Full Text of Romeo and Juliet

Question 1

star-crossed:

Answer 1

doomed. The position
of the stars when the lovers were born
was not favorable. In Shakespeare’s day,
people took astrology very seriously.

Question 2

misadventured:

Answer 2

unlucky.

Question 3

but:

Answer 3

except for;

Question 4

naught:

Answer 4

nothing.

Question 5

ancient . . . unclean:

Answer 5

A new outbreak
of fighting (mutiny) between families has
caused the citizens of Verona to have one
another’s blood on their hands.

Question 6

the two hours’ . . . stage:

Answer 6

what will be
shown on the stage in the next two hours.

Question 7

what . . . mend:

Answer 7

The play will fill in the
details not mentioned in the prologue.

Question 8

we’ll not carry coals:

Answer 8

we won’t stand
to be insulted. Colliers, those involved in
the dirty work of hauling coal, were often
the butt of jokes.

Question 9

in choler:

Answer 9

angry;

Question 10

collar:

Answer 10

a hangman’s
noose.

Question 11

take the wall:

Answer 11

walk nearest to the wall.
People of higher rank had the privilege
of walking closer to the wall, to avoid any
water or garbage in the street.

Question 12

poor-John:

Answer 12

poor-John: a salted fish, considered
fit only for poor people to eat.

Question 13

marry:

Answer 13

marry: a short form of “by the Virgin
Mary” and so a mild exclamation.

Question 14

heartless hinds:

Answer 14

cowardly servants.

Question 15

drawn:

Answer 15

with your sword out.

Question 16

Have at thee:

Answer 16

Defend yourself.

Question 17

bills, and partisans:

Answer 17

bills, and partisans: spears.

Question 18

A crutch . . . sword:

Answer 18

You need a
crutch more than a sword.

Question 19

pernicious:

Answer 19

destructive.

Question 20

Three . . . peace:

Answer 20

The prince holds
Capulet and Montague responsible for
three recent street fights, each probably
started by an offhand remark or insult
(airy word). He warns that they will be
put to death if any more fights occur.

Question 21

exeunt:

Answer 21

the plural form of exit, indicating
that more than one person is leaving
the stage.

Question 22

Who . . . abroach:

Answer 22

Who reopened this
old argument?

Question 23

adversary:

Answer 23

enemy.

Question 24

ere:

Answer 24

before.

Question 25

on part and part:

Answer 25

some on one side, some on the other.

Question 26

fray:

Answer 26

fight.

Question 27

drave:

Answer 27

drove.

Question 28

rooteth:

Answer 28

grows.

Question 29

made:

Answer 29

moved;

Question 30

covert:

Answer 30

covering. Romeo saw Benvolio coming and hid in the woods. Since Benvolio himself was seeking solitude, he decided to respect Romeo’s privacy and did not go after him.

Question 31

Aurora’s bed:

Answer 31

Aurora was the goddess of the dawn.

Question 32

portentous:

Answer 32

indicating evil to come; threatening.

Question 33

importuned:

Answer 33

importuned: asked in an urgent way.

Question 34

his own affections’ counselor:

Answer 34

Romeo keeps to himself.

Question 35

so far from . . . know:

Answer 35

Finding out what Romeo is thinking is almost impossible. Montague compares his son to a young bud destroyed by the bite of a worm before it has a chance to open its leaves. Montague wants to find out what is bothering Romeo so he can help him.

Question 36

shrift:

Answer 36

confession.

Question 37

cousin:

Answer 37

any relative or close friend. The informal version is coz.

Question 38

love:

Answer 38

love: references to Cupid, the god of love, typically pictured as a blind boy with wings and a bow and arrow. Anyone hit by one of his arrows falls in love instantly. Cupid looks sweet and gentle, but in reality he can be a harsh master.

Question 39

purged:

Answer 39

cleansed (of the smoke).

Question 40

vexed:

Answer 40

troubled.

Question 41

gall:

Answer 41

something causing bitterness or hate.

Question 42

Soft:

Answer 42

Soft: Wait a minute.

Question 43

sadness:

Answer 43

seriousness.

Question 44

She’ll . . . unharmed:

Answer 44

The girl isn’t interested in falling in love. She is like Diana, the goddess of chastity, who fended off Cupid’s arrows.

Question 45

She will not . . . saint-seducing gold:

Answer 45

gold: She is not swayed by Romeo’s declaration of love, his adoring looks, or his wealth.

Question 46

For beauty . . . posterity:

Answer 46

posterity: By denying herself love and marriage, she wastes her beauty, which will not be passed on to future generations.

Question 47

to merit . . . despair:

Answer 47

despair: The girl will reach heaven (bliss) by being so virtuous, which causes Romeo to feel hopelessness or despair; forsworn to: sworn not to.

Question 48

’Tis . . . more:

Answer 48

That would only make me appreciate my own love’s beauty more.

Question 49

Show me . . . that passing fair:

Answer 49

A woman who is exceedingly (passing) beautiful will only remind me of my love, who is even prettier.

Question 50

I’ll pay . . . debt:

Answer 50

I’ll convince you you’re wrong, or die trying.

Question 51

bound:

Answer 51

obligated.

Question 52

reckoning:

Answer 52

reputation.

Question 53

what say . . . suit:

Answer 53

Paris is asking for Capulet’s response to his proposal to marry Juliet.

Question 54

let two more summers . . . pride:

Answer 54

let two more years pass.

Question 55

The earth . . . she:

Answer 55

All my children are dead except Juliet.

Question 56

woo her:

Answer 56

try to win her heart.

Question 57

An . . . voice:

Answer 57

I will give my approval to the one she chooses.