1. Revision Guide for Literature Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet
The exam question will always ask you to focus on an extract and to include your whole play knowledge
How can I revise?
Use this booklet to help you and use the information in your exercise book on the play.
Use your KO sheet and make sure you are 100% happy with the approaches to these tasks.
Make sure you have actively learnt quotes from the play and understand how to embed context.
Contents – Romeo and Juliet
Analysis reminder & comparison connectives
Place Mats to help with planning tasks
Each poem with specific revision tasks & questions to help you
Some practice essay questions to use with the planning mat or to attempt as revision

2. Revision Guide for the Romeo and Juliet- Literature Analysis Tips & Exercises
What you should/could cover in your analysis – RED Minimum, ORANGE Most, GREEN Some (You know which you can aim to include) Not all of the steps need to be completed for each quote you select!
Link to the question (RED) and say why you think it links
Link to context
Link to the terminology (Lang/Structure – evaluating choice) (ORANGE)
Short Quote(s) (RED)
Explain meaning and effect – both obvious and hidden (explicit and implicit) (RED)
Zoom in on words/explore connotations and effect (ORANGE)
Suggest what other readers might think/feel (offering an alternative opinion) (GREEN)
Link to the writer’s intentions (step out from the close analysis to give an overview of meaning) (GREEN)
Explore a linking quote/supporting idea (GREEN)
Always give an understanding of what is actually happening in the play at the point you are talking about.
Always include context in your essay.
Avoid seeing context as something you add last. It needs to be embedded into the learning.
Make sure that you know what happens when and who is involved. Knowing this is as important as remembering lots of quotes.
Use the Shakespeare essay help mat on the next page to guide you.

3. Romeo & Juliet Extract & Essay Answer
Intro – link to the question. Explain which 3 events in the play you will focus on. Create a thesis statement that explores how you will answer the question.
Idea 1: Link to the extract and link out to a a scene from the play to explore (with quotes) and context.
Repeat with Idea 2
choose a 2nd range of quotes from the extract and scene from the play to explore with context embedded and quotes.
Repeat with Idea 3
choose quotes from the extract and a scene from the play to explore with context and quotes.
Conclude – Short summary of points that show the question is answered.
Romeo & Juliet Extract & Essay Answer
AQA Literature Place Mat.
Plan your essay here;
Intro
Link to question:
Link to a minimum of 3 ideas:
Idea 1
Extract & scene/quotes with context &
language/struct link
Idea 2
Idea 3
Conclude
Summary of points made in the essay that show you have answered the question
Exploring the quotes:
Link to the question
Link to the terminology
Link to the context which relates specifically to your ideas around the quote/play scene
Link to quote(s) or the moment – paraphrase what happens in this section of the play
Explore the hidden and obvious meaning
Zoom in on the words
Explore the effect
What were the writers’ intentions
Terminology: soliloquy; individual speech by the character, dramatic irony; audience is more aware than the characters, repetition; ideas/words phrases repeated, metaphor; comparison of something as something else, hyperbole; use of exaggeration for effect, imagery; creating a picture in the mind of the reader, simile; comparison using like or as, dialogue; the speech of characters (think, length, tone, pace)…

