• Plot summaries• Revision activities• Key quotations• Character notes

• Key context• Exam practice

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• Plot summaries• Revision activities• Key quotations• Character notes

• Key context• Exam practice

question with ANSWERS

• Jargon-free mark scheme

• Model paragraph

Key events (AO1)

Act 1

The PrologueA Prologue is usually a brief introduction to play, setting out key events and characters for the audience. Remember that all of the Shakespeare's plays were performed on stage, not just to be read on paper.

The Chorus, the character that presents the Prologue, explains that there are two families who hold a long-running grudge between them that has caused much violent and blood being shed in Verona, where the play is set. From these two warring families we are told comes a pair of 'star-cross'd' lovers who will eventually take their own lives. Their love and death will restore order between the two families. This topic will be the focus of the play for the next two hours, we are told.

Scene 1Two servants of the Capulet family, Sampson and Gregory, are walking through Verona. Sampson talks about how much he hates the Montagues - a rival family. They joke and make puns about how weak the Montague men are and how they will take advantage of the Montague women. Gregory notices two servants from the Montague family coming towards them, and he wonders how he can cajole them into a brawl without breaking any local laws. Sampson decides to 'bite his thumb' at the servants, a very offensive gesture to make.

The two sets of servants begin hurling insults at each other and a fight breaks out. A cousin of the Montagues, Benvolio, sees the fight and tries to stop it happening. Tybalt, cousin to the Capulet family, sees what is happening and attempts to join in the fight, believing Benvolio is involved having drawn his sword. Benvolio tries to explain that he wants to bring peace by stopping the others fighting. The fathers of the two families, Montague and Capulet, arrive, but it is their wives that stop them from joining in the fight as well! The prince of Verona, Prince Escalus turns up and demands that the fight stops or those involved will suffer torture as a penalty. They all throw down their weapons.

The Prince gives a speech about stopping the violence between the two families and says anyone who fights in the street again will be executed. He means business and says he will speak to the parents of the two families about it. Everyone leaves except Benvolio and his uncle and aunt Montague and Lady Montague. They ask him about how the fight started and whether he had seen their son Romeo, Benvolio replying that Romeo has been sad looking very sad and troubled. Romeo's parents are concerned about their son and have tried to ask him what is he wrong, but he won't talk. Benvolio sees Romeo and says he'll try and find out.

Romeo dotes on a girl called Rosaline, he tells Benvolio, but it is unrequited love and she is not interested in him. Benvolio tries to make Romeo feel better by telling him to go for other women, but Romeo says Rosaline is the most beautiful woman he has seen. Romeo leaves saying to Benvolio that he cannot help him to forget about Rosaline. Benvolio says he will try.

Scene 2Elsewhere in Verona, Capulet is walking with Paris - a nobleman that knows the Prince. They talk about Capulet's daughter Juliet - Paris wants to marry her. Father Capulet is incredibly happy about this, but does explain that Juliet is not even fourteen yet and is a little too young to get married. He requests that Paris waits two years until she is sixteen. In Shakespeare's time noble women were married off to men often chosen by their parents in a type of business deal - it was unusual for people to marry for love.

Capulet explains that Paris is his preferred suitor and asks him to come to the huge annual feast and party he is hosting that night, so Paris can start to meet and woo Juliet, to try and win her over. Peter, a servant of Capulet, is told to go and invite people to the party. Unfortunately for Peter, he can't read and says he will have a lot of trouble trying to invite people from the list!

Romeo and Benvolio walk on by and are still talking about Rosaline. Peter goes up to Romeo and asks him to read the list; Romeo starts to do so and notices Rosaline is on it. Peter invites Benvolio and Romeo to the party, not thinking that they might be Montagues. Benvolio says they can go to try and find other beautiful women. Romeo agrees, but really he wants to see Rosaline.

Key events (AO1)

Act 1

Scene 3We move on to the Capulet household where Lady Capulet asks for the Nurse, saying she needs to find her daughter Juliet. Juliet arrives and Lady Capulet asks her to leave so they can talk in private. However, realising she has no close relationship with her daughter, calls the Nurse to come back in so she can offer her advice.

Lady Capulet starts talking but it sets off the Nurse on a long-winded and embarrassing story about Juliet as a child saying something rude without realising. Lady Capulet keeps trying to stop her talking, but it is Juliet who finally gets the Nurse to control her laughter.

Lady Capulet brings up the topic of marriage to Juliet. Juliet says she's not really thought about it, but Lady Capulet explains she would have been the same age as Juliet when she gave birth to her daughter. Lady Capulet insists Juliet must think about marriage because Paris has shown interest in her. Juliet says she will look at Paris at the party and see if she can fall in love with him. A servant comes in announcing that the feast is beginning.

Scene 4Romeo and Benvolio arrives at the party with their friend Mercutio - they are all wearing masks as it is a 'masquerade' feast. Romeo is still full of melancholy and is concerned they won't get into the party as they will be recognized as Montagues. However, when they are let in he then moves on to saying he refuses to dance at the party. Mercutio pokes fun at Romeo, transforming every Romeo says into bawdy sexual puns. Romeo is not interested in this type of banter, and starts talking about a dream he had which told him going to this party was not a good idea.

In response, Mercutio makes an extensive speech about Queen Mab - the queen of the fairies in folklore, who visits those asleep in their dreams. As he goes on and on, Mercutio becomes more and more obsessed with the idea, moving away from mirth to seriousness and anger. Romeo calms down his friend and Mercutio says he talked about nothing, saying dreams are nothing more than the "children of an idle brain".

Benvolio brings the pair back to focusing on the party but Romeo raises one more worry: he feels whatever happens at the party tonight will set the wheels of fate moving, which will end up with the death of someone. However, Romeo tries to make himself seem cheerful and then move on to the party.

Scene 5We are at the party, and everything is busy. The servants are working hard to make the party a success and the Capulets move around the hall talking to their guests. Romeo sees Juliet from across the room and he asks one of the servants who that girl is. The servant says he doesn't know, but Romeo is stunned by her beauty. He seems to have completely forgotten about Rosaline - he even goes as far to say he has not loved until this very moment.

Tybalt hears Romeo's voice and knows he is a Montague, demanding a servant gets his sword so he can attack Romeo. However, father Capulet hears Tybalt and tells him off, saying Romeo is a very well respected young man in Verona, and he will not have anyone harmed at his party. Tybalt is angry, but Capulet is furious that Tybalt would disobey him. Tybalt agrees not to do anything. Capulet moves away, but Tybalt tells himself he will not let this family insult go.

Romeo moves towards Juliet and grabs her hand. They speak to each other using religious imagery, Juliet paints herself as a saint and Romeo himself as a pilgrim wanting to lose his previous sins. He uses his language to try to get her to kiss him, so that he can wash away his sins. Juliet agrees he can kiss her but she will not move towards him, so she therefore takes his sin away from him. However, because Juliet now has Romeo's sin, she must give it back to him and so they kiss once more. The Nurse comes in and tells Juliet her mother wants to speak to her. As Juliet goes, Romeo asks the Nurse who Juliet's mother is. The Nurse says that Lady Capulet is and Romeo cannot believe it - Juliet is a Capulet!

The crowds begin to head home and Benvolio tries to get Romeo to go home. Juliet asks the Nurse to identify different men at the party. The Nurse returns and finds out the name of the man is Romeo and he is a Montague. Just like Romeo, Juliet cannot believe this boy she has fallen in love with is from her family's enemies. She leaves the hall.

Key events (AO1)

Act 2

Prologue

Just like at the start of Act 1, the Chorus is on stage to present a short sonnet (14 line poem in iambic pentameter) to describe how Romeo and Juliet have fallen for each other. Due to the hatred between the two families, it is near impossible for them to meet unless it is done in secret. However, the idea of their love and future together gives them the desire and determination to meet each other and avoid the problems that will lie in front of them.

Scene 1Romeo tells himself that he cannot return home, he must see Juliet again. He leaves his friends and climbs a wall that borders the Capulet house and jumps into an orchard on their property. Benvolio and Mercutio arrive, shouting Romeo's name. They think he is near but Romeo refuses to answer. Mercutio laughs at Romeo, making fun of his feelings for Rosaline -unaware of his new love for Juliet. They leave, assuming Romeo does not want to be found. Romeo says to himself that Mercutio's words mean nothing to him - he does not love Rosaline.

Juliet comes to her window just above where Romeos is. Romeo looks at her carefully and begins to describe her in detail, saying she is far more beautiful than the moon and she is like the sun. He thinks about speaking to her, but thinks it is too risky. Juliet is talking to herself and asks why Romeo has to be a Montague - not knowing Romeo can hear what she is saying. This is known as dramatic irony, when the audience knows more than some of the characters. If Romeo were to deny his family name she would be with him, or if he swears he loves her she would denounce her Capulet name. Romeo replies back to her, shocking Juliet.

She asks how he found her and he says his love led him to her. Juliet says Romeo will be executed if he is found but he says he cannot go, saying his love protects him from Juliet's family. Juliet says she feels as strongly about Romeo as he does about her, but she is not sure how Romeo feels about her or whether Romeo will think Juliet is too easily won over. Juliet says things are happening too quickly, but Romeo tries to make her feel better, and the two say they love each other again. In the background the Nurse calls for Juliet and she goes back into her room.

She comes back and tells Romeo she will get someone to go to him tomorrow to see if he is a man of honour and that he wants to marry her. Juliet goes back into her room after the Nurse calls her again. Finally, she comes back once more and tells Romeo the time her messenger will meet with him. They agree on 9am. They profess their love for each other once more, and the two depart from each other once more. Romeo goes off to find a monk (a religious figure) to help wed Juliet.

