: b. Using your handout of literary terms, decide what figure of speech is represented in line 1? Line 3? Line 5? c. Also paraphrase the message in lines 17-20, For naught so vile stumbling on abuse. 2. What is Romeo s request of Friar Lawrence in lines 65-68 ( When and where and how ) 3. Paraphrase in one sentence Friar Lawrence s chiding response to Romeo in lines 66-81 ( Holy Saint Francis there s no strength in men ).
4. Friar Lawrence abruptly changes from chiding to supporting in lines 93-95 ( In one respect I ll thy assistant be ). What is he thinking? 5. Paraphrase the famous line that ends the scene: Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast. 6. Look at the final word in each line of the entire scene. What do you notice about the way in which the entire scene is written?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Reading Questions Reading #7: 2.4-2.6 (end of Act 2) 2.4 1. What is apparently in the letter that Tybalt has sent to Romeo? (lines 7-8) 2. Give some examples of alliteration from Mercutio s speech (around lines 14-23). 3. What word is played with in Mercutio s taunting song to the Nurse in lines 136-141)? 4. After the playfulness of Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo, the Nurse finds Romeo. What does Romeo tell her about Mercutio in lines 149-151 ( A gentleman, Nurse, that loves )? 5. What warning does the Nurse give to Romeo in lines 168-170 ( Bur first let me tell you )?
6. In lines 183-186 ( Bid her devise ), Romeo clarifies the play. Explain. Also, what are these cords (line 192) to be used for? 2.5 7. What is Juliet waiting for (and complaining about) as the scene opens? 8. At which line does the Nurse finally give the Juliet the news that she s been waiting for? 2.6 9. How is foreshadowing expressed in Friar Lawrence s lines from 9-15?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Reading Questions Reading #8: 3.1 1.Write a line of Benvolio s that shows his concern that something bad is about to happen foreshadowing. 2. What does Benvolio mean in line 49 here all eyes gaze on us? 3. Romeo s lines 65-66: But love thee better than thou canst devise / Till thou shalt know the reason of my love. Why does Romeo suddenly love Tybalt? 4. (a) Find and write down the famous line that Mercutio repeats three times after being stabbed by Tybalt. (b) Also, explain his pun, And you shall find me a grave man. 5. Find and write down Romeo s rhyming couplet on page 168 that foreshadows the grim future.
6. O, I am Fortune s fool! (3.1.134) What does Romeo mean? 7. Pleading before the Prince a. Paraphrase how Lady Capulet reasons that Romeo should be killed for his action. b. Paraphrase how Lord Montague reasons that Romeo s life should be spared. c. Line 199: My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding. About whom is the Prince speaking? d. Write down the lines that reveal the Prince s decision?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Reading Questions Reading #9: 3.2-3.3 3.2 1. For what is Juliet waiting to arrive in the opening lines of the scene? 2. News from the Nurse a. Line 38: Ah well-a-day! He s dead, he s dead, he s dead! About whom is the Nurse speaking? b. In lines 42-53 ( Romeo can / Though heaven cannot ), there is a misunderstanding. Explain it. c. What does Juliet mean in line 66, What storm is this that blows so contrary? 3. Juliet s Response a. Which figure of speech is best represented in lines 75-87 ( O serpent heart hid )? Paraphrase Juliet s response. b. In her next speech, beginning on line 94 ( Blistered by thy tongue ), what is the change in her tone? Explain what she is saying.
4. Line 112: Some word there was, worser than Tybalt s death, / That murdered me. What is the word Juliet means? 3.3 5. What is Romeo s response to finding out he has been banished? Write down a line that best represents his response. 6. Line 65: Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel. What is Romeo saying to Friar Lawrence? 7. Line 112: Hold thy desperate hand! What is Romeo just about to do? 8. Paraphrase Friar Lawrence s criticism of Romeo beginning with line 113 ( Art thou a man? ). 9. In lines 139-144, what are the pack of blessings Friar Lawrence lists? a. b. c. 10. In lines 170-176 ( Go, get thee to thy love ), paraphrase the friar s plan for Romeo.
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Reading Questions Reading #10: 3.4-3.5 3.4 1. Paraphrase line 8 from Paris: These times of woe afford no times to woo. (You know what woo is from vocabulary.) 2. What is the desperate tender (3.4.12) that Capulet plans to make to Juliet, to take place on Thursday (since Wednesday is too soon)? 3.5 3. As the scene opens, why does Juliet prefer the nightingale to the lark? According to Romeo, in line 6 ( It was the lark ), what is the role of the lark? 4. Lines 9 and 10: Night s candles are burnt out, and jocund day / Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain-tops. Explain which figures of speech are represented here. (Check your handout on literary terms.) 5. What is Romeo s point in lines 17 ( let me be put to death ) and 24 ( Come death and welcome )?
