1. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Review for Unit Exam English 9R Mrs. Hartmann

2. William Shakespeare  We read Shakespeare for: –His use of poetic devices (oxymoron, simile, metaphors, etc.) –His understanding of human nature (he really gets to the heart of the situation) –His excellence of expression in language

3. Themes  There are forces in life which people have no control over.  Even well-intended secrets can be destructive.  Wisdom and knowledge can be gained from a tragic experience.

4. In the Prologue, the chorus states:  “Two household, 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.”  The prologue also tells us we will be reading about two “star-crossed lovers.”

5. When the play opens:  We know that the Montague and Capulet families have been feuding for several years.  How does Prince Escalus react to this fighting? What is his warning?

6. Act I  Romeo is acting depressed in Act I because Rosaline will not return his love.  Benvolio, one of Romeo’s closest friends and a peacemaker, suggests that Romeo find a new love to forget about Rosaline.  Romeo does not believe he will ever forget Rosaline.

7. Act I (continued)  We learn that Paris wants to marry Juliet.  Romeo finds out about the Capulets’ party and wants to attend.  Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio crash the Capulets’ party. Tybalt recognizes them and wants to duel, but Capulet stops him  Romeo meets Juliet and they fall in love at first sight.

8. Act II  Act II is home to the famous balcony scene. Romeo compares Juliet to the sun and swears on the moon to love her forever.  Juliet doesn’t want him to swear on the moon because it is inconstant.  Juliet says they should get married (secretly of course).

9. Act II (continued)  Mercutio and Benvolio think Romeo is off looking for Rosaline, but we know the truth.  Romeo trusts Friar Laurence and asks for his help with the marriage. Juliet trusts the Nurse and asks for her assistance.  The secret plan works and Romeo and Juliet get married!

10. Act III  Tybalt is looking for Romeo, but Romeo doesn’t want to fight Tybalt because he was just married and is now related to Tybalt.  Tybalt kills Mercutio. Mercutio’s dying words include a curse on both families. Romeo then kills Tybalt and is banished by Prince Escalus. Romeo blames Juliet for Mercutio’s death because he feels her beauty has made him weak.

11. Act III (continued)  The nurse tells Juliet about Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo and Juliet defends Romeo.  Friar Laurence is upset that Romeo is acting so feminine and asks him to step up and be a man. He says he has a plan. In the meantime, Romeo goes to Juliet and they secretly spend a night together. Before they say goodbye, it seems that Romeo and Juliet’s farewell is marked with a premonition of death.

12. Act IV  Paris makes arrangements with the Friar to be married to Juliet, but the Friar has other plans for Juliet. He gives her a potion to make her seem dead and promises her that Romeo will wake her up within 42 hours from the Capulet tomb.  Friar Laurence plans to send word to Romeo about this plan.

13. Act IV (continued)  Juliet is scared to drink the potion, but she does and is found “dead” the next morning.  When Lord Capulet sees the “dead” Juliet, he says that death is her husband.

14. Act V  Balthasar tells Romeo about Juliet’s death. Romeo is distraught and goes to buy fast-acting poison at an apothecary so he can die by her side.  Paris goes to the Capulet tomb to give Juliet flowers and grieve her death. Romeo shows up, Paris thinks he is up to no good, and they duel. Romeo kills Paris.

15. Act V (continued)  Juliet wakes up and sees what has happened. Friar Laurence has a plan to help Juliet, but she doesn’t want to live without Romeo. She kills herself.  Capulet and Montague come to the tomb and realize the consequences of their fighting. Lord Capulet extends his hand in friendship, and Montague accepts.

16. Who said it?  “Then, I defy you, stars!”  “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”  “For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancor to pure love.”

17. Who said it?  “ Arise, fair sun and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief that her maid art more beautiful than she. ”  “Me thinks I see thee, now thou art below, as one dead in the bottom of a tomb.”

18. Who said it?  “If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”  “A plague on both your houses!”  “O, I am slain! If thou be merciful, open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.”

19. Quotes to know…  “From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”  “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin this fearful date.”  “My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!”  “He jests at scars that never felt a wound.”

20. Terms to know  Oxymoron  Simile  Alliteration  Irony  Personification  Foreshadowing

21. The End Hard work pays off. Study.