Characters

Question 1

Romeo act 1, scene 1

Answer 1

‘O teach me how I should forget to think.’ Romeo is moping about his rejection by Rosaline.

Question 2

Romeo, act 1, scene 4

Answer 2

‘I dreamed a dream tonight’ It shows that Romeo believes in fate and feels that destiny is controlling him.

Question 3

Romeo, act 1, scene 5

Answer 3

‘Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight!’ This shows that Romeo is passionate about Juliet.

Question 4

Romeo, act 2 scene 2

Answer 4

‘Being in night, all this is but a dream, | Too flattering sweet to be substantial.’ Romeo is saying that he can barely believe the fact that Juliet loves him. it links to the theme of love and illustrates Romeo’s passionate nature.

Question 5

Romeo, act 3, scene 1

Answer 5

‘And with fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! | Now Tybalt, take the villain back again.’ Again, Romeo’s passion and anger are shown. He wants revenge for the death of his friend, Mercutio. It links to the theme of conflict and male aggression.

Question 6

Romeo, Act 5, 1

Answer 6

‘I dreamt my lady came and found me dead -|
Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to think! | And breathed such life with kisses in my lips.’ This foreshadows Romeo’s death at the end of the play and also links to the theme of fate as is it suggests that his death is inevitable.

Question 7

Juliet Act 1, scene 3

Answer 7

‘It is an honour I dream not of’ In this scene, Juliet’s mother is broaching the idea of marrying Paris with her. Juliet is not interested in marriage to anybody at this point in the play. She is going against patriarchal ideas by saying this.

Question 8

Juliet, Act 1, 5

Answer 8

‘My only love sprung from my only hate’ . This is when Juliet realises that Romeo is a Montague and the sworn enemy. The use of contradictions show her conflicted feelings towards Romeo.

Question 9

Juliet, Act 1, 5

Answer 9

‘That I must love a loathed enemy’ This links to the theme of conflict and the idea that the family feud is a threat to her love.

Question 10

Juliet Act 2, 2

Answer 10

‘O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art though Romeo? | Deny thy father and refuse thy name.’ Juliet’s soliloquy in the balcony scene allows her to reveal her true feelings about Romeo to the audience. It illustrates her love and devotion for him.

Question 11

Juliet Act 2, 2

Answer 11

‘If that thy bent of love be honourable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow.’ It reflects Juliet’s desire to marry and illustrates her decisive nature as a character.

Question 12

Juliet Act 3, 2

Answer 12

‘And bring in cloudy night immediately| Spread thy close curtain, love performing night.’ The use of darkness and night time that is linked with Romeo and Juliet’s relationship emphasises the secrecy of their relationship.

Question 13

Juliet Act 3, 3

Answer 13

’..I’ll to my wedding bed. | And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead.’ Juliet is saying that she is married to death. This image of Juliet being married to death is repeated in the play . You can also see this is Act 1, 5 when she says ‘My grave is set to be my wedding bed’. It foreshadows the events of the play and the death of the lovers.

Question 14

Juliet act 3, 5

Answer 14

‘Good father, I beseech you on my knees | Hear me with patience but to speak a word.’ Juliet has refused to marry Paris and her father is enraged with her. It links to the context of the time and the idea that girls had no rights and had to do what they were told.

Question 15

Why is Mercutio important in the play?

Answer 15

Mercutio is important because he is Romeo’s friend. He is a lively and funny character whose death, in a duel with Tybalt, changes the mood of the play and also changes the course of Romeo’s love.

Question 16

Mercutio, act 1, 4

Answer 16

‘If thou art dun, we’ll draw thee from the mire.’ Mercutio is telling Romeo that he if he is unhappy, he will drag him out of his unhappiness. It emphasises his light hearted nature and comedic presence in the play.

Question 17

Mercutio, act 2, scene 1

Answer 17

‘If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. | Now will he sit under a medlar tree and. | And wish his mistress were that fruit.’ Mercutio is describing how Romeo is driven by sexual passion. Throughout the play he has a bawdy sense of humour and makes many sexual references.

Question 18

Mercutio, Act 3, 1

Answer 18

‘And but one word of us? Couple it with| something, make it a word and a blow?’ Tybalt is trying to be polite but Mercutio wants to start a fight. This links to the theme of male aggression and conflict. It shows his aggressive side.

Question 19

Mercutio, Act 3, 1.

Answer 19

‘Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man’ Even as he is dying, Mercutio makes a pun about his death. It again reflects his humorous character but also creates a sense of pathos about his death and develops the change of mood in the play.

Question 20

What is Benvolio’s role in the play?

