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Romeo and Juliet

Study Worksheet Unit

By Sharon Service
a teacher at Spruce Grove Composite High School, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada

Text used: Romeo and Juliet. Edited by Ken Roy. Harcourt Brace Company (1987)


Answer all of the following questions in sentences on a separate sheet of looseleaf.

Act I

Scene 1
  1. Notice the series of anthesis (anthesis - a contrast of ideas expressed by parallelism of strongly contrasted words) in the following lines:
      "Here is much to do with hate, but more with love,
      Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate,
      Of anything, of nothing first create!
      O heavy lightness, serious vanity,
      Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms,
      Feather of lead, bright-smoke; cold fire, sick health,
      Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!
      This love feel I, that feel no love in this."
       
    What does this reveal about Romeo?

Scene 2
  1. What is Capulet trying to tell Paris?
     
      2. "My child is yet a stranger in the world,
      She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.
      Let two more summers wither in their pride
      Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride."
       
  2. What is Paris' argument? Quote the line which supports your answer.
     
  3. What does Capulet mean in, "And too soon marred are those so early made."
     
  4. What is the meaning of:
     
      5. "At my poor house look to behold tonight
      Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light..."
       
  5. Explain:
     
      6. "Such comfort as do lusty young men feel
      When well-apparelled April on the heel
      Of limping Winter treads..."
       
  6. What does the servant mean when he says:
     
      7. "...and if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine."

Scene 3
  1. In a few sentences summarize the conversation between Juliet, her mother, and the nurse.

Scene 4
  1. What does Romeo mean in the following lines?
     
      2. "I am too sore empierced with his shaft
      To soar with his light feathers; and so bound
      I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe."
       
    What is the allusion in "shaft"? (Allusion - implied or direct reference)
    What is the play on the word "bound"?
     
  2. What do the following lines show about Romeo's state of mind?
     
      3. "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 and expire term
      Of a despised life, closed in my breast,
      By some vile forfeit of untimely death."
       
  3. What do these lines show about Romeo's belief in fate?
     
      4. "But he that has the steerage of my course
      Direct my sail.      "

Scene 5
  1. Who is speaking the lines below and to whom do these lines refer? What do the speakers mean? Give the numbers of the lines.
     
    1. "...Verona brags him
      To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.
      I would not for the wealth of all this town
      Here in my house do him disparagement."         (Lines _________)
       
    2. "Patience perforce with willful choler meeting
      Makes my flesh tremble in their difference greeting."         (Lines ________)
       
    3. "...If he be married,
      My grave is like to be my wedding bed."         (Lines ________)
       
    4. "My only love, sprung from my only hate!
      5. Too early seen unknown, and known too late!"   (Lines ________)

Act II

Scene 1
  1. Briefly sum up what takes place in this scene.

Scene 2
  1. What time is it when Juliet appears at her window? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  2. What does Juliet deplore in the following line?
     
      3. "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
       
    What does she wish Romeo to do in this line?
     
      "Deny thy father and refuse thy name."
       
  3. Who says the following? What is meant? Give the numbers of the lines.
     
    1. "O that I were a glove upon that hand,
      That I might touch that cheek."         (Lines ________)
       
    2. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
      By any other name would smell as sweet."         (Lines ________)

    3. "...Look thou but sweet,
      And I am proof against their enmity."         (Lines ________)
       
    4. "I have no joy of this contract tonight.
      It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
      Too like the lightning..."         (Lines ________)

Scene 3
  1. What is the meaning of the following passages? Paraphrase in modern English.
     
    1. The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,
      Check'ring the Eastern clouds with streaks of light;
      And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels
      From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels.
      Now, ere the sun advance his burning eve
      The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,
      I must up-fill this osier cage of ours
      With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers."         (Lines 1-9)
       
    2. "O mickle is the powerful grace that lies
      In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities.
      For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
      But to the earth some special good doth give."         (Lines 15-18)
       
    3. "With Rosaline, my ghostly father? No.
      I have forgot that name and that name's woe."         (Lines 46-46)
       
    4. "Young men's love then lies
      Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."         (Lines 67-68)
       
    5. "Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast."   (Line 94)

Scene 4
  1. What is the letter that Tybalt sent to Romeo's father?
     