Scene 2

Friar Lawrence comes on to the stage, holding a basket and begins placing weeds, herbs and flowers into it. He talks to himself about the beauty of the world, and how his knowledge of the plants he picks have powers - both positive and negative. Romeo comes in and Friar Lawrence guesses that Romeo has not slept.

The Friar is concerned that Romeo may have sinned with Rosaline, but Romeo says that didn't happen -rather he now loves Juliet and wants to marry her. He wants consent from the Friar for him to marry them today! That's some serious wedding planning on Romeo's part. Friar Lawrence can't believe how quickly Romeo has moved on - he talks about how fickle young people and their love are.

Romeo says that Juliet loves him as well and Rosaline didn't. Although the Friar is very sceptical about Romeo's new-found love, he does agree to marry them, hoping that it will end the fighting between the two families. Romeo is ecstatic.

Key events (AO1)

Act 2

Scene 3We are now with Mercutio and Benvolio as they think about what happened to Romeo. Benvolio has found out Romeo didn't return home and Mercutio is insulting about Rosaline. We find out that Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo demanding a duel with him due to his 'insult' at the party. Mercutio says because Romeo has been hit by Cupid's arrow, he's already a dead man. Mercutio talks about whether he thinks Romeo will be strong enough to defeat Tybalt. Benvolio tries to defend his cousin, but Mercutio describes Tybalt in detail: a master sword fighter, composed and proper. However, Tybalt - he claims - is vain and narcissistic. He hates everything Tybalt represents.

Romeo comes in and Mercutio makes fun of him once more, saying he is now weak because of his love. Mercutio pretends he is Romeo and uses his words to compare Rosaline to ancient beauties with Romeo finding them far superior; all this makes Romeo out to be deluded. Mercutio says Romeo abandoned his mates last night and Romeo says he didn't, saying he had to leave. They begin making bawdy sexual jokes.

The Nurse comes in with Peter the servant. The Nurse asks to speak to Romeo. Mercutio makes fun of the Nurse, claiming she is a prostitute. As you can imagine, she is furious at this. Benvolio and Mercutio leave and Romeo says he will join with them soon. The Nurse has a serious talk with Romeo and says he had better be honest and true with Juliet; Romeo says he will be. Romeo asks the Nurse to tell Juliet to go to confession at Friar Lawrence's home that afternoon and then they will be married. She agrees to pass on the message. The Nurse says she will put a ladder up for Romeo to climb up to Juliet's room on the night of the wedding.

Scene 4

We are in the Capulet orchard as Juliet waits for the Nurse to return from her meeting with Romeo. The Nurse comes back and Juliet wants to know what has happened, but the Nurse makes all sorts of excuses: she is tired, sore, out of breath and so on. Juliet grows impatient and the Nurse eventually tells her that Romeo is to marry her in Friar Lawrence's cell.

The Nurse leaves to wait for Romeo's servant who will bring the ladder Romeo will use to climb up into Juliet's room later that night.

Scene 5

Friar Lawrence and Romeo are at his cell waiting for Juliet to come. Romeo says he doesn't care what happens later, nothing beats the joy he feels at this moment.

Friar Lawrence tells Romeo to love carefully not intensely, claiming "these violent delights have violent ends". Juliet comes in and Romeo asks her to describe their love, but she says their love is far too great to describe. They exit and are off to be wed.

Key events (AO1)

Act 3

Scene 1Benvolio and Mercutio are walking through the streets as the sun beats down on them. Benvolio recommends they go indoors, as if they see the Capulets they will inevitably end up in a fight. Mercutio retorts that Benvolio can become as angry as any other man in Italy and they shouldn't criticise other people for having quick tempers.

Unfortunately for them, Tybalt enters with a gang of his friends. He goes up to Benvolio and Mercutio and wants to speak with them. Mercutio is angry and begins to mock Tybalt. At this point Romeo comes in and Tybalt calls Romeo a villain for the insult he has caused to him. Romeo can't really attack or retaliate because of his secret marriage to Juliet - after all, Tybalt is Juliet's cousin. Romeo says he does not wish to fight Tybalt, making him look dishonourable in the eyes of the men.

Mercutio, shocked at Romeo's refusal to fight, draws his sword and says that if Romeo won't fight Tybalt then he will. Tybalt and Mercutio begin to fight, but Romeo tries to put a stop to it. He throws himself between the pair, but as this happens Tybalt stabs Mercutio in the gap under Romeo's arm. Mercutio falls down and Tybalt and cronies run away. Mercutio dies, cursing both the Capulets AND the Montagues. He says: "A plague o' both your houses" - a great line for you to learn for your revision.

He makes jokes about death: "Ask for me tomorrow, and / you shall find me a grave man". Romeo is overcome with anger and says his love to Juliet has made him like a woman, and regrets not fighting Tybalt. Tybalt returns and Romeo attacks him with his sword. Romeo kills Tybalt. Benvolio tells Romeo to run away as a group of citizens have seen the fighting take place (remember what the Prince said about fighting back in Act 1? Yup). Romeo says he is "fortune's fool" and runs off. The Prince arrives with other citizens of Verona and the parents of the two families.

Benvolio explains what happened in detail again, but saying Romeo tried to keep peace between the men. However, Tybalt's aunt and Juliet's mother Lady Capulet says Romeo should die for killing Tybalt and that Benvolio is lying. Prince Escalus decides that rather than execute Romeo, he will exile him outside of Romeo, never to be seen in the city again. Should he return he will be killed. Can you feel the tension at this halfway point? This is called a 'climax'!

Scene 2Back at the Capulet's, Juliet waits for Romeo to come - she has no idea of what has happened in the city streets. The Nurse runs in to tell her about what has happened. However, the Nurse makes it sound like Romeo is dead, Juliet guessing that Romeo has killed himself. Because of this she resigns herself to death as well. The Nurse begins to speak about Tybalt dying and Juliet thinks both Tybalt and Romeo are dead, but she eventually sees that it is Romeo who has killed her cousin, and that Romeo has been exiled from Verona.

Juliet cannot believe that such a "sweet flesh" that is Romeo could house "the spirit of a fiend". Juliet is angry when the Nurse criticises Romeo and says she should not have criticised him either.

Juliet thinks she will not see Romeo again and that their marriage will not be consummated, but the Nurse says she knows where Romeo is and that she will make sure he comes tonight. Juliet gives the Nurse a ring to give to Romeo as a symbol of her love for him, despite what has happened.

Scene 3Romeo is hiding in Friar Lawrence's cell, full of grief and cannot believe he must be exiled. Friar Lawrence tries to get him to see that his punishment is much better than being executed. Romeo says that being banished is far worse because he won't be able to see Juliet.

The Nurse arrives and Romeo demands to know any news from Juliet. Romeo guesses that Juliet perceives him as a murderer and so says he will kill himself, but Friar Lawrence stops him and criticises him, saying he is not behaving in a manly way.

The Friar tries to get him to see that both he and Juliet are alive - if he gives the Prince time he could change his mind. The Friar puts together a plan that Romeo will visit Juliet tonight and then leave Verona by the morning. Romeo will then stay in nearby Mantua until news of the marriage between Romeo and Juliet be explained to the families.

The Nurse gives Romeo the ring and it is this symbol which makes him feel better. The Nurse leaves and Romeo goes off to visit Juliet before running away to Mantua.

Key events (AO1)

Act 3

Scene 4The Capulet parents and Paris are walking together. Lord Capulet says that due to what has happened recently, he has not been able to speak to his daughter about marriage. Lady Capulet says she will find out how her daughter feels tomorrow.

Paris is about to leave when Capulet says he will attempt to persuade his daughter to marry Paris. He believes she will listen to him but then changes what he said and claims Juliet will do as she is told. He says to Paris that their wedding will be held on Wednesday but then says Thursday as Wednesday is too soon.

Scene 5Romeo has visited Juliet's chamber and is about to leave because it is dawn - he must escape to Mantua. However, Juliet tries to make Romeo believe the birdcalls in the distance are from nightingales (birds of the night) rather than larks which sing in the morning. However, Romeo says he must leave or he will be killed. Juliet says the light outside is from a meteor, not the sun, so it's not daylight. Romeo feels so in love with Juliet that he says he no longer cares whether he lives or dies - he just wants to stay with Juliet.

However, Juliet now says it was the lark singing and that Romeo must go. The Nurse comes in and says to Juliet that her mother is arriving. Romeo and Juliet say their goodbyes and Romeo goes out the window. Romeo tells Juliet from the orchard below that they will see each other again, but Juliet says he looks pale as if in a tomb. However, Romeo says they both look pale because of their sadness and sorrow.

Romeo runs away and Juliet hides the ladder. Lady Capulet comes in and she wonders why her mother would want to talk to her this early. Lady Capulet has no idea Juliet is already married to Romeo and thinks Juliet is sad and crying because of her love for Tybalt. Juliet manipulates her words carefully to make it sound like she wants Romeo dead, but what she is really doing is stating her love for Romeo. Lady Capulet reveals the plan put together by her husband for Juliet to marry Paris on Thursday. Juliet is astonished and disgusted, she says she cannot marry Paris and says: "“I will not marry yet; and when I do, I swear / It shall be Romeo—whom you know I hate— / Rather than Paris”, the audience knowing full well what she really means by this.

Her father comes in and is furious at Juliet's disobedience, even going so far as to threaten to disown her if she doesn't marry Paris. Her mother refuses to help. Her parents leave and Juliet turns to her beloved nurse for help. The Nurse says she should marry Paris and Romeo is basically dead to her now anyway. Juliet cannot believe what she is hearing from the Nurse, but she doesn't show it. Instead she tells the Nurse she will go to the Friar to make confession. Her plan, however, is to ask the Friar for help and if he cannot she will kill herself.