Answer 20

Benvolio is the peace maker of the play. He is Romeo’s friend but, unlike Romeo, Tybalt and Mercutio, he tries to calm rather than aggravate situations.

Question 21

Benvolio, Act 1, scene 1

Answer 21

To Tybalt: ‘I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword,

Or manage it to part these men with me.’ This reflects Benvolio’s desire to maintain the peace in Verona.

Question 22

Benvolio, Act 3, 1

Answer 22

To Mercutio: ‘And I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.’ Benvolio is telling Mercutio that if he was as argumentative as him he would die quickly. It emphasises the contrast between the two characters.

Question 23

What is Tybalt’s role in the play?

Answer 23

Tybalt is a fiery and violent character who is hell bent on keeping the feud between the two families (the Montague’s and Capulet’s) going. He contrasts with Romeo and Benvolio who desire to keep the peace.

Question 24

Tybalt, Act 1, scene 1

Answer 24

‘What drawn and talk of peace! I hate the word, | As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee;’ This demonstrates the anger and male aggression that consumes Tybalt.

Question 25

Tybalt, Act 1, scene 5

Answer 25

To his Uncle, Lord Capulet: ‘It fits when such a villain is a guest: I’ll not endure him’. Tybalt is not happy that Romeo has been allowed to attend the ball and wishes to fight with him. Again it emphasises his desire to perpetuate the feud.

Question 26

Tybalt, Act 3, 1

Answer 26

To Romeo: ‘Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here, Shall with him hence.’ Tybalt is threatening Romeo and wishes to kill him as he has just killed Mercutio.

Question 27

What is Friar Laurence’s role in the play?

Answer 27

The Friar is able to marry people so he plays an integral role in helping Romeo and Juliet to marry. Romeo looks up to him and seeks his advice throughout the play. He is convinced that the marriage between the two will end the feud between the two families. He is a skilled herbalist who can make potions and medicines. He tries to help the lovers but it backfires.

Question 28

Friar Lawrence, act 2, 3

Answer 28

‘For this alliance may so happy prove| To turn your households’ rancour to pure love’ Friar Lawrence is not convinced that Romeo loves Juliet but is willing to marry them because he is convinced that it will end the feud between the families.

Question 29

Friar Lawrence, act 3, 3

Answer 29

To Romeo: ‘Hold thy desperate hand!
Art thou a man? Thy form cries thou art: Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denote the unreasonable fury of a beast’. Friar Lawrence is talking Romeo out of killing himself after his banishment from Verona. It shows the influence that he has over Romeo.

Question 30

Friar Lawrence act 4, 1

Answer 30

‘O Juliet, I already know thy grief, it strains me past the compass of my wits.’ The Friar feels responsible for the situation that Juliet is in as he knows that he has already married her to Romeo so cannot marry her to Paris. He gives her a potion to take that will make her appear as though she is dead.

Question 31

Friar Lawrence act 5, 2

Answer 31

’ The letter was not nice but full of charge of dear import’ The Friar is horrified that the letter has not been sent to Romeo and is worried about the consequences. It links to the theme of fate as it indicates that the lover’s are doomed. He cannot prevent the death of either of the two lovers.

Question 32

What is the role of the nurse in the play?

Answer 32

The nurse is Juliet’s confidante and has brought her up since being a baby. She is the one who is involved in the first discussions about her marriage to Paris; she is sent to organise the marriage between Romeo and Juliet; she arranges the meeting between the two after Romeo has been banished; advises that Juliet marries Paris after Romeo’s exile and discovers the apparently dead body of Juliet. She is necessary to aid the development of the play as she is integral to the arrangements.

Question 33

Nurse, Act 1, 3

Answer 33

‘A man young lady! Such a man| As all the world -why he’s a man of wax.’ The nurse is trying to convince Juliet that she should marry Paris by saying that he is a perfect man. It demonstrates the level of involvement that the nurse has in Juliet’s life.

Question 34

Nurse Act 1, 3

Answer 34

‘No less, nay bigger. Women grow by men’ The nurse is saying that men get women pregnant. It demonstrates her bawdy humour but also demonstrates her lower social status as Lord’s and Lady’s would never speak in such a manner.

Question 35

Nurse Act 2, 4

Answer 35

‘I will tell her, sir, that you do protest -which as I take it is a gentlemanlike offer.’ The nurse is telling Romeo that she will tell Juliet about his proposal ( she has mixed up the word ‘proposal’ with ‘protest’ for a comedic effect). It demonstrates how important she is in developing the events of the play as she is key in arranging the marriage between the two.

