Romeo and Juliet study notes Flashcards
Who wrote Romeo and Juliet?
William Shakespeare
Who was William Shakespeare?
Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor. He was born in Stratford-upon-haven in the 16th century and wrote 37 plays and numerous sonnets. His work has been translated into every major language.
When was it published?
1597
Summarise the play into a paragraph.
An age-old vendetta between two powerful families erupts into bloodshed. A group of masked Montagues risk further conflict by gatecrashing a Capulet party. A young lovesick Romeo Montague falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet, who is due to marry her father’s choice, the County Paris. With the help of Juliet’s nurse, the women arrange for the couple to marry the next day, but Romeo’s attempt to halt a street fight leads to the death of Juliet’s own cousin, Tybalt, for which Romeo is banished. In a desperate attempt to be reunited with Romeo, Juliet follows the Friar’s plot and fakes her own death. The message fails to reach Romeo, and believing Juliet dead, he takes his life in her tomb. Juliet wakes to find Romeo’s corpse beside her and kills herself. The grieving family agree to end their feud.
Name the feuding families and their relationship
the Montagues and the Capulets. These two families, despite their similarities, despise each other and continually battle. The conflict between the two families is almost presented to be natural until Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love.
List important scenes in order that furthered the plot and explain what happened in them
THE SCENE IS SET (ACT 1 SCENE 1)
THE LOVERS MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME (ACT 1 SCENE 4)
ROMEO RISKS DEATH TO MEET JULIET AGAIN (ACT 2 SCENE 1)
THE WEDDING IS HELD IN SECRET (ACT 2 SCENE 5)
ROMEO ANGRILY KILLS JULIET’S COUSIN, TYBALT (ACT 3 SCENE 1)
THE UNHAPPY COUPLE ARE PARTED (ACT 3 SCENE 5)
THE FRIAR SUGGESTS A DANGEROUS SOLUTION (ACT 4 SCENE 1)
JULIET IS FOUND ‘DEAD’ (ACT 4 SCENE 4)
ROMEO LEARNS OF THE TRAGEDY AND PLANS SUICIDE (ACT 5 SCENE 1)
THE TRAGIC CONCLUSION (ACT 5 SCENE 3)
Who has died by the end of the play?
Six people died in the play “Romeo and Juliet” - Mercutio, Tybalt, Lady Montague, Paris, Romeo and Juliet.
What is the resolution?
The resolution of “Romeo and Juliet” is that Romeo and Juliet die, causing their parents to realize they were wrong and end their feud.
What type of play is Romeo and Juliet?
Romeo and Juliet is officially classified as a tragedy, but the play deviates from the tragic genre in some respects. Unlike other Shakespearean tragedies such as Macbeth, King Lear, and Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet is not concerned with a noble character whose actions have widespread consequence.
Where is the story set?
Verona is the setting of virtually the whole of Romeo and Juliet.
List who is part of the Montague Family
Romeo: Lord and Lady Montague’s son.
Montague: The head of the house of Montague, he is Romeo’s father and enemy of Capulet.
Lady Montague: Romeo’s mother.
Mercutio: Kinsman of Prince Escalus and friend of Romeo.
Benvolio: Nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo.
Balthasar: Romeo’s servant.
List who is part of the Capulet Family
Juliet: Daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet.
Capulet: The head of the house of Capulet, he is Juliet’s father and enemy of Montague.
Lady Capulet: Juliet’s mother.
Nurse: To Juliet.
Tybalt: Nephew of Lady Capulet and cousin of Juliet
List who is part of the Capulet Family
Juliet: Daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet.
Capulet: The head of the house of Capulet, he is Juliet’s father and enemy of Montague.
Lady Capulet: Juliet’s mother.
Nurse: To Juliet.
Tybalt: Nephew of Lady Capulet and cousin of Juliet
List any other relevant characters that are not directly related to either feuding family.
Friar Lawrence: A Franciscan friar and close friend of Romeo.
Paris: A relative of Prince Escalus.
Prince Escalus: The prince of Verona, he is related to Mercutio and Paris.
Friar John: Another Franciscan friar.
Why is act 3 scene 1 important?
ROMEO ANGRILY KILLS JULIET’S COUSIN, TYBALT (ACT 3 SCENE 1)
Romeo meets Tybalt in the street, and is challenged by him to a duel. Romeo refuses to fight and his friend Mercutio is so disgusted by this ‘cowardice’ that the takes up the challenge instead. As Romeo tries to break up the fight, Tybalt kills Mercutio and, enraged, Romeo then kills Tybalt. The Prince arrives and, on hearing the full story, banishes Romeo rather than have him executed.