Key events (AO1)

Act 4

Scene 1Friar Lawrence is talking to Paris in his cell about Paris' marriage to Juliet. Paris says Juliet feels awful because of Tybalt's death, but that the marriage to him will make her feel better and that is how her father feels, too. The Friar wishes to himself that he didn't know the reason why this marriage should not happen.

Juliet comes in and Paris tries to woo her, although he comes across as quite arrogant. Juliet makes herself sound neither love or hatred, but somewhere in between. Friar goes with Juliet, saying they must complete her confession. Paris tries to kiss Juliet as she leaves.

Juliet begs the Friar Lawrence for help when they are away from Paris, holding a knife saying she will kill herself if he doesn't help her. The Friar puts together plan that involves Juliet agreeing to marry Paris, but on the night before the wedding she will take a sleeping potion that will make it look like she is dead, then she will be put in the Capulets' tomb as if dead, and the Friar will send a messenger to Romeo in Mantua that he must come and get Juliet when she wakes up.

They can then both live in Mantua happy and away from their parents' knowledge. Juliet agrees to the plan and the Friar gives her the potion he has made.

Scene 2Juliet goes back home and tells her parents that she will marry Paris. They are surprised but happy -Capulet is so pleased he moves the wedding forward to Wednesday.

Juliet goes to back to her home and Capulet heads off to tell Paris the news.

Scene 3Back in her room, Juliet tells the Nurse she wants to be by herself tonight and says the same thing to her mother when she arrives. She holds the vial of potion that the Friar gave her and wonders what will happen to her when she drinks it. The Friar could have lied to her and given her poison to cover up his involvement, or if Romeo is late she could end up in the tomb alone and terrified. She sees what she thinks is Tybalt's ghost looking for Romeo and she asks his ghost to find Romeo. She drinks the potion.

Scene 4The Capulets are busy getting their house ready for the wedding. The Nurse is sent to wake Juliet,.

Scene 5The Nurse finds Juliet 'dead' and begins to shout and cry, with the Capulet parents joining her shortly. Paris comes with Friar Lawrence and they discover what has happened. The Friar reminds them all that Juliet has gone to heaven, and tells them to get ready for a funeral instead.

A group of musicians who had arrived for the wedding are getting ready to leave. Peter asks them to play a happy tune to make him feel better, but they refuse to do so, saying that at a time like this it would not be right. Peter begins to insult the musicians and they insult him back. Peter leaves and the musicians decide to wait around so they can get some lunch.

Key events (AO1)

Act 5

Scene 1

It is Wednesday morning and we are in Mantua. Romeo seems happy after a dream the night before we he found Juliet dead but she woke and kissed him and made him feel alive again. Balthasar, Romeo's servant, arrives. Romeo says to him that nothing in the world can be wrong if Juliet is right, but Balthasar says nothing can be wrong but Juliet is right... in heaven.

Romeo finds out that Juliet is 'dead'. He shouts, "I defy you, stars", and plans to head off back to Verona. He demands Balthasar gets him something to write on (he writes a letter to give to Lord Montague) and to get horses, saying he will go back to Verona tonight. Romeo asks Balthasar if he has a letter from the Friar, but he says he does not. Romeo heads to an apothecary (someone who sells drugs, a bit like a chemist or pharmacy). Romeo says he will pay a lot of money for poison.

The apothecary says selling poison in Mantua could see him being executed, but Romeo says he will take this risk because the apothecary is so poor. He agrees. Romeo says he will go to Juliet's tomb and kill himself.

Scene 2

Friar Lawrence speaks to Friar John, the messenger he sent to Mantua to give his letter to Romeo. Lawrence asks how Romeo felt about the letter. Friar John says he couldn't deliver the letter because he was kept in a quarantined house due to the plague being in Mantua. Friar Lawrence realises that if Romeo hasn't seen his letter and hears the news of Juliet's 'death' then he will think that Juliet has actually died.

Friar Lawrence gets a crowbar and says he will have to rescue Juliet by himself. He tries to send another letter to Romeo and hopes Romeo will come to his cell where he will keep Juliet until Romeo gets there.

Scene 3Paris is in the churchyard at night with a servant holding a touch. He tells the servant to go and starts putting flowers on Juliet's grave. His servant whistles in the background, a warning that someone is coming. Paris hides himself and sees Romeo arrive with a crowbar and Balthasar. Romeo says to Balthasar that he has come to open the Capulet tomb so he can get back a ring he had given to Juliet. He tells Balthasar to leave and in the morning to deliver a letter to Montague. Balthasar leaves, but decides to hide and watch what happens - he doesn’t believe what his master has told him. Paris knows who Romeo is - the man who killed Tybalt. He thinks Romeo has therefore killed Juliet indirectly given her enormous grief for Tybalt. Paris thinks Romeo has come back to hurt the corpses of either Tybalt or Juliet, given that he has been exiled from the city. Paris attacks Romeo, Romeo tells him to leave, but Paris refuses. They fight and Paris' servant runs off to get help. Romeo kills Paris and Paris asks that he be put near to Juliet in the tomb, which Romeo agrees to do. Romeo goes into the tomb with Paris' body.

He sees Juliet lying in state, wondering at her beauty and how she does not look dead at all. Romeo speaks to Juliet about how he will spend eternity with her. He kisses her and drinks the poison, kisses her again and then dies.

Friar Lawrence turns up and finds Balthasar, who says Romeo is in the tomb. The Friar enters the tomb and finds Paris' body, then Romeo's and then sees Juliet awake. Juliet asks the Friar where Romeo is. The Friar hears noises in the background and quickly says that both Romeo and Paris are dead and that she must leave now. Juliet refuses to do so, and the Friar decides to run away without Juliet. Juliet sees Romeo and realises he has killed himself.

She tries to drink some of the poison on his lips, but it doesn't work. She decides to take Romeo's dagger and stabs herself: "O happy dagger, / This is thy sheath." She dies on top of Romeo's body. The Watch (a kind of police force) enter and see all the blood in the tomb. They have arrested Balthasar and Friar Lawrence. The Prince and Capulet enter, as does Montague. He claims his wife has died over the grief she felt over Romeo's enforced exile.

Friar Lawrence is asked by the Prince to explain what happened and he tells quickly but carefully everything that happened and why. The Prince criticises both families, calling the tragedy a result of their feud and telling them he has lost two friends himself - Paris and Mercutio. Capulet and Montague shake hands and agree to end their fight. Montague says he will have a huge golden statue of Juliet constructed, and Capulet says he will build a golden statue of Romeo to go next to hers. They all leave to go and discuss what has happened, with the Prince saying there has never been "a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo".

Key charactersKey characters

Romeo MontagueJuliet CapuletTybalt CapuletMercutioThe NurseFriar LawrenceParisLord and Lady CapuletLord and Lady MontagueBenvolioThe ServantsMinor Characters

Romeo MontagueJuliet CapuletTybalt CapuletMercutioThe NurseFriar LawrenceParisLord and Lady CapuletLord and Lady MontagueBenvolioThe ServantsMinor Characters

Challenge: What happens to

them in the play?

Extra Challenge: What themes or

ideas does each character

represent? How?

Mega Challenge: Was

Shakespeare trying to

communicate a message to his

reader through each character?

Evaluate what it might have been

and why.

Challenge: What happens to

them in the play?

Extra Challenge: What themes or

ideas does each character

represent? How?

Mega Challenge: Was

Shakespeare trying to

communicate a message to his

reader through each character?

Evaluate what it might have been

and why.

10

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Ro

meo

Mo

nta

gue

One of the titular characters from the play, Romeo is a young member of the Montague family that has apparently fallen desperately in love with a local Verona girl called Rosaline. He spends a lot of his time moping around sycamore groves wishing Rosaline loved him. However, when he attends a party at the Capulet household (this family are his family’s bitter rivals, it’d be like a friend of Messi’s going to Ronaldo’s party), he sees Juliet Capulet – the daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet – and promptly falls in love with her. The two meet, kiss, discover they belong to enemy families, agree to meet in secret, agree to be married, get married and spend the next together in the timespan of a few days. Is this real love? Are they rushing into things? You decide.

Anyway, Romeo kills Juliet’s cousin Tybalt in a sudden flush of anger and is forced to live in exile in Mantua. His friend Friar Lawrence puts together a plan for Romeo to be able to run away with Juliet forever, but it goes horribly wrong. Romeo ends up killing himself thinking his wife is dead, Juliet kills herself after seeing her husband dead and their families agree to a truce after all this has taken place. If Romeo is a tragic hero, what is his ‘fatal flaw’? Is it that he is too keen to be in love? Is it that he allows his feelings for Juliet get in the way of his duties as a ‘man’? Or is he a victim of fate and a society that won’t let people live their own lives?

‘O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!It seems she hangs upon the cheek of nightAs a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear –Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!(Act 1 Scene 5)

But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.(Romeo, Act 2 Scene 1)

O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. (Romeo, Act 5 Scene 3)

FamilyYoung loveHonourDishonourMarriagePetrarchan loveDutyMasculinityFateFree WillIndividualSociety

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Julie

t C

apu

let

The other titular character, Juliet is a young member of the Capulet family that has never really thought of marriage before. After all, she is only 14. Like most Elizabethan noble women, she is expected to marry the man her parents choose for her and initially she seems to go along with this. However, after meeting Romeo she falls in love and quickly arranges to marry him before disaster strikes and Romeo ends up killing Tybalt out of revenge and family honour.