  2. How does Benvolio mean that Romeo will answer the letter?
     
  3. What does Mercutio mean when he says, "Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!"
     
  4. List the traits which Mercutio attributes to Tybalt in his description to Benvolio.
     
  5. According to Romeo, what sort of youth is Mercutio? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  6. Explain:
     
      7. "...to lead into a fool's paradise."
       
  7. Which message does Romeo give the nurse in the following lines:
     
      8. "Bid her devise
      Some means to come to shrift this afternoon,
      And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell
      Be shrived and married."         (Lines 169-172)

Scene 5
  1. What time of day is it?
     
  2. How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to Romeo?
     
  3. Quote the lines which show Juliet's impatience.

Scene 6
  1. What does Friar Laurence mean,
     
      2. "So smile the heavens upon this holy act
      That after-hours with sorrow chide us not!"         (Lines 1-2)
       
  2. What does q1 tell us about the Friar's state of mind?
     
  3. Is Romeo fearful of the future? Explain the following lines:
     
      4. "Then love-devouring death do what he dare
      It is enough I may but call her mine."         (Lines 7-8)
       
  4. What is the Friar's warning in the lines:
     
      5. "These violent delights have violent ends
      And in their triumph die like fire and powder,
      Which, as they kiss, consume."         (Lines 9-10)
       
  5. What is the Friar's advice to Romeo in the following lines?
     
      6. "Therefore love moderately: long love doth so:
      Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow."         (Lines 14-15)
       
  6. What is the Friar's meaning in lines 35-37?
     
      7. "Come, come with me and we will make short work;
      For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone
      Till Holy Church incorporate two in one."

Act III

Scene 1
  1. What do the following lines foreshadow?
     
      2. "I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.
      The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
      And, if we meet, we shall not 'scape a brawl,
      For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring."         (Lines 1-4)
       
  2. What does Mercutio tell us about Benvolio in the lines 15-29? Explain.
     
  3. What does Romeo remind Mercutio and Tybalt about in the following lines:
     
      4. "Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath
      Forbid this bandying in Verona streets."         (Lines 86-87)
       
  4. Explain "a grave man". (Line 96) What figure of speech is used? What is the meaning?
     
  5. Explain the following lines:
     
      6. "This gentleman, the Prince's near ally,
      My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
      In my behalf - my reputation stained
      With Tybalt's slander - Tybalt, that an hour
      Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juliet,
      Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
      And in my temper soft'ned valor's steel!"         (Lines 107-113)
       
  6. What do the following lines foreshadow?
     
      7. "Romeo, away, be gone!
      The citizens are us, and Tybalt slain.
      Stand not amazed. The prince will doom thee death
      If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!"         (Lines 130-134)
       
  7. Who says these lines?
     
  8. What does Benvolio tell Romeo and why?
     
  9. What does the Prince mean in the lines which state:
     
      10. "But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
      That you shall all repent the loss of mine."
       
  10. What is the Prince's loss?
     
  11. What does the Prince promise to do if Romeo is found?
     
  12. What does this line mean?
     
      13. "Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill."
       
    How does it apply to the "capital punishment" issue in politics today?

Scene 2
  1. Explain the classical allusions in lines 2 and 3.
     
  2. Explain the words:
     
    1. cockatrice   (line 47)
    2. bier   (line 60)
    3. serpent   (line 73)
       
  3. What is Juliet's first reaction when learning of Tybalt's death?
     
  4. What does Nurse think of men in general? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  5. What is Juliet's reaction when Nurse curses Romeo? Quote.
     
  6. Where is Romeo hiding?

Scene 3
  1. Explain Romeo's statement:
     
      2. "Tis torture, and not mercy."   (Line 29)
       
  2. Which solution to his despair is Romeo contemplating? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  3. The Friar proposes to give Romeo "Adversity's sweet milk" (Line 55). What is it? But Romeo does not want to listen. The Friar makes the statement that ... (Line 61) Romeo reports that ... (line 62)
     
  4. "A pack of blessings light upon thy back;" (Line 141) List the 3 blessings.

Scene 4
  1. Explain what is decided in this short scene.