4. EXTRACT & ESSAY COMBINED
ROMEO & JULIET CORE KNOWLEDGE – Y11 AQA
SKILLS
Analysis Points:
Link to the question
Link to the terminology (Lang/Structure – evaluating choice)
Short Quote(s)
Explain meaning and effect – both obvious and hidden (explicit and implicit)
Zoom in on words/explore connotations and effect
Suggest what other readers might think/feel (offering an alternative opinion)
Link to the writer’s intentions (step out from the close analysis to give an overview of meaning)
Explore a linking quote/supporting idea
Context
Patriarchy -
Women not as
important as men
Law – no justice system like we have today instead the class system hierarchy was responsible for keeping the peace
Greek Tragedy – Use of a chorus in the prologue to narrate events
Courtly Love – a love that was not returned – often love letters would be sent to a lady who did not reciprocate
Fate - is from the work of a
Roman scholar named Boethius who influenced Shakespeare Allusions/Greek Mythology – Several Greek myths are referenced throughout the play
Arthur Brook’s poem inspired the play
The Renaissance – was a time of significant change in the fields of religion, politics, science, language and the arts
Act & Theme
Key Moments
Prologue: Love, Civil War, Fate Conflict
Exposition of feud between Montagues and Capulets. Love story & deaths of Romeo & Juliet revealed .
Act 1: Civil War, Conflict Law, Fate, Patriarchy
Family Relationship
Servants of both houses fight in the street. Prince breaks it up. Paris asks to marry Juliet. Nurse reveals this to Juliet & we see their close bond. Romeo argues against going to the ball. R&J meet & fall in love at the Capulet Ball. Tybalt recognises Romeo & wants to fight. Lord Capulet stops him.
Act 2: Civil War, Conflict Law , Fate, Patriarchy,
Chorus inform of the futile love. Romeo abandons his friends & jumps into Capulet’s orchard. Balcony scene – they confess their love & arrange to marry. Friar Laurence agrees to marry R&J. Tybalt challenges Romeo. Nurse acts as messenger regarding the wedding. They marry in secret.
Act 3: Civil war, Cnflict, Death, Love, Religion, Law, Fate, Patriarchy, Family Relationship
Mercutio & Tybalt fight. Tybalt kills Mercutio. In anger Romeo kills Tybalt. Prince banishes Romeo to Mantua. First the lovers spend the night together. Juliet is distraught about Romeo being banished. Capulet agrees to Paris & Juliet marrying. Juliet refuses to marry him. The nurse says she should.
Act 4: Fate, Love, Death, Patriarchy, Family Relationship
Friar plans to give Juliet sleeping drug. Juliet agrees to marry Paris. Takes the drug. Everyone thinks she is dead (Nurse finds her).
Act 5: Death, Fate, Conflict, Family Relationships, Love, Law, Religion, Patriarchy,
Romeo doesn’t receive a letter about the Friar’s plan. He hears she is dead. Buys poison. Friar Laurence sends another letter. Romeo arrives at the tomb. Kills Paris. Drinks poison. Juliet awakes to find Romeo dead. Juliet stabs herself. The families are brought together in grief.
Vocabulary
Definition
Unrequited love
Love which is felt by one person, but not returned
Patriarchy
Society dominated by males who rule over females
Masculinity
Traits relating to being stereotypically male
Impulsive
Acting/doing something without thinking
Loyalty
Having a strong feeling of support or allegiance
Audience
Spectators or listeners
Wisdom
Quality of having good judgement/being wise
Justice
Fair treatment or behaviour
Rebellion
Armed resistance to a government or the laws
Marriage
Formal union of two persons in the eyes of god
Aggression
Anger which results in aggressive behaviour
Maternal
Feelings which are related to being a mother
Societal expectation
Social normalities relating to the time
Morbid
An interest in death and disease
Futile
pointless
Terminology
Definition
Tragedy
Form of the play exploring tragic events & downfall of character
Dramatic Irony
where the audience are more aware of the action happening than the characters
Soliloquy
an individual character in a play speaking their thoughts out loud to the audience
Protagonists
The main character who propels the action forward
Celestial Imagery
Images relating to heaven
Oxymoron
using two opposing terms together, that normally contradict each other
Juxtaposition
Placing contrasting ideas close together in a text
Foreshadowing
a hint or suggestion of what might happen later in the story
Emotive Language
Language which creates an emotion in the reader
Connotations/ Zooming in
Implied or suggested meanings of a word or phrases
Hyperbole
use of extremely exaggerated terms for emphasis
Puns
Joke exploiting the possible different meanings of a word
EXAM REQUIREMENTS
EXTRACT & ESSAY COMBINED
ESSAY ON ROMEO & JULIET: Intro – link to the question with overview of meaning. Explain which events in the play you will focus on. Extract Focus – explore what the extract means using supporting quotes and link to the question Idea 1 - choose a moment from the play to explore with quotes & context Idea 2 - choose a 2nd moment from the play to explore with quotes & context - Idea 3 - choose a moment from the play to explore with quotes & context - Idea 4 – choose a moment to explore with quotes and context
Conclude – Short summary of points
INCLUDE CONTEXT

