english (shakespere, ) Flashcards
The prologue is written in what kind of poetic form?
An italian sonnet
Where does the play take place?
Verona, Italy
What does star crossed means?
It means against the fates.
Why did the play start in a brawl?
To immediately capture the audience’s attention.
What does it to bite one’s thumb?
Its a very rude and disrespectful gesture.
At this point in the play who is Romeo in love with?
Rosaline.
What are Romeo’s parents concerned about?
His state of mind, him being depressed.
Sampson and Gregory are sevants to which household?
The Capulets.
How is Tybalt characterized?
Tybalt is characterized as being hot-headed.
How is Benvolio characterized?
He is thoughtful and fearful of the law.
How is Romeo characterized?
He is lovelorn and distracted.
Explain the idea of masculine honour in Verona.
Masculine honour in Verona means you must defend yourself and always fight back, whether is be verbal or physical.
What does Prince Escalus proclaim will happen to the next person caught disturbing the peace?
He proclaims a death sentence.
Why doesn’t Peter have any power?
He is a lowly servant.
How old is Juliet?
Almost 14.
Why does Peter show Romeo and Benvolio the guest list for the Capulet masquerade ball?
Peter cannot read.
Does Juliet have any say in who she will marry?
No, her parents, especially her father, will decide for her.
Why does Romeo agree to go to the ball?
He knows Rosaline will be there.
What does Benvolio tell Romeo to do at the ball?
Benvolio tells Romeo to go to the ball because there will be attractive women there.
Capulet gives Paris his blessing to marry Juliet, but what condition does he insist on?
He insists on Paris waiting and getting to know Juliet first, since she is so young.
Who has raised Juliet since birth?
The nurse.
What is “Juliet falling on her back when she comes of age” a reference to?
It’s a reference to sexual intercorse.
List 4 adjectives to describe Juliet’s character.
Juliet is strong, obedient, intelligent and naive
What kind of mother is Lady Capulet?
Lady Capulet is a flighty and ineffectual mother.
What important matter does Lady Capulet need to talk to Juliet about?
Marriage.
What did Romeo dream?
He dreamt that going to the ball was a bad idea.
Who is Queen Mab?
A fairy that bring sdreams to sleeping people
What Romeo fearful of?
Romeo is fearful that a series of unfortunate events will occur that night, resulting in his death.
Describe Mercrutio.
Mercutio is whirling, full of puns and a man of excess.
Romeo’s passions are founded on the acceptance of what ideal?
His passions are founded on the ideal of romantic love.
Tybalt’s passions are founded on the acceptance of what ideal?
His passions are founded on the ideal of masculine honour.
Explain how Mercutio contrasts characters such as Romeo and Tybalt.
He doesn’t believe in either ideals, he sees through the blindness.
What are ‘queen’ and ‘mab’ references to?
Elizabethan whores.
Explain in what way Mercutio’s speech about Queen Mab begins and how it ends.
It begins like a fairy tale but ends rather negative and dark.
How does Romeo feel when he sees Juliet for the first time?
He feels transfixed.
What does Tybalt want to do when he recognizes Romeo’s voice?
He wants to fight him.
What are the two ways “kiss by the book” can be interpreted?
It means you either kiss well or in a predictable way.
What is Romeo and Juliet’s love in constant conflict with?
Religion, social structures, family, honour and civil desire for order.
The love between Romeo and Juliet shows an association with what?
Religion and God.
Why does Romeo and Juliet’s love tiptoe on the edge of blasphemy?
They do this because of the metaphors they’ve created for themselves, Romeo is a pilgrim and Juliet is a saint.
What does the shared sonnet between Romeo and Juliet show?
It shows the link between destiny and love.
Why won’t Capulet let Tybalt fight Romeo?
He doesn’t want the joyous mood of the ball to be ruined.
What makes it difficult for Romeo and Juliet to meet and let their passions grow?
The hatred between the Capulets and Montagues make it difficult for their love to grow.
What gives Romeo and Juliet the power and determination to get past the obstacles in their way?
The prospect of their love gives them the determination and and power to elude the obstacles.