Juliet’s life gets a lot worse after her parents demand she marries a noble man called Paris, not knowing she has married Romeo in secret. Does she upset her family by revealing her dishonourable marriage? No, she keeps it secret and works with Friar Lawrence to come up with a somewhat complicated scheme to get her and Romeo away from Verona to live happily-ever-after. However, this is a tragedy and the plan fails.

Juliet takes her own life after discovering Romeo’s dead body next to her and her family agree to a truce with the Montagues. Juliet says to Romeo that she is worried he will think she is won over too easily. What do you think? Did she rush in or was she genuinely overpowered by love?

‘It is an honour that I dream not of.’ (Act 1 Scene 3)

‘My only love sprung from my only hate!Too early seen unknown, and known too late! (Act 1 Scene 5)

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my loveAnd I'll no longer be a Capulet. (Act 2 Scene 2

FamilyYoung loveHonourDishonourMarriagePetrarchan loveDutyGender rolesFateFree WillIndividualSociety

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Mer

cuti

o

Romeo’s friend and a source of comedy and humour, Mercutio is primarily used to make bawdy puns and mocks Romeo for his affected ‘love’ for Rosaline. He seems to represent very cynical views in Elizabethan society about love, but similarly is able to be quite deep and philosophical about the nature of reality (check out his pretty awesome ‘Queen Mab’ speech, if you’re into that sort of thing).

Mercutio is also a very important plot device as it is his downfall and death at the hands of Tybalt that fills Romeo with rage, reject his previous role as lover and attack with Tybalt – killing him in the process and setting the wheels of fate in motion until the end of the play.

A plague o' both your houses!(Act 3 Scene 1)

“True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy”(Act 1 Scene 4)

Reality vs DreamsFateFree WillFamilyHonourDishonourDutyIndividualSocietyComic relief

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Tyb

alt

Cap

ule

t

If Mercutio is the clown in this play then Tybalt is definitely the villain. In every scene he features in the play, he is angry, aggressive, confrontational and violent. He has a reputation for being an excellent swordsman, as explained by Mercutio, but he is very much a stock character, meaning he is quite one dimensional. He is therefore there to represent all the hate in society and how family honour can be tainted into something thoroughly unpleasant.

His death transforms the play from a possible comedy into an inevitable tragedy as fate’s ways of fortune work together to condemn Romeo and Juliet to death (we already know this will happen as the Prologue explained this at the start of the play). Ultimately, Mercutio’s death at the hands of Tybalt (although accidental) transforms Romeo from individual lover to familial soldier and therefore transforms the play, too.

“‘What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the wordAs I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.Have at thee, coward.’” (Act 1 Scene 1)

HonourDishonourViolenceAggressionDutyIdentityIndividualSocietyVillainyFamilyFateFree Will

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

The

Nu

rse

At first a friendly and comic figure in the play, the Nurse would fit well into any Shakespearean comedy. However, when Tybalt is killed by Romeo the Nurse is forced to make a choice: to serve her masters (Lord and Lady Capulet) or choose the young girl who she has pretty much raised as her own.

She goes with family duty over being an individual and as such isolates herself from Juliet. She might not seem like a very important character, but the Nurse serves as a symbol of the pressures family honour can have on anyone.

“Go, girl. Seek happy nights to happy days.” (Act 1 Scene 3)

FamilyHonourDutyIndividualSocietyComedy

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Fria

r La

wre

nce

The Friar plays a similar role to the Nurse but this time with Romeo rather than Juliet. He seems to act as a fatherly kind of figure in the absence of Romeo having any sort of relationship with his father. Does the Friar offer bad advice to Romeo by agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet in secret?

He seems to decide that this union will also help bring the two families together, but instead fate conspires to ensure much death and destruction can occur before this happens. He also decides to help Juliet, unlike the Nurse. Finally, at the end of the play he chooses to run away rather than face the consequences of his actions. The Friar is always a divisive character for students – what’s your opinion on him?

For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households' rancour to pure love.(Friar Lawrence, Act 2 Scene 2)

FamilyHonourDutyIndividualSocietyRealityReligion

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Ben

volio

Benvolio is a peacemaker, always looking for ways to prevent fights between the Montagues and the Capulets escalating and is respected by the Prince and as a result. He is asked to explain how fights broke out and what happened between Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo in Act 3 Scene 1. Despite his efforts, however, he cannot stop fate intervening.

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.The day is hot, the Capels abroad,And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl,For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. (Act 3 Scene 1)

FamilyDutyHonourIndividualSocietyPeaceFate

Character summary Key Quotes Associated themes or ideas:

Oth

er c

har

acte

rs

Lord and Lady Capulet / Lord and Lady Montague – They represent the traditional family values of the Elizabethan period and none of them help to ease the strain between the two families but instead actually make things worse. It is only through the sacrifices of their children are they able to find a way forward, but is erecting big statues of Romeo and Juliet actually going to achieve anything?

Paris – Representative of the nobles of Verona, Paris seems only interested in Juliet as a business proposition, yet his desire to be lain next to her body when he dies suggests he may have had real affection for her. Prince Escalus – Prince of Verona and a friend of both Mercutio and Paris. He grows tired of the violence in his city and puts in place strict punishments to prevent any more bloodshed. Sadly they do not work until it is too late.

Friar John - The Messenger who fails to deliver Friar Lawrence's important letter to Romeo.

Balthasar - Romeo's loyal servant.

Sampson and Gregory - Two servants from the Capulet House.

Abram - Montague's servant who fights with Sampson and Gregory.

The Apothecary - His poverty means he agrees to give Romeo poison, despite it being illegal in Mantua.

Abraham: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?Sampson: I do bite my thumb, sir.(Act 1 Scene 1)

Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch!I tell thee what: get thee to church o'Thursday, Or never after look me in the face. (Capulet, Act 3 Scene 5)

FamilyDutyLoyaltyMoralitySocietyIndividualFateFree Will

AQA English Literature Paper 1: Romeo and Juliet

In your first question you will be provided with a short extract from

Romeo and Juliet (it could be from anywhere in the text).

Your question will ask you to discuss a particular theme or character

shown in the extract and the rest of the play.

This means for your revision you need to:

•Know the plot of the play very well

•Know the characters very well

•Know key quotations for all the main characters and themes

•Be able to analyse quotations for language and to consider the

structure of the play•Understand the context of the play – including when it was written

and when it was set.

AQA English Literature Paper 1: Romeo and Juliet

In your first question you will be provided with a short extract from

Romeo and Juliet (it could be from anywhere in the text).

Your question will ask you to discuss a particular theme or character

shown in the extract and the rest of the play.

This means for your revision you need to:

•Know the plot of the play very well

•Know the characters very well

•Know key quotations for all the main characters and themes

•Be able to analyse quotations for language and to consider the

structure of the play•Understand the context of the play – including when it was written

and when it was set.

19

Section A: William Shakespeare

Answer one question from this section on your chosen text

Read this extract from Act 1 Scene 3 and then answer the

question. In this extract, The Nurse recalls a memory about

Juliet as a child.

Nurse

Even or odd, of all days in the year,Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!--Were of an age: well, Susan is with God;She was too good for me: but, as I said,On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;That shall she, marry; I remember it well.'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years;And she was wean'd,--I never shall forget it,--Of all the days of the year, upon that day:For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall;My lord and you were then at Mantua:--Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said,When it did taste the wormwood on the nippleOf my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug!Shake quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow,To bid me trudge:And since that time it is eleven years;For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood,She could have run and waddled all about;

For even the day before, she broke her brow:And then my husband--God be with his soul!A' was a merry man--took up the child:'Yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit;Wilt thou not, Jule?' and, by my holidame,The pretty wretch left crying and said 'Ay.'To see, now, how a jest shall come about!I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,I never should forget it: 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he;And, pretty fool, it stinted

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in this speech.• how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in the play as a whole. [30 marks]

Section A: William Shakespeare

Answer one question from this section on your chosen text

Read this extract from Act 1 Scene 3 and then answer the

question. In this extract, The Nurse recalls a memory about

Juliet as a child.

Nurse

Even or odd, of all days in the year,Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!--Were of an age: well, Susan is with God;She was too good for me: but, as I said,On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen;That shall she, marry; I remember it well.'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years;And she was wean'd,--I never shall forget it,--Of all the days of the year, upon that day:For I had then laid wormwood to my dug,Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall;My lord and you were then at Mantua:--Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said,When it did taste the wormwood on the nippleOf my dug and felt it bitter, pretty fool,To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug!Shake quoth the dove-house: 'twas no need, I trow,To bid me trudge:And since that time it is eleven years;For then she could stand alone; nay, by the rood,She could have run and waddled all about;

For even the day before, she broke her brow:And then my husband--God be with his soul!A' was a merry man--took up the child:'Yea,' quoth he, 'dost thou fall upon thy face?Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit;Wilt thou not, Jule?' and, by my holidame,The pretty wretch left crying and said 'Ay.'To see, now, how a jest shall come about!I warrant, an I should live a thousand years,I never should forget it: 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he;And, pretty fool, it stinted

Starting with this speech, explore how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet.Write about:• how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in this speech.• how Shakespeare presents The Nurse in the play as a whole. [30 marks]

Here’s an example AQA exam question for Section A:Here’s an example AQA exam question for Section A:

20

The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

At first the Nurse is a predominantly comedic character, retelling stories of Juliet’s childhood that are designed to provoke laughter from the watching audience. However, as Juliet’s secret marriage comes to threaten her family’s reputation, the Nurse supports Juliet’s parents’ desire for her to marry Paris. Because she is now in conflict with Juliet, the Nurse’s character becomes more divisive.

