Act 1 Scene 2 and 3 Flashcards
What conditions does Lord Capulet give Paris in order to marry Juliet?
Wait a year and make her like him
Is this the first time that the topic of marriage has come up between Paris and Juliet?
No, “I will say what I have said before”
Why is Juliet talking about marriage when she is only 14?
People died really young in Shakespeare’s time so marriage was common around her age
What argument does Paris make that he should be able to marry Juliet without waiting?
That girls her age are already married and happy
Why is Capulet so protective of Juliet?
“Earth hath swallowed all my other hopes but she”
Capulet is so protective of Juliet because she is his only surviving child and when she gets married she will move to her husbands house and no longer live with her parents
What does “my will to her consent is but a part” say about Capulet’s thoughts about Juliet’s marriage?
It shows that Capulet believes Juliet should have a say in who she marries which is very uncommon for the time and helps show that Juliet is independent
How do Romeo and Benvolio learn that the Capulet’s are having a party?
The serving man sent out to give invitations is blind and asks for help reading the list
Why do Romeo and Benvolio decide the want to go to the party?
Romeo and Benvolio want to attend the party because Rosaline is attending and Romeo wants to see her
How does the Nurse compare to Lady Capulet?
They are foils and directly contrast each other
What are ways to describe the nurse?
The nurse loves Juliet, nurse is not sophisticated, kind of a yapper and a little crude, doesn’t take hints
What is the Nurse’s family situation?
The Nurse’s husband died, Nurse’s daugther also died bc she was supposed to nurse her and Juliet but had to prioritize Juliet bc it was her job
What happened the day the Nurse weaned Juliet?
She put wormwood on her nipple and there was an earthquake
What happened when Juliet was learning to walk?
She fell on her face and cut her forehead, Nurse’s husband said when she’s older she’ll fall on her back, said the mark on her forehead was the size of a rooster’s thing, repeats crude jokes
What is the Nurse’s role in the family?
Nurse is supposed to basically be Juliet’s mother and take care of her every need, basically raised her bc ladies of the court not expected to do that, Nurse feel’s Juliet is family bc her family died
What was the Nurse’s daugther’s name?
Susan
Why does Juliet tell the Nurse to stop telling crude stories?
Because her mother is mad
What is the Nurse’s ultimate wish?
Nurse wants to see Juliet be married then she will be happy, waited whole life to see Juliet leave
What does Lady Capulet want to talk to Juliet about?
Lady Capulet wants to talk to Juliet about being married, not really a choice for her kind of like asking a really good student where do you want to go to college
What does “it is an honor I dream not of” mean?
Juliet is very formal to her mother, implying she has a choice which is unusual, only real choice is to be married or become a nun
What does Lady Capulet tell Juliet when she is trying to convince her to marry?
(Manipulation)
When I was your age, not only was I married but I had already had you, you’re slacking you’re still a maid
She says Paris loves her and that he is brave and strong and it’s kind of shocking he would love her so she should be grateful
How does the Nurse describe Paris?
“A man of wax”
Means he is perfect, like the mold
Is marrying Paris a choice?
No Lady Capulet is basically saying go downstairs right now and go get married
What does Lady Capulet compare Paris too and what supports this metaphor?
Compares him to a book, extra rare bc of the printing press, only really rich people had books
content, written, volume, read, pen, margent, clasp, story
How does Juliet fit into the Paris book metaphor?
Juliet is only the cover and is merely there to make him pretty
What does Lady Capulet ask Juliet after the book speech?
“Speak Briefly. Can you like of Paris’s love?”
Quick what do you think?
How does Juliet ultimately respond to Lady Capulet’s probing?
Very cordial again, I’ll only do what you give me permission for, hesitant, can’t say no but seems a little doubtful
What does Lady Capulet leave out of her speech to Juliet that leads to panic later?
Doesn’t say that Paris has to wait 2 more years and win her over
Juliet has to basically go to the ballroom immediately and get married, no scene to show us her thoughts
Romeo and Juliet have a certain urgency bc she thinks they do’t have time
What are marriage stereotypes at the time?
Most marriages arranged, husband rules family, not shameful to be pregnant at wedding, marriage is for wealth and alliances, church wants marriages to have love
