Romeo and Juliet Resources

Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare

At this point, I feel it's important to point out that this is a play. This is not a short story. This is not a novel. This is a play. Please do not forget this. 

The Prologue

The chorus is the person who comes onto the stage and tells the audience what is going to happen. He says that two families (Romeo's and Juliet's) are part of a long war with each other. They will only stop fighting when the two teen's die. 

Questions to answer: Why do you think the chorus tells the audience the entire story right at the beginning? Why does he tell the audience it will only last two hours? 

Act 1

A fight breaks out between the servants of the Montague family and the Capulet family. Benvolio (a Montague) and Tybalt (a Capulet) arrive. The Prince interrupts and says if there is anymore fighting between the families, they will be punished by death. The Capulet's talk about how sad Romeo has been lately. 

What is bothering Romeo? Is Benvolio a good friend? 

Benvolio finds out that Romeo is in love with a girl named Rosaline but she does not love him back. Benvolio tries to tell Romeo there are better girls out there. We find out that Paris wants to marry Juliet and that Juliet's father sets up a feast in order to get to know him better. Romeo and his friends intercept the invitations and decide to crash the party. 

Do you think Juliet is too young to be married? Why or why not?

She says she will listen to her parents advice. How do we know that she won't?

The Montagues go to the Capulet party. Romeo is worried about what might happen there. Romeo sees Juliet and it's love at first sight. Romeo is also seen by Tybalt and it is not love at first sight. Lord Capulet doesn't want bloodshed during his party so Tybalt lets Romeo off with a warning. Romeo and Juliet meet. 

Romeo went to see Rosaline but now he's fallen in love with Juliet. What do you think of him now? What do you think of his 'chat up' lines with Juliet? What words could be used to describe Tybalt? Can you guess what might happen between Tybalt and Romeo? 

Act 2

Romeo wants to be alone and has literally climbed a wall to escape his friends. He spies Juliet and eavesdrops on her conversation with herself. He reveals himself and that he is in love with her. They know this will bring trouble but they make plans to see Friar Laurence so that he can marry them. 

After this meeting with the Friar, Mercutio and Benvolio worry that Romeo is going to hav e fight with Tybalt. Juliet's Nurse gets teased by the Montague boys but tells Romeo that Juliet awaits his answers about the wedding. 

What do we think about the Nurse from this scene? 

Juliet waits impatiently for the Nurse. The Nurse teases Juliet by not telling her what she wants to know, but finally gives in and tells her about the plans. 

Juliet arrives at Friar Laurence's cell to be married to Romeo.

What words does the Nurse use to make Juliet impatient?

Why do you think the Nurse teases Juliet?

What type of relationship do they have? 

Act 3

Tybalt and Mercutio fight. Tybalt stabs and kills Mercutio. Mercutio says his famous line ("Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man" or "A PLAGUE ON BOTH YOUR HOUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"). Romeo is devastated and seeks revenge. He kills Tybalt but because he is the only one left alive after the fight, he fears being killed by the Prince and has to leave the city. 

What does this scene say about Romeo's behaviour?

Do you feel sorry for Mercutio? For Tybalt? 

The Prince arrives and Benvolio explains the situation. Juliet's mom wants Romeo killed but the Prince chooses the banish him. The Nurse returns to Juliet but she can't speak properly. Juliet learns of Tybalt's death and Romeo's banishment. Romeo managed to sneak to Friar Laurence's cell to hear his punishment. There is a chance Juliet and Romeo can see each other again but Romeo is so upset, he is talking about killing himself. The Nurse and Friar have to talk sense into him.

Do you agree that Romeo is acting silly?

Should he pull himself together and think himself lucky?

Is Friar Laurence right to promise Romeo that one day he will be able to return and everything will turn out right? 

Juliet's father wants to cheer everyone up with a wedding so he agrees to let Paris marry Juliet. Romeo and Juliet spend the night together. Juliet foreshadows by saying he looks "as one dead in the bottom of a tomb". What does this mean? 

Juliet is made aware that she has to marry Paris. Obviously, she is already married. LORD CAPULET DOES NOT KNOW THAT SHE IS ALREADY MARRIED TO ROMEO. I repeat, HE DOES NOT KNOW. He thinks he is doing something that will help cheer Juliet up, unaware of the real reason she is so upset. He is upset because she isn't thankful. Juliet plans to go to the Friar's for advice. If that doesn't work, she plans to kill herself. 

Act 4 

Paris thinks he will really marry Juliet. Friar Laurence cooks up a crazy plan that just might work! He tells Juliet to drink the equivalent of a sleeping pill or three so that she fakes death. She will sleep for 72 hours and wake up in the family tomb. Friar will write to Juliet and they will both wait for her to wake. 

Can you see how anything might go wrong with this plan? 

How would you describe Juliet? 

Juliet gets ready to drink her sleeping potion. She is alone and worried that it is poison. She is scared that she will wake up early and suffocate or go mad in the tomb. 

If you were Juliet, what would you be worried about right now? 

Early the next morning, Juliet is found dead. Only Friar Laurence and the audience know the truth. 

Act 5 

Romeo's servant goes to where Romeo is hiding and tells Romeo he has seen Juliet's funeral. He has no letters from the Friar (he was supposed to have had the one explaining the situation). Romeo plans to buy poison and kill himself. 

Romeo says, 'I dreamt my lady came and found me dead.' What does that tell you about what might happen? 'Get me ink and paper.' What do you think Romeo is going to do now? 

Romeo did not get the letter explaining that Juliet is faking her death. Paris and his servant go to the tomb. Romeo arrives and kills Paris. Romeo breaks into the tomb, drinks his poison, and kills himself. 

What does Paris think Romeo is going to do in the tomb?

Read again 'Death that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath

Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:

Thou art not conquer'd. Beauty's ensign yet

Is crimson in they lips and in thy cheeks.'

What has Romeo not realised? 

Friar Laurence arrives at the tomb. Juliet wake sup only to be told by the Friar that Romeo and Paris are dead. The Friar goes and Juliet kills herself. 

Why is the Friar so eager to get away?

What do you think of Juliet's reaction?

The three of them are found dead. Friar tells the story as he knows it. Romeo's letters to his father confirms it. The families make peace and statues will be made of the two star cross'd lovers.