At first the Nurse is a predominantly comedic character, retelling stories of Juliet’s childhood that are designed to provoke laughter from the watching audience. However, as Juliet’s secret marriage comes to threaten her family’s reputation, the Nurse supports Juliet’s parents’ desire for her to marry Paris. Because she is now in conflict with Juliet, the Nurse’s character becomes more divisive.

Making Notes on the QuestionMaking Notes on the Question

Challenge: Create a detailed mind map of all the ways Shakespeare presents The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

Extra Challenge: Add quotations to each of your ideas to support your interpretations.

Mega Challenge: Evaluate how the Nurse is presented throughout

the play. Write an analysis of this in your exercise book.

Challenge: Create a detailed mind map of all the ways Shakespeare presents The Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

Extra Challenge: Add quotations to each of your ideas to support your interpretations.

Mega Challenge: Evaluate how the Nurse is presented throughout

the play. Write an analysis of this in your exercise book.

21

AO1: Key ideasThis speech from the Nurse gives the audience a real insight into her personality. It doesn’t really add anything to the plot and the whole story is pretty pointless in relation to the play, BUT it does show us the close relationship the Nurse has with Juliet. She looked after Juliet as she was growing up from a baby to a teenager.As the Nurse retells her story about Juliet as a child, she stumbles over her words and the details of what happened, repeating herself as well: “but, as I said, / On Lammas-eve” The repetition shows the Nurse loses her train of thought as she goes off on tangents before returning to her story. It makes her comedic and charming to the audience, but perhaps gives off class connotations to an Elizabethan audience. The noble characters like the Capulets and Montagues are always in control of their thoughts and words, using blank verse to speak as well. The Nurse adds in trivial and irrelevant information to her story as she continues: "Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said,“ Again, it warms the audience to her character. The Nurse quotes her husband and he refers to Juliet as 'Jule' suggesting a closeness between the Nurse and Juliet that does not exist between Juliet and her mother. The Nurse's husband made a quite bawdy and naughty joke about Juliet when he said: "Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?'" It is perhaps not the best joke to retell about your master's daughter in front of his wife but it does accentuate the warmness and closeness of Juliet to the Nurse.Students could look at how the Nurse betrays Juliet by encouraging her to marry Paris later in the play despite knowing she is already married to Romeo, how the Nurse helps Juliet to marry Romeo in secret, how she is presented when she meets with Romeo and Mercutio and her emotional response to finding Juliet ‘dead’ later in the play.

AO2: Analysis of language, structure and form“Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!—” Use of dashes shows how the memory is bringing back particular emotions of joy and happiness to the Nurse.The Nurse employs hyperbole to make her story more comedic for the audience: " I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, / I never should forget it“As previously mentioned, the Nurse repeats herself and her words as new memories and ideas come flooding back to her as she retells her story. She lacks the authority and control of her words and ideas that the noble and upper class characters have in the play.Students could also discuss how the Nurse keeps Juliet waiting for Romeo’s answer to her plan for marriage in Act 2 Scene 5 which is deliberately exaggerated as we as an audience know the Nurse’s answer but the dramatic irony around Juliet not knowing and getting increasingly exasperated at the Nurse delaying her response is increasingly comedic and amusing for the audience.

AO3: Linking to social and historical contextsElizabethan attitudes regarding family honour and family duty.Elizabethan attitudes around class and class structures.Elizabethan roles of the ‘wet nurse’ and parental duties of upper class and wealthy parents compared to modern societyHow characters of different classes are presented in Elizabethan dramas

AO1: Key ideasThis speech from the Nurse gives the audience a real insight into her personality. It doesn’t really add anything to the plot and the whole story is pretty pointless in relation to the play, BUT it does show us the close relationship the Nurse has with Juliet. She looked after Juliet as she was growing up from a baby to a teenager.As the Nurse retells her story about Juliet as a child, she stumbles over her words and the details of what happened, repeating herself as well: “but, as I said, / On Lammas-eve” The repetition shows the Nurse loses her train of thought as she goes off on tangents before returning to her story. It makes her comedic and charming to the audience, but perhaps gives off class connotations to an Elizabethan audience. The noble characters like the Capulets and Montagues are always in control of their thoughts and words, using blank verse to speak as well. The Nurse adds in trivial and irrelevant information to her story as she continues: "Nay, I do bear a brain:--but, as I said,“ Again, it warms the audience to her character. The Nurse quotes her husband and he refers to Juliet as 'Jule' suggesting a closeness between the Nurse and Juliet that does not exist between Juliet and her mother. The Nurse's husband made a quite bawdy and naughty joke about Juliet when he said: "Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?'" It is perhaps not the best joke to retell about your master's daughter in front of his wife but it does accentuate the warmness and closeness of Juliet to the Nurse.Students could look at how the Nurse betrays Juliet by encouraging her to marry Paris later in the play despite knowing she is already married to Romeo, how the Nurse helps Juliet to marry Romeo in secret, how she is presented when she meets with Romeo and Mercutio and her emotional response to finding Juliet ‘dead’ later in the play.

AO2: Analysis of language, structure and form“Susan and she--God rest all Christian souls!—” Use of dashes shows how the memory is bringing back particular emotions of joy and happiness to the Nurse.The Nurse employs hyperbole to make her story more comedic for the audience: " I warrant, an I should live a thousand years, / I never should forget it“As previously mentioned, the Nurse repeats herself and her words as new memories and ideas come flooding back to her as she retells her story. She lacks the authority and control of her words and ideas that the noble and upper class characters have in the play.Students could also discuss how the Nurse keeps Juliet waiting for Romeo’s answer to her plan for marriage in Act 2 Scene 5 which is deliberately exaggerated as we as an audience know the Nurse’s answer but the dramatic irony around Juliet not knowing and getting increasingly exasperated at the Nurse delaying her response is increasingly comedic and amusing for the audience.

AO3: Linking to social and historical contextsElizabethan attitudes regarding family honour and family duty.Elizabethan attitudes around class and class structures.Elizabethan roles of the ‘wet nurse’ and parental duties of upper class and wealthy parents compared to modern societyHow characters of different classes are presented in Elizabethan dramas

Some possible ideas in answer to this exam-style question:Some possible ideas in answer to this exam-style question:

Mark SchemeMark Scheme

AO Jargon-free criteria:

AO1 Understand and create responses to Romeo and Juliet

In your answer to any essay question you should:

• Create a style of writing that is able to critique the text, is informed but also personal to you.

• Include textual references which may be quotations so that they back up and support your ideas and interpretations.

AO2 Analyse how language, structure and form may have been used by Shakespeare to create effects on readers and create meaning for them, referring to subject key terms and terminology to support ideas.

AO3 Establish links between Romeo and Juliet and the worlds in which it was set and written.

AO4 Vocabulary, sentence structures, spelling and punctuation that all help to make your ideas clear.

Challenge: Read these

AOs carefully and

highlight any key words.

Extra Challenge: Write

down five success criteria

for getting an excellent

mark in your Romeo and

Juliet answer.

Mega Challenge: How will

you structure your

paragraphs to ensure you

are meeting the

assessment objectives

throughout your essay?

Challenge: Read these

AOs carefully and

highlight any key words.

Extra Challenge: Write

down five success criteria

for getting an excellent

mark in your Romeo and

Juliet answer.

Mega Challenge: How will

you structure your

paragraphs to ensure you

are meeting the

assessment objectives

throughout your essay?

23

Student self-reflection sheetStudent self-reflection sheet

AO1: Be able to analyse and evaluate a text and create

your own detailed response. This includes creating

your own personal ideas in a well-written essay and

using references and quotes to back up your ideas.

AO2: Analysing the use of language, structure and

form in the extracts you are given and the whole text

you have studied and revised for, looking at how these

areas are used to create meanings and effects for the

reader.

AO3: Show that you understand texts are not written or

studied in isolation – they link to historical and social

contexts, too.

1 12

1 12

1 6

2 - Simple 4 - Supported6 – Some explanation

8 – Clear, effective

10 – Thoughtful, developed

12 – Critical, exploratory

2 - Awareness 4 - Identification 6 – Explained8 – Clear explanation

10 –Examination

12 –Exploration

1 - Simple 2– Some awareness3 – Some understanding

4 – Clear understanding

5 – Thoughtful consideration

6 - Exploration

Use the easy-to-understand AOS to decide what mark you’d give yourself for your own essay. Shade in each of the three boxes and add up your score to get a mark out of 30.Use the easy-to-understand AOS to decide what mark you’d give yourself for your own essay. Shade in each of the three boxes and add up your score to get a mark out of 30.

Use your self-reflection here to find the mostimpressive part of your essay. Highlight this in one colour. On your essay make a note about why it is impressive. Try to use the words from this sheet.

Use your self-reflection here to find the mostimpressive part of your essay. Highlight this in one colour. On your essay make a note about why it is impressive. Try to use the words from this sheet.

WWW

Use your self-reflection here to find the least impressive part of your essay. Highlight this in another colour. On your essay make a note about how this section could be improved. Try to use the words from this sheet.

Use your self-reflection here to find the least impressive part of your essay. Highlight this in another colour. On your essay make a note about how this section could be improved. Try to use the words from this sheet.

EBI

PETAZL paragraphsPETAZL paragraphs• You might not have heard

of PETAZL paragraphs, but they are a good way of writing out analytical paragraphs.

• P = Point you are making

• E = “Evidence”

• T = Technique (Language)

• A = Analysis (Explanation)

• Z = Zoom (Zoom in on the quote)

• L = Link. Link back to the question.

• You might not have heard of PETAZL paragraphs, but they are a good way of writing out analytical paragraphs.

