Violent Delights and Violent Ends: Romeo and Juliet

Plot Questions

A151

1.	What information does the prologue give?
2.	What is the difference between Benvolio and Tybalt?
3.	What is Lady Capulet's comment to her husband?
4.	What is your impression of the Prince's influence?
5.	How would you describe Romeo at this stage?

A152

1.	What is Capulet's attitude to the marriage with Paris?
2.	What is Romeo's attitude to Rosaline?

A153

1.	How old is Juliet and how do we know?
2.	'I was your mother' - Explain lady Capulets' comment'
3.	What is Juliet's reaction to the suggestion of marriage?

A154

1.	What are the ideas of love discussed at the beginning of the scene?
2.	What has Queen Mab to do with love?

A155

1.	How is Capulets age brought out?
2.	how does Romeo react to the sight of Juliet?
3.	What does Tybalt do?
4.	What does Juliet think about her love?
5.	What are the major difficulties in staging this scene?

A251 & 52

1.	What do Mercutio and Benvolio think of Romeo's love?
Do they realise his new love for Juliet?
2.	Discuss Romeo's comments of Juliet at her appearance.
What images of lightness and darkness can be seen?
3.	What type of questions does Juliet ask?
4.	Why does she regret saying so much?
5.	Describe their final lengthy goodbye?

A253

1.	What is Friar Laurence doing?
2.	Why does he mention Rosaline?
3.	Why does he approve of this marriage?

A254

1.	Summarise Mercutio's description of Tybalt?
2.	In this scene what impressions do you get of Mercutio's character?
3.	What is the function of the witty interchanges between Mercutio and Romeo?
4.	What does the nurse plan with Romeo?  What glimpses do you get of her character?

A255

1.	Why doesn't the nurse tell Juliet of the arrangements right away?

A256

1.	'These violent delights have violent ends'.  What other notes of foreboding have there been?

A351

1.	Why does Benvolio try to restrain Mercutio?
2.	Why does Tybalt seek to quarrel with Romeo?
3.	'Whose name I tender as dearly as my own".  Explain. 
4.	"A plague on both your houses'.  Explain Mercutio's words. 
5.	'I am fortunes fool'.  Why does Romeo say this?
6.	This is the second appearance of the prince.  is he effective?

A352

1.	Comment on the language of Juliet's first speech. 
2.	Why is the nurse's news doubly distressing?
3.	'Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?'  Comment on Juliet's speeches on Pgs 156 and 157. 

A353

1.	How does Romeo react to the banishment?
2.	What advice does the Friar have?
3.	What news does the nurse bring?

A354

1.	What arrangements are made for the wedding?

A355

1.	What images mark the speeches of Romeo and Juliet as they wake?
2.	Discuss the double talk by Juliet about Romeo to her mother. 
3.	How does Juliet react to the suggestion of the wedding?
4.	Why is Tybalt mentioned again?
5.	What advice has the nurse?  What does Juliet think of it?

A451

1.	What is Paris's explanation for Capulet's wanting to hasten the marriage?
2.	What threat does Juliet make and what does the Friar do?
3.	What is the Friar's plan?

A452 & 3

1.	'Henceforward I am ever ruled by you'.  Explain. 
2.	The wedding is advanced from Thursday to Wednesday.  What is Lady Capulet's main concern?
3.	What thoughts are on Juliet's mind as she prepares to take the drug?

A454

1.	'And with my child my joys are buried'.  Explain. 
2.	Read the last few lines of this scene?  What is their purpose?

A551

1.	What are Romeo's thoughts as the scene begins?
2.	'Then I defy you stars' Explain. 
3.	What does Romeo say about the apothecary?

A552

1.	Why did Friar John not take the message to Romeo?

A553

1.	Does Paris really love Juliet?  Evidence?
2.	Why does Romeo threaten Balthasar?
3.	'And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars?'  Explain. 
4.	'We still have known thee for a holy man'. What does this and 
5.	'Some shall be pardoned, some punished'.  Who for example? 

© Ministry of Education, Wellington, New Zealand (First published 1998)