Scene 5
  1. Explain the line: "I must be gone and live, or stay and die." (Line 11)
     
  2. In Greek mythology what is "Cynthia"?
     
  3. Explain the meaning of "affray".
     
  4. Juliet has a vision. Who does she see and what does she see?
     
  5. What does Lady Capulet mean in the following:
     
      6. "Some grief shows much of love;
      But much of grief shows still some want of wit."         (Lines 73-74)
       
  6. What is Lady Capulet actually wishing in the line:
     
      7. "I would the fool were married to her grave!?   (Line 141)
       
  7. What is a "hurdle"? (Line 156)
     
  8. What are Capulet's feelings towards his daughter when she refuses to take Paris for a husband? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  9. What is Capulet's threat in lines 190-196?
     
  10. Is Lady Capulet willing to intercede (to speak in favor of Juliet)? Quote.
     
  11. At the end of Act III, Scene 5, where does Juliet go?
     
  12. If the Friar is not able to help, what does she plan to do? Quote lines in support.

Act IV

Scene 1
  1. How does Paris explain the hasty marriage to the Friar?
     
  2. Explain what Juliet is preparing to do in order to escape marriage to Paris.
     
  3. Explain what the Friar propose to Juliet.

Scene 2
  1. Capulet calls his own daughter: " peevish self-willed harlotry" (Line 14). This means what?
     
  2. Capulet says: "I'll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning." (Line 24). What day is Juliet to get married? What day had originally been chosen?
     
  3. Explain Capulet's state of mind in the following lines:
     
      4. "My heart is wondrous light,
      Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed      ." (Line 46-47)

Scene 3
  1. In this scene what does Juliet do?
     
  2. Which lines show Juliet's apprehension before carrying out the Friar's plan?
     
  3. Which four things does Juliet fear? Quote the lines which support your answers.
     
  4. Quote the line which shows Juliet's devotion to Romeo.

Scene 4
  1. Explain the term "cot-queen" (Line 6) Who is called thus, and by whom?
     
  2. In one sentence, summarize this scene.

Scene 5
  1. Who first finds Juliet? Describe Juliet's condition.
     
  2. What does Capulet mean in lines 38-39?
     
      3. "Death is my son-in-law, death is my heir;
      My daughter he hath wedded."
       
  3. What does Lady Capulet grieve over in the lines:
     
      4. "But one, poor one, one poor and loving child,
      But one thing to rejoice and solace in,
      And cruel Death hath catched it from my sight."         (Lines 46-48)
       
  4. How does the Friar try to comfort Juliet's parents? Summarize briefly his arguments in lines 65-83.
     
  5. What does the Friar mean in lines 94-95?
     
      6. "The heavens do low'r upon you for some ill;
      Move them no more by crossing their high will."
       
  6. At the end of Act IV what event takes place?

Act V

Scene 1
  1. Who is Balthasar?
     
  2. Which news does Romeo expect?
     
  3. Which news does Balthasar bring?
     
  4. Explain the term "apothecary."
     
  5. Was there a law in Mantua which controlled the sale of certain drugs? Quote the line which is proof.
     
  6. What does Romeo mean in lines 80-81?
     
      7. "There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls,
      Doing more murder in this loathsome world,
      Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell."

Scene 2
  1. Why was Friar John detained? Quote the line which supports your answer.
     
  2. Did Friar John deliver the letter to Romeo?
     
  3. Which two things will Friar Laurence do?

Scene 3
  1. Define the words:
     
    1. obsequies   (line 16)
    2. inauspicious stars   (line 111)
    3. discern   (line 126)
    4. sepulchre   (line 140)
       
  2. Explain:
     
      3. "A greater power than we can contradict
      Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away.
      Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead;
      And Paris too. Come, I'll dispose of thee
      Among a sisterhood of holy nuns."         (Lines 153-157)
       
  3. List in point form all the events which take place in Scene 3.
     
  4. Explain:
     
      5. "We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
      But the true ground of all these piteous woes
      We cannot without circumstance descry."         (Lines 179-181)
       
  5. Explain:
     
      6. "Till we can clear these ambiguities
      And know their spring, their lead, their true descent;"       (Lines 217-218)
       
  6. What is Friar Laurence proposing in lines 266-269?
     
      7. "...and if aught in this

      Miscarried by my fault, let my old life
      Be sacrificed, some hour before his time,
      Unto the rigor of severest law."
       
  7. What does the Prince mean?
     
      8. "...Capulet, Montague,
      See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
      That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love."         (Lines 291-293)
       
  8. What does Capulet realize when he says: "Poor sacrifices of our enmity."    (Line 304)

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