• P = Point you are making

• E = “Evidence”

• T = Technique (Language)

• A = Analysis (Explanation)

• Z = Zoom (Zoom in on the quote)

• L = Link. Link back to the question.

Question: Starting with this extract, how does Shakespeare present The Nurse?

Shakespeare shows The Nurse as being close emotionally to Juliet. When she reveals to Lady Capulet and the audience: “Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?’”, quoting her who uses the affectionate pet name ‘Jule’ and makes a bawdy joke to baby Juliet ‘that accentuates the closeness of the pair, particularly how Juliet spent a lot of her childhood with the Nurse, and how the Nurse is genuinely humoured and warmed by her memories that she is so desperate to get them out despite perhaps not being appropriate! Ultimately, the Nurse is shown to be a warm, affectionate and loving individual who treasures memories of Juliet as a child, almost as if she were her own daughter.

Question: Starting with this extract, how does Shakespeare present The Nurse?

Shakespeare shows The Nurse as being close emotionally to Juliet. When she reveals to Lady Capulet and the audience: “Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit; Wilt thou not, Jule?’”, quoting her who uses the affectionate pet name ‘Jule’ and makes a bawdy joke to baby Juliet ‘that accentuates the closeness of the pair, particularly how Juliet spent a lot of her childhood with the Nurse, and how the Nurse is genuinely humoured and warmed by her memories that she is so desperate to get them out despite perhaps not being appropriate! Ultimately, the Nurse is shown to be a warm, affectionate and loving individual who treasures memories of Juliet as a child, almost as if she were her own daughter.

Challenge: Write a PEAL paragraph.Extra Challenge: Write a PETAL paragraph.Mega Challenge: Write a PETAZL paragraph.Super Challenge: Write a PETAZL paragraph that uses three quotes on a common theme.

Challenge: Write a PEAL paragraph.Extra Challenge: Write a PETAL paragraph.Mega Challenge: Write a PETAZL paragraph.Super Challenge: Write a PETAZL paragraph that uses three quotes on a common theme.

FATE AND DESTINY

Key Quotations Extra Challenge: How does this quote fit into the theme? Mega Challenge: Why did Shakespeare use this quotation?

"O! I am Fortune's fool!" (3.1)

Romeo claims that he is ‘Fortune’s fool’ after he has killed Tybalt in anger and revenge for Mercutio’s death. Romeo knows that he is likely to be executed for Tybalt's death after the Prince proclaimed further violence in Verona would lead to executions. Because Romeo has only just got married, he feels he is made a fool by 'Fortune' or fate and destiny.

Fate and free will is a very important theme in the play. In the Prologue at the beginning of the play Romeo and Juliet are referred to as ‘star-cross'd lovers’, implying their destiny has already been decided. In this quotation Romeo personifies ‘Fortune’ (notice the capitalisation, that wouldn’t normally be there, it would be ‘fortune’). It was common in medieval morality plays to personify abstract ideas like Death and Love, and here Romeo suggests Fortune is mocking him, but ultimately he made the decision to kill Tybalt.

Revision Activity: Key Themes

Complete this table.

Now complete the tables for the following themes: Family, Honour, Love, Duty, Gender, Violence

Revision Activity: Key Themes

Complete this table.

Now complete the tables for the following themes: Family, Honour, Love, Duty, Gender, Violence

26

Historical Context

Challenge: Read

through the

historical context

information and

highlight all the key

parts that will be

helpful for your

revision.

Extra Challenge:

Annotate the

information on the

right, making notes

on how this helps

us to understand

the play better. Add

in parts of the play

that would be

helpful to talk about

in your exam

answer.

Mega Challenge:

Go back and add

some of this

information to your

exam-style answer.

Historical Context

Challenge: Read

through the

historical context

information and

highlight all the key

parts that will be

helpful for your

revision.

Extra Challenge:

Annotate the

information on the

right, making notes

on how this helps

us to understand

the play better. Add

in parts of the play

that would be

helpful to talk about

in your exam

answer.

Mega Challenge:

Go back and add

some of this

information to your

exam-style answer.

27

Shak

esp

eare

an

d h

is s

ou

rces

o

f in

spir

atio

n

Like many of Shakespeare's work the playwright took elements of plot and character from other established works from other writers and adapted them for his own purposes. In 1562, over 30 years before we think Romeo and Juliet was written, Arthur Brookes' 'The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet' was published. It is believed he translated his poem from an Italian novella by Matteo Bandello. Shakespeare also took inspiration from 'Palace of Pleasure' by William Painter and the classical tale of Pyramus and Thisbe from Ovid's Metamorphoses. However, Shakespeare uses basic elements from these sources to create his own work that looks at themes of young love, violence, family, honour, individual vs. society, fate and more. Shakespeare wrote plays in both the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods (Romeo and Juliet being an Elizabeth play), where marriage for those in the nobility was more like a business transaction than anything to do with love.

Eliz

abet

han

love

an

d m

arri

age

Marriages were focused on finance and were arranged between families so both sides would benefit. Marriages were arranged to bring either wealth or prestige to a family, or sometimes both. Outside of the nobility, many families married their children off to neighbours’ or friends’ children. The lower down in society you were, essentially the more choice you had in who you could marry. Many couples would not meet each other until their actual wedding day. Women in Elizabethan times – as well as men – were expected to marry. To remain single would mean becoming an outcast and be perceived as a ‘witch’. Most women would bring a dowry with them into a marriage. This could be in the form of money, land, property or goods. The law meant that women effectively became the property of their husbands after marriage, with the female partner expected to look after the household and raise their children. In the Elizabethan period, it was legal for boys to marry from the age of 14 and girls from the age of 12, so long as they had parental permission, but many men would not marry usually until the age of 21. Most marriages in non-noble families did not occur until the early or late twenties, but in noble families it would be much younger out of political necessity (for example: securing alliances between families). Wedding ceremonies would always take place in a church and were religious in nature, with the ceremony being very serious and very solemn. A wedding feast involving both families would normally take place after the ceremony in the family’s home.

Divorce was virtually impossible in the Elizabethan age: in Protestant England one needed to obtain an Act of Parliament to legally sanction a divorce! So what was Shakespeare trying to tell us about love and marriage in his time period? Should Romeo and Juliet not rushed in and instead married who their parents wanted them to? Were they right in following their hearts and dying for each other rather than accepting what society wanted to impose on them? These are ideas for you to discuss and argue. What do you think?

The

Pet

rarc

han

love

r

During the Elizabethan period the concept of a 'Petrarchan lover' was very popular and very common to the point of being cliche and a little bit lame by this point in time. It basically means someone who is over-the-top, melodramatic, self-consciously suffering and has surrendered his 'manliness' to his love. Shakespeare seems to be mocking this kind of person at the beginning of his play, with Romeo's hyperbolic proclamations of love for Rosaline, which are quickly dropped in favour of Juliet (apparently, he had not loved until he’d seen her!) But does Romeo behave any differently when around Juliet? Is his love for her real or is he still playing the role of a Petrarchan lover? It's something you to think about and make up your own conclusions. Petrarch was a famous Italian poet from the 14th century and he was known for his love sonnets. I guess it’d be a bit like trying to use Paul McCartney’s ‘Silly Little Love’ songs to woo your girlfriend or boyfriend. If you don’t know this song, ask your mum or dad. I am sorry in advance.

Here is a collection of key quotations from across the playHere is a collection of key quotations from across the playGo through the quotations and break them down into different themes. Make notes on which themes they belong to and why.

Go through the quotations and break them down into different themes. Make notes on which themes they belong to and why.

28

Family

Honour

Fate and Destiny

Dreams

Love

Gender

Violence

Individual v Society

The PrologueThe Prologue

29

PROLOGUE

Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

PROLOGUE

Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;

Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents' strife.Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents' strife.

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ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

I do bite my thumb, sir.

ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON

I do bite my thumb, sir.

ABRAHAM

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

TYBALT

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?

Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

BENVOLIO

I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword,Or manage it to part these men with me.

TYBALT

What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:Have at thee, coward!

TYBALT

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?

Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

BENVOLIO

I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword,Or manage it to part these men with me.

TYBALT

What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:Have at thee, coward!

PRINCEIf ever you disturb our streets again,Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

PRINCEIf ever you disturb our streets again,Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

MONTAGUE to Benvolio about RomeoMany a morning hath he there been seen,With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew.

MONTAGUE to Benvolio about RomeoMany a morning hath he there been seen,With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew.

ROMEO to BenvolioWhy, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!O any thing, of nothing first create!

ROMEO to BenvolioWhy, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!O any thing, of nothing first create!

CAPULET to ParisMy child is yet a stranger in the world;She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,

CAPULET to ParisMy child is yet a stranger in the world;She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,

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THE NURSEI never should forget it: 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he;And, pretty fool, it stinted and said 'Ay.'

THE NURSEI never should forget it: 'Wilt thou not, Jule?' quoth he;And, pretty fool, it stinted and said 'Ay.'

JULIET

I'll look to like, if looking liking move:But no more deep will I endart mine eyeThan your consent gives strength to make it fly.

JULIET

I'll look to like, if looking liking move:But no more deep will I endart mine eyeThan your consent gives strength to make it fly.

LADY CAPULETThis is the matter:--Nurse, give leave awhile,We must talk in secret:--nurse, come back again;I have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel.

LADY CAPULETThis is the matter:--Nurse, give leave awhile,We must talk in secret:--nurse, come back again;I have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel.

LADY CAPULET How stands your disposition to be married?

JULIET

It is an honour that I dream not of.

LADY CAPULET How stands your disposition to be married?

JULIET

It is an honour that I dream not of.

Nurse

A man, young lady! lady, such a manAs all the world--why, he's a man of wax.