6. In lines 35-36 ( O, now begone.., ), why are things darker as the day gets lighter? What does Juliet mean? 7. Write down the foreshadowing lines within lines 51 ( O, think st thou we shall ever meet again? ) and 59 ( Adieu, adieu ). 8. In lines 71-76, how does Lady Capulet misunderstand Juliet s grief? (Who does she think Juliet is grieving for?) 9. In lines 111-114 ( Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child ), why, according to Lady Capulet, has her husband arranged the marriage so quickly for Juliet? 10. In lines 165-174 ( Hang thee, young baggage ) and 202-206 ( An you be mine ), Capulet gives Juliet a clear choice. What is it? What threat (promise?) does Juliet then make to her mother after her father leaves? 11. In lines 223-234, ( Faith, here it is ), what is the Nurse s advice to Juliet? 12. Line 251: Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. What does Juliet mean?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Reading Questions Reading #11: 4.1-4.2 4.1 1. Why does Paris not know the lady s mind? Explain the allusion to Venus: For Venus smiles not in a house of tears (4.1.8) 2. What is the reason of this haste (4.1.15), as Paris explains in lines 11-14? 3. CHALLENGE: Juliet is playful with language in lines 20-38 with Paris. Explain the possible double reading of line 26: I will confess to you that I do love him. 4. Juliet s Dilemma. a. In lines 52-56, what does she want prevented? b. And what is her solution if there is no help?
5. For lines 62-67, explain the metaphor used for this bloody knife. 6. For lines 79-90, list at least three things that Juliet would prefer rather than marry Paris (79). a. b. c. 7. In lines 91-122, Friar Lawrence presents the plan. List briefly the details of the plan. 4.2 8. What is the sin that Juliet repents in lines 16-1`7? Paraphrase her comments to her father. 9. What act does Juliet play when she returns that makes her father so happy?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Reading Questions Reading #12: 4.3-4.5 4.3 1. Knowing what you know of the plot, why does Juliet ask the Nurse to leave me by myself tonight (4.3.2)? 2. Line 24: No, no, this shall forbid it. Lie thou there. a. What does this refer to? b. What does it refer to? 3. Line 29: I fear it is. What is her fear, just mentioned in the above lines? 4. In lines 31-36 ( How if, when I am laid into the tomb ), what is the fear that Juliet expresses here?
4.4 5. What time in the morning does the scene take place? 6. By the end of the short scene, Capulet tells the Nurse to wake up Juliet. a. What is Capulet s plan for the day? b. What is Juliet s? 7. Explain the value of comedy (the nutty servingmen), even if you don t understand just what s being said, in this scene? 4.5 8. In lines 30-39, Capulet responds to Juliet s apparent death first by using a simile and then personification. Find them and write them below. a. Simile: b. Personification: 9. Line 40: deflowred by him. What does him refer to? Briefly explain the extended metaphor of lines 40-46. 10. Paraphrase/Restate Friar Lawrence s comment in lines 80-81, She s not well married
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 5 Reading Questions Reading #13: 5.1-5.2 5.1 1. Lines 6-12 ( I dreamt my lady came and found me dead ) show Romeo foreshadowing something true and also not true. Wait until you finish the play and explain here how Mercutio s interpretation of dreams appears to be correct. 2. Line 17: Then she is well and nothing can be ill. Why does Balthasar tell Romeo Juliet is well? How much does Balthasar know of the Friar s plan? 3. In line 24, Then I defy you, stars! Romeo invokes fate once again. What does he mean in this line? 4. Balthasar s words in line 27, I do beseech you, sir, have patience, recall which important (forshadowing) lines from Friar Lawrence in Act 2, Scene 3? 5. Paraphrase/Translate lines 37-38: O mischief, thou art swift / To enter in the thoughts of desperate men.
6. Why does Romeo believe that this apothecary will sell him the poison that is forbidden to sell in Mantua? (Look up the word penury.) What is the penalty to the seller? 7. Paraphrase/Translate lines 78-79: APOTHECARY: ROMEO: My poverty, but not my will, consents. I pay thy poverty and not thy will. APOTHECARY: ROMEO: 8. What does Romeo mean to say in line 86, I sell thee poison; thou hast sold me none? 5.2 9. According to Friar John in lines 5-12 ( Going to find a barefoot brother out ), what happened that delayed his journey to Mantua to deliver the news of Friar Lawrence s plan to Romeo? 10. Lines 21-22: Get me an iron crow and bring it straight / Unto my cell. What is an iron crow and why does Friar Lawrence need it? 11. What is Friar Lawrence s new plan, mentioned at the end of the scene?
FRESHMAN ENGLISH 212 WEBSITE: http://www.alanreinstein.com EMAILS: alan_reinstein@newton.k12.ma.us Name: google.docs: reinsteina@newton.k12.ma.us kristin_titus@newton.k12.ma.us William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet Act 5 Reading Questions Reading #14: 5.3 (final scene of the play) 1. Why does Paris come into the tomb? What does line 20 seem to say about his feelings? (Look up obsequy.) 2. INFER: In lines 22-32 ( Give me that mattock ), What is likely written in the letter Romeo gives to Balthasar? 3. What does Romeo say is his chief task in going into the tomb? 4. In lines 49-53 ( This is that banished haughty Montague ), why does Paris think that Romeo has come to the tomb? 5. What does Romeo mean in lines 61-62, I beseech thee, youth, / Put not another sin upon my head?
6. Paraphrase/Translate the following: Lines 92-94, Death, that hath sucked conquered. Lines 102-105, Shall I believe paramour. In lines 156-164, Friar Lawrence speaks to Juliet before she has noticed Romeo dead beside her. What are the Friar s new plans? Why does he leave without her? 7. Explain friendly drop (168) and happy dagger (174). What does this refer to in line 175, This is thy sheath? 8. What is the Montague s news of his wife in lines 216 and 217? 9. After the story is retold to the Prince by Friar Lawrence and Balthasar, the Prince tells Capulet and Montague in line 299, Heaven finds a means to kill your joys with love. What does he mean? 10. What is meant in line 300, winking at your discords? 11. What is Montague s gift to Verona that will represent the families reconciliation?