Question 36

Nurse, Act 3, 5

Answer 36

‘Your lady mother is coming to your chamber. The day is broke, be wary, look about.’ Again, the nurse is the one who helps to organise Romeo and Juliet’s last night together before he is banished to Mantua. It shows that she is a character of great trust in the play.

Question 37

Nurse Act 3, 5

Answer 37

‘Marry, I will, and this is wisely done’. The nurse is telling Juliet that she should still go ahead to the marriage with Paris, despite being married already. It causes a rift in their relationship and leads to Juliet feeling more alone than ever.

Question 38

What is Lord Capulet’s role in the play ?

Answer 38

Lord Capulet is Juliet’s father. He is a rich business man and typifies ideas of a controlling father. He agrees (reluctantly) to Paris marrying Juliet and invites Paris to the ball so that he can meet her. He insists that Juliet marries Paris after Tybalt’s death. He reflects patriarchal attitudes of the time and ideas that women had no choice in anything.

Question 39

Lord Capulet, Act 1, 2

Answer 39

‘Let two more summers wither in their pride| Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.’ Lord Capulet is explaining to Paris that he feels, that at 14, Juliet is too young to marry. It shows him to be a concerned father. which contrasts with his behaviour later in the play.

Question 40

Lord Capulet, act 1, 2

Answer 40

‘But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart| My will to her consent is but a part.’ Lord Capulet is telling Paris that he will only agree to the marriage if Juliet falls in love with him. Again, it contrasts with act 3, 5 and his attitude towards Juliet when she refuses to marry Paris.

Question 41

Lord Capulet, act 1, 5

Answer 41

To Tybalt; ‘I would not for the wealth of all this town| Here in my house do him disparagement.’ Tybalt is angry that Romeo has attended the ball and wishes for him to be removed. Lord Capulet tells him that he would not wish any harm to come to Romeo. It shows that Lord Capulet is a peaceful character.

Question 42

Lord Capulet, Act 3, 5

Answer 42

‘But fettle your fine joints ‘gainst Thursday next, To go with Paris to St Peter’s church. Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.’ After Juliet refuses to marry Paris, her father tells her that he will drag her to the church to marry Paris. This reflects patriarchal society at the time as it shows how girls had no say in matters of marriage and love.

Question 43

Lord Capulet, Act 3, 5

Answer 43

‘Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch!’ Lord Capulet’s anger towards Juliet illustrates how controlling he is. His lack of sympathy towards Juliet helps the audience to relate to Juliet’s unhappiness.

Question 44

Lord Capulet, Act 3, 5

Answer 44

‘And you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend| And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets.’ Lord Capulet is telling Juliet what will happen to her if she carries on with her disobedience. He is telling her that she will be disowned.

Question 45

Lord Capulet, Act 4, 5

Answer 45

‘Death lies on her like an untimely frost| upon the sweetest flower of all the field.’ Lord Capulet is devastated to find the ‘dead’ body of his daughter. It shows his love for her. It also emphasises the pathos of the situation and the tragedy of a young life being cut short.

Question 46

Lord Capulet, Act 4, 5

Answer 46

’..There she lies. Flower as she was deflowered by him. Death is my son-in-law’ Capulet echoes previous ideas of Juliet being married to death. It also foreshadows the death of his real son-in-law, Romeo, at the end of the play.

Question 47

What role does Lady Capulet play?

Answer 47

Lady Capulet is a wealthy woman in a patriarchal society. Her position is determined by her marriage and she follows her husbands orders. She has a very cold and distant relationship with her daughter, Juliet and views Juliet’s marriage a business transaction rather than a love relationship. She only shows feelings for her daughter after her ‘death’.

Question 48

Lady Capulet, Act 1, 3

Answer 48

‘By my count, I was your mother much upon these years’ This suggests that Lady Capulet’s marriage is loveless and that, like Juliet, she was forced to marry rather than for love. It reinforces the idea that women had little or no say in their lives.

Question 49

Lady Capulet, Act 3, 5

Answer 49

‘The County Paris, at St Peter’s Church, | Shall happily make thee a joyful bride.’ Lady Capulet is telling Juliet about the plans that have been made for her upcoming marriage.

Question 50

Lady Capulet, Act 3, 5

Answer 50

‘Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word. | Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.’ After Juliet refuses to marry Paris, her mother refuses to defend her and takes the side of her husband. She is very cold towards her daughter and it shows how isolated Juliet is feeling. She tells her daughter that she wants nothing to do with her.

Question 51

Lady Capulet, Act 4, 5

Answer 51

‘Most miserable hour that e’er time saw| in lasting labour of his pilgrimage!’ Lady Capulet seems to be distressed about the death of her daughter which contrasts with her rejection of Juliet in Act 3, 5.