Nurse

A man, young lady! lady, such a manAs all the world--why, he's a man of wax.

ROMEOIn bed asleep, while they do dream things true.

MERCUTIOO, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.

ROMEOIn bed asleep, while they do dream things true.

MERCUTIOO, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.

MERCUTIOThis is she--

ROMEOPeace, peace, Mercutio, peace!Thou talk'st of nothing.

MERCUTIOThis is she--

ROMEOPeace, peace, Mercutio, peace!Thou talk'st of nothing.

MERCUTIO

True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,

MERCUTIO

True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,

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CAPULETGo to, go to;You are a saucy boy: is't so, indeed?This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what:You must contrary me! marry, 'tis time.Well said, my hearts! You are a princox; go:Be quiet, or--More light, more light! For shame!I'll make you quiet. What, cheerly, my hearts!

CAPULETGo to, go to;You are a saucy boy: is't so, indeed?This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what:You must contrary me! marry, 'tis time.Well said, my hearts! You are a princox; go:Be quiet, or--More light, more light! For shame!I'll make you quiet. What, cheerly, my hearts!

ROMEOI fear, too early: for my mind misgivesSome consequence yet hanging in the starsShall bitterly begin his fearful dateWith this night's revels and expire the termOf a despised life closed in my breastBy some vile forfeit of untimely death.

ROMEOI fear, too early: for my mind misgivesSome consequence yet hanging in the starsShall bitterly begin his fearful dateWith this night's revels and expire the termOf a despised life closed in my breastBy some vile forfeit of untimely death.

ROMEO after seeing JulietO, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!It seems she hangs upon the cheek of nightLike a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

ROMEO after seeing JulietO, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!It seems she hangs upon the cheek of nightLike a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.

TYBALTNow, by the stock and honour of my kin,To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

TYBALTNow, by the stock and honour of my kin,To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.

TYBALTI will withdraw: but this intrusion shallNow seeming sweet convert to bitter gall.

TYBALTI will withdraw: but this intrusion shallNow seeming sweet convert to bitter gall.

ROMEO[To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest handThis holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready standTo smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

ROMEO[To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest handThis holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready standTo smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

JULIETGood pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,Which mannerly devotion shows in this;For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

JULIETGood pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,Which mannerly devotion shows in this;For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

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ROMEOSin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!Give me my sin again.

JULIETYou kiss by the book.

ROMEOSin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!Give me my sin again.

JULIETYou kiss by the book.

ROMEOIs she a Capulet?O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.

ROMEOIs she a Capulet?O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.

Nurse

His name is Romeo, and a Montague;The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET

My only love sprung from my only hate!Too early seen unknown, and known too late!Prodigious birth of love it is to me,That I must love a loathed enemy.

Nurse

His name is Romeo, and a Montague;The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET

My only love sprung from my only hate!Too early seen unknown, and known too late!Prodigious birth of love it is to me,That I must love a loathed enemy.

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ROMEOSee, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!O, that I were a glove upon that hand,That I might touch that cheek!

ROMEOSee, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!O, that I were a glove upon that hand,That I might touch that cheek!

ROMEO

Can I go forward when my heart is here?Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.

ROMEO

Can I go forward when my heart is here?Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.

BENVOLIO

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,To be consorted with the humorous night:Blind is his love and best befits the dark.

BENVOLIO

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees,To be consorted with the humorous night:Blind is his love and best befits the dark.

ROMEOBut, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

ROMEOBut, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

JULIETO Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,And I'll no longer be a Capulet..

JULIETO Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?Deny thy father and refuse thy name;Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,And I'll no longer be a Capulet..

JULIETO, be some other name!What's in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet;

JULIETO, be some other name!What's in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet;

JULIETBut to be frank, and give it thee again.And yet I wish but for the thing I have:My bounty is as boundless as the sea,My love as deep; the more I give to thee,The more I have, for both are infinite.

JULIETBut to be frank, and give it thee again.And yet I wish but for the thing I have:My bounty is as boundless as the sea,My love as deep; the more I give to thee,The more I have, for both are infinite.

Act 2Act 2

35

FRIAR LAURENCEFor this alliance may so happy prove,To turn your households' rancour to pure love.

FRIAR LAURENCEFor this alliance may so happy prove,To turn your households' rancour to pure love.

ROMEO

With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no;I have forgot that name, and that name's woe.

ROMEO

With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no;I have forgot that name, and that name's woe.

ROMEO

Then plainly know my heart's dear love is setOn the fair daughter of rich Capulet:

ROMEO

Then plainly know my heart's dear love is setOn the fair daughter of rich Capulet:

FRIAR LAURENCEHoly Saint Francis, what a change is here!Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,So soon forsaken? young men's love then liesNot truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

FRIAR LAURENCEHoly Saint Francis, what a change is here!Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear,So soon forsaken? young men's love then liesNot truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.

Nurse

By my troth, it is well said; 'for himself to mar,'quoth a'? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where Imay find the young Romeo?

ROMEO

I can tell you; but young Romeo will be older whenyou have found him than he was when you sought him:I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.

Nurse

By my troth, it is well said; 'for himself to mar,'quoth a'? Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where Imay find the young Romeo?

ROMEO

I can tell you; but young Romeo will be older whenyou have found him than he was when you sought him:I am the youngest of that name, for fault of a worse.

JULIET

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;In half an hour she promised to return.

JULIET

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;In half an hour she promised to return.

JULIET

No, no: but all this did I know before.What says he of our marriage? what of that?

Nurse

Lord, how my head aches! what a head have I!

JULIET

No, no: but all this did I know before.What says he of our marriage? what of that?

Nurse

Lord, how my head aches! what a head have I!

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36

Nurse

Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell;There stays a husband to make you a wife:

Nurse

Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell;There stays a husband to make you a wife:

FRIAR LAURENCE

These violent delights have violent ends

FRIAR LAURENCE

These violent delights have violent ends

Act 3Act 3

37

BENVOLIO

By my head, here come the Capulets.

MERCUTIO

By my heel, I care not.

BENVOLIO

By my head, here come the Capulets.

MERCUTIO

By my heel, I care not.

TYBALT

Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,--

MERCUTIO

Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? anthou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing

butdiscords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shallmake you dance. 'Zounds, consort!

TYBALT

Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,--

MERCUTIO

Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? anthou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing

butdiscords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shallmake you dance. 'Zounds, consort!

TYBALT

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can affordNo better term than this,--thou art a villain.

ROMEO

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love theeDoth much excuse the appertaining rageTo such a greeting: villain am I none;Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.

TYBALT

Romeo, the hate I bear thee can affordNo better term than this,--thou art a villain.

ROMEO

Tybalt, the reason that I have to love theeDoth much excuse the appertaining rageTo such a greeting: villain am I none;Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.

TYBALT

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuriesThat thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

ROMEO

I do protest, I never injured thee,But love thee better than thou canst devise,Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:And so, good Capulet,--which name I tenderAs dearly as my own,--be satisfied.

TYBALT

Boy, this shall not excuse the injuriesThat thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.

ROMEO

I do protest, I never injured thee,But love thee better than thou canst devise,Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:And so, good Capulet,--which name I tenderAs dearly as my own,--be satisfied.

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MERCUTIO

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!Alla stoccata carries it away.

DrawsTybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?

MERCUTIO

O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!Alla stoccata carries it away.

DrawsTybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?

ROMEO

Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons.Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hathForbidden bandying in Verona streets:Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!

TYBALT under ROMEO's arm stabs MERCUTIO, and flies with his followers

MERCUTIO

I am hurt.A plague o' both your houses! I am sped.Is he gone, and hath nothing?

ROMEO

Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons.Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hathForbidden bandying in Verona streets:Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!

TYBALT under ROMEO's arm stabs MERCUTIO, and flies with his followers

MERCUTIO

I am hurt.A plague o' both your houses! I am sped.Is he gone, and hath nothing?

MERCUTIO

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as achurch-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask forme to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

MERCUTIO

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as achurch-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask forme to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

ROMEOO sweet Juliet,Thy beauty hath made me effeminateAnd in my temper soften'd valour's steel!

ROMEOO sweet Juliet,Thy beauty hath made me effeminateAnd in my temper soften'd valour's steel!

MERCUTIO

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as achurch-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask forme to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

MERCUTIO

No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as achurch-door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve: ask forme to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.

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39

JULIET

O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!Despised substance of divinest show!Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st,A damned saint, an honourable villain!O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell,When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiendIn moral paradise of such sweet flesh?Was ever book containing such vile matterSo fairly bound? O that deceit should dwellIn such a gorgeous palace!

JULIET

O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave?Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb!Despised substance of divinest show!Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st,A damned saint, an honourable villain!O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell,When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiendIn moral paradise of such sweet flesh?Was ever book containing such vile matterSo fairly bound? O that deceit should dwellIn such a gorgeous palace!

Nurse

Will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin?

JULIET

Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?

Nurse

Will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin?

JULIET

Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?

Nurse

Hie to your chamber: I'll find RomeoTo comfort you: I wot well where he is.Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night:I'll to him; he is hid at Laurence' cell.

JULIET

O, find him! give this ring to my true knight,And bid him come to take his last farewell.

Nurse

Hie to your chamber: I'll find RomeoTo comfort you: I wot well where he is.Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night:I'll to him; he is hid at Laurence' cell.

JULIET

O, find him! give this ring to my true knight,And bid him come to take his last farewell.

ROMEO

Ha, banishment! be merciful, say 'death;'For exile hath more terror in his look,Much more than death: do not say 'banishment.'

ROMEO

Ha, banishment! be merciful, say 'death;'For exile hath more terror in his look,Much more than death: do not say 'banishment.'

