The Prologue

Question 1

‘from ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean’

Answer 1

first quatrain prepares audience for long-standing hostility

Question 2

‘fatal loins’

Answer 2

hint of sexual love

Question 3

‘both alike in dignity’

Answer 3

both of similar rank

Question 4

what rhyme scheme?

Answer 4

ABAB rhyme scheme

Question 5

‘a pair of star cross’d lovers take their life’

Answer 5

their tragic death - ill fated because of the influence of the stars - widely believed that people’s lives were affected by the position of the stars when they were born - Romeo and Juliet’s love will come to a tragic end because it is destined to do so

Question 6

‘fearful passage of their death mark’d love’

Answer 6

2nd quatrain shows their destiny has been fixed since birth. this line emphasises the warning that they are doomed

Question 7

‘death bury their parents strife’

Answer 7

they stop fighting because of Romeo and Juliet’s death

Question 8

what does it stress?

Answer 8

the prologue stresses the tragic nature of the play

Question 9

what form does it take?

Answer 9

classical form of a sonnet sets a cohesive form to the tragedy as when Romeo and Juliet meet they share a sonnet