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ROMEOThou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe,And smilest upon the stroke that murders me.

ROMEOThou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe,And smilest upon the stroke that murders me.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold thy desperate hand:Art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art:Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denoteThe unreasonable fury of a beast:Unseemly woman in a seeming man!Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hold thy desperate hand:Art thou a man? thy form cries out thou art:Thy tears are womanish; thy wild acts denoteThe unreasonable fury of a beast:Unseemly woman in a seeming man!Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both!

JULIET

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

JULIET

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

JULIET

It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away!It is the lark that sings so out of tune,Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps.

JULIET

It is, it is: hie hence, be gone, away!It is the lark that sings so out of tune,Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps.

JULIET

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

JULIET

Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day:It was the nightingale, and not the lark,That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree:Believe me, love, it was the nightingale.

JULIET

O, how my heart abhorsTo hear him named, and cannot come to him.To wreak the love I bore my cousinUpon his body that slaughter'd him!

JULIET

O, how my heart abhorsTo hear him named, and cannot come to him.To wreak the love I bore my cousinUpon his body that slaughter'd him!

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LADY CAPULET

Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn,The gallant, young and noble gentleman,The County Paris, at Saint Peter's Church,Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.

JULIET

Now, by Saint Peter's Church and Peter too,He shall not make me there a joyful bride..

LADY CAPULET

Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn,The gallant, young and noble gentleman,The County Paris, at Saint Peter's Church,Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.

JULIET

Now, by Saint Peter's Church and Peter too,He shall not make me there a joyful bride..

JULIETI will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear,It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,Rather than Paris.

JULIETI will not marry yet; and, when I do, I swear,It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,Rather than Paris.

LADY CAPULET

Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word:Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.

Exit.

LADY CAPULET

Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word:Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.

Exit.

CAPULET

Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday,Or never after look me in the face:

CAPULET

Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday,Or never after look me in the face:

JULIET

Upon so soft a subject as myself!What say'st thou? hast thou not a word of joy?Some comfort, nurse.

Nurse

Faith, here it is.Romeo is banish'd; and all the world to nothing,That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you;Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth.Then, since the case so stands as now it doth,I think it best you married with the county.O, he's a lovely gentleman!

JULIET

Upon so soft a subject as myself!What say'st thou? hast thou not a word of joy?Some comfort, nurse.

Nurse

Faith, here it is.Romeo is banish'd; and all the world to nothing,That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you;Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth.Then, since the case so stands as now it doth,I think it best you married with the county.O, he's a lovely gentleman!

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JULIET

Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much.Go in: and tell my lady I am gone,Having displeased my father, to Laurence' cell,To make confession and to be absolved.

Nurse

Marry, I will; and this is wisely done.

Exit

JULIET

Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much.Go in: and tell my lady I am gone,Having displeased my father, to Laurence' cell,To make confession and to be absolved.

Nurse

Marry, I will; and this is wisely done.

Exit

JULIETAncient damnation! O most wicked fiend!Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn,Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongueWhich she hath praised him with above compareSo many thousand times? Go, counsellor;Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain.I'll to the friar, to know his remedy:If all else fail, myself have power to die.

Exit

JULIETAncient damnation! O most wicked fiend!Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn,Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongueWhich she hath praised him with above compareSo many thousand times? Go, counsellor;Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain.I'll to the friar, to know his remedy:If all else fail, myself have power to die.

Exit

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PARIS

Come you to make confession to this father?

JULIET

To answer that, I should confess to you.

PARIS

Do not deny to him that you love me.

JULIET

I will confess to you that I love him.

PARIS

Come you to make confession to this father?

JULIET

To answer that, I should confess to you.

PARIS

Do not deny to him that you love me.

JULIET

I will confess to you that I love him.

PARIS

God shield I should disturb devotion!Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye:Till then, adieu; and keep this holy kiss.

Exit

JULIET

O shut the door! and when thou hast done so,Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past

help!

PARIS

God shield I should disturb devotion!Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye:Till then, adieu; and keep this holy kiss.

Exit

JULIET

O shut the door! and when thou hast done so,Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past

help!

FRIAR LAURENCETake thou this vial, being then in bed,And this distilled liquor drink thou off;

FRIAR LAURENCETake thou this vial, being then in bed,And this distilled liquor drink thou off;

JULIET

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,That almost freezes up the heat of life:I'll call them back again to comfort me:Nurse! What should she do here?My dismal scene I needs must act alone.

JULIET

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins,That almost freezes up the heat of life:I'll call them back again to comfort me:Nurse! What should she do here?My dismal scene I needs must act alone.

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JULIETCome, vial.What if this mixture do not work at all?Shall I be married then to-morrow morning?No, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there.

JULIETCome, vial.What if this mixture do not work at all?Shall I be married then to-morrow morning?No, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there.

Nurse

O woe! O woful, woful, woful day!Most lamentable day, most woful day,That ever, ever, I did yet behold!O day! O day! O day! O hateful day!Never was seen so black a day as this:O woful day, O woful day!

Nurse

O woe! O woful, woful, woful day!Most lamentable day, most woful day,That ever, ever, I did yet behold!O day! O day! O day! O hateful day!Never was seen so black a day as this:O woful day, O woful day!

JULIETO, look! methinks I see my cousin's ghostSeeking out Romeo, that did spit his bodyUpon a rapier's point: stay, Tybalt, stay!Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee.

She falls upon her bed, within the curtains

JULIETO, look! methinks I see my cousin's ghostSeeking out Romeo, that did spit his bodyUpon a rapier's point: stay, Tybalt, stay!Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee.

She falls upon her bed, within the curtains

CAPULET

All things that we ordained festival,Turn from their office to black funeral;Our instruments to melancholy bells,Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast,Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change,Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse,And all things change them to the contrary.

CAPULET

All things that we ordained festival,Turn from their office to black funeral;Our instruments to melancholy bells,Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast,Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change,Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse,And all things change them to the contrary.

Act 5Act 5

45

ROMEO For nothing can be ill, if she be well.

BALTHASAR

Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:Her body sleeps in Capel's monument,

ROMEO For nothing can be ill, if she be well.

BALTHASAR

Then she is well, and nothing can be ill:Her body sleeps in Capel's monument,

ROMEO

Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!

ROMEO

Is it even so? then I defy you, stars!

Apothecary

Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua's lawIs death to any he that utters them..

Apothecary

Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua's lawIs death to any he that utters them..

ROMEOO mischief, thou art swiftTo enter in the thoughts of desperate men!I do remember an apothecary,--

ROMEOO mischief, thou art swiftTo enter in the thoughts of desperate men!I do remember an apothecary,--

ROMEOCome, cordial and not poison, go with meTo Juliet's grave; for there must I use thee.

ROMEOCome, cordial and not poison, go with meTo Juliet's grave; for there must I use thee.

FRIAR JOHN

I could not send it,--here it is again,--Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,So fearful were they of infection.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,The letter was not nice but full of chargeOf dear import, and the neglecting itMay do much danger. Friar John, go hence;Get me an iron crow, and bring it straightUnto my cell.

FRIAR JOHN

I could not send it,--here it is again,--Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,So fearful were they of infection.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,The letter was not nice but full of chargeOf dear import, and the neglecting itMay do much danger. Friar John, go hence;Get me an iron crow, and bring it straightUnto my cell.

Act 5Act 5

46

BALTHASAR

[Aside] For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

Retires

BALTHASAR

[Aside] For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

Retires

PARISStop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!Can vengeance be pursued further than death?Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee:Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.

PARISStop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!Can vengeance be pursued further than death?Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee:Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!Thou desperate pilot, now at once run onThe dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!Here's to my love!

DrinksO true apothecary!Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

Dies

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!Thou desperate pilot, now at once run onThe dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!Here's to my love!

DrinksO true apothecary!Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

Dies

PARIS

O, I am slain!

FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.

Dies

PARIS

O, I am slain!

FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.

Dies

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.

Exit FRIAR LAURENCE

JULIET

Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.

Exit FRIAR LAURENCE

Act 5Act 5

47

BALTHASAR

[Aside] For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

Retires

BALTHASAR

[Aside] For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout:His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.

Retires

PARISStop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!Can vengeance be pursued further than death?Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee:Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.

PARISStop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!Can vengeance be pursued further than death?Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee:Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!Thou desperate pilot, now at once run onThe dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!Here's to my love!

DrinksO true apothecary!Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

Dies

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!Thou desperate pilot, now at once run onThe dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!Here's to my love!

DrinksO true apothecary!Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

Dies

PARIS

O, I am slain!

FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.

Dies

PARIS

O, I am slain!

FallsIf thou be merciful,Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.

Dies

JULIET

Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!

Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;

Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die.

Falls on ROMEO's body, and dies

JULIET

Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!

Snatching ROMEO's daggerThis is thy sheath;

Stabs herselfthere rust, and let me die.

Falls on ROMEO's body, and dies

Act 5Act 5

48

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand:This is my daughter's jointure, for no moreCan I demand.

MONTAGUE

But I can give thee more:For I will raise her statue in pure gold;That while Verona by that name is known,There shall no figure at such rate be setAs that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo's by his lady's lie;Poor sacrifices of our enmity!

CAPULET

O brother Montague, give me thy hand:This is my daughter's jointure, for no moreCan I demand.

MONTAGUE

But I can give thee more:For I will raise her statue in pure gold;That while Verona by that name is known,There shall no figure at such rate be setAs that of true and faithful Juliet.

CAPULET

As rich shall Romeo's by his lady's lie;Poor sacrifices of our enmity!

PRINCE

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:For never was a story of more woeThan this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Exeunt

PRINCE

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head:Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished:For never was a story of more woeThan this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Exeunt