5. Quotes & Technique & Brief Analysis
Character
Quotes & Technique & Brief Analysis
ROMEO – Main Protagonist
“In sadness, cousin, I do love a women” Act1:1 – juxtaposition Romeo swooning and pining for Rosaline. “Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,” Act 2 Metaphor to show his rejection of Rosaline in favour of Juliet. “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls,” Act 2:2” Celestial Imagery to show he is linked to God and the heavens. “O I am Fortune’s fool” Act 3:1 –Metaphor/ Alliteration. Cursing fate after he has killed Tybalt. “Death hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.” Act 5:3 Imagery to show that death hasn’t changed Juliet’s appearance yet – Shakespeare is playing with the audience here. ”Thus with a kiss I die” Act 5:3 statement first person – he dies
JULIET – Main Protagonist
“You kiss by the book” Act 1:5 – metaphor – falling in love with Romeo. “My only love sprung from my only hate” Act 1:5 – juxtaposition/Oxymoron – Realising Romeo’s family.  “What’s in a name? That which we call any rose would smell as sweet.” Act 2:2 –metaphor –Juliet questioning Romeo’s family names importance.  “Methinks I see thee now, thou art so low, as are dead in the bottom of the tomb” Act 3:5 –Juliet has a vision of Romeo lying dead. “Proud I can never be of what I hate” Act 3:5 – Juliet saying to her father that she cannot be proud of being paired with Paris. “O happy dagger –let me die!”Act 5:3–Personification – Juliet before she kills herself.
TYBALT – Cousin to Juliet - Antagonist
“What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” –Act 1:1 –Repetition – Tybalt showing his primary character trait of loving fighting.“This, by his voice, should be a Montague.— Fetch me my rapier, boy.” Act 1:5 Tybalt recognises Romeo who has gatecrashed the party and wants to attack him.  “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.” Act 3:5 – Metaphor – Tybalt emphasising how he feels damaged by Romeo’s behaviour, and is determined to fight.
LORD CAPULET – Juliet’s father
“What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!” Act 1:1 – Capulet keen to join in the fighting “And, to say truth, Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth.” – Act 1:5 –Adjectives - At Capulet’s party, he admits that Romeo is an honourable, young man. “hang thee, young baggage.” –Act 3:5 – adjectives - Capulet insulting Juliet.
NURSE – Capulet household
“What lamb? What Ladybird! God forbid, where’s this girl? What Juliet?” – Act 1: 3 – Rhetorical questions - nurse calling Juliet to speak to her mother. “I am so vexed that every part about me quivers.” – Act 2:4 adjectives hyperbole – the nurse is angry about the way Romeo and his friends are speaking to her. “She’s dead decease’d, she’s dead, she’s dead!” – Act 4:5 Repetition –alerts Lady Capulet to Juliet’s pretend death
FRIAR LAURENCE – unaffiliated
“For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households rancour to pure love.” A2:3 poetic/hopeful tone – FL agrees to marry R&J hoping it stops the fighting . “O Juliet, I already know thy grief,” Act 4:1 – compassionate tone, connotations, showing FL is aware of how Juliet feels about marrying Paris and that he is complicit in her possible bigamy if she does marry Paris.  “Come, I’ll dispose of thee among a sisterhood of Nuns.” Act 5:3 Friar Laurence plotting even at the end to try and help Juliet escape the marriage to Paris, even when the sleeping drug plan goes wrong.
LADY CAPULET – Juliet’s mum
“Wll think of marriage now; younger than you,” Act 1:3 – cajoling tone – questioning – LC is trying to persuade Juliet to marry Paris. “You are too hot.” – Act 3:5 short sentence - telling her husband not to be so angry with Juliet. “O woeful time!” Act 4:5 exclamation mark, adjective, despairing tone – LC just learnt of her daughter’s death.
LORD MONTAGUE
With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew” Act 1: 1 – metaphor to show he is worried about Romeo. “Who set this new quarrel abroach?” Act 1:1 – Rhetorical question to find out how the fight started. “For I will raise her statue in pure gold,” Act 5:3 hyperbole, persuasion – Montague assures Capulet he’ll erect a gold statue in her memory
MERCUTIO –Romeo’s friend Antagonist
“Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance” Act 1:4 Imperative ‘must’ persuading Romeo to go to the ball.
“O calm, vile dishonourable submission” Act 3:1 – Adjectives – Mercutio not understanding why Romeo is cowardly and backing down from a fight with Tybalt. “A plague a’both your houses!” Act 3: 1 -Metaphor blaming both the Montagues and the Capulets and wishing them the most unpleasant death. Related to the Prince
BENVOLIO – Romeo’s ousin
“I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword,” Appeasing tone. Short sentence – to show he doesn’t want to fight.  “I’ll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.” hyperbole/exaggeration, alliteration to show he is loyal to Romeo.  “Go then, for tis in vain/To seek him here” A2:2 – Imperative – leaving Romeo after ball in Juliet’s orchard
PARIS – unaffiliated – Love interest
“Younger than she are happy mothers made” –Act 1:2 – Paris trying to persuade Capulet to allow him to take Juliet as his wife. “That ‘may be’ must be, love, on Thursday next.” – Act 4:1 –Modal into an Imperative. Paris speaking to Juliet about marrying her on Thursday. “O, I am slain! If thou be merciful, open the tomb, lay me with Juliet” –Act 5:3 Paris dying & hoping to be buried alongside Juliet. He isn’t.
PRINCE – unaffiliated - Peacemaker
“If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” –Act 1:1 – The Prince saying that execution will result for future fighting. “Let Romeo hence in haste, else when he is found, that hour is his last” Act 3:1 –Prince banishes Romeo. If he returns he will be executed. “Capulet, Montague! See what a scourge is laid upon your hate…All are punished.” Act 5:3 –Prince blaming the heads of both families for the deaths of their children.

6. Criticise: The families.
Transform:
Describe the story of the prologue. What happens, what do you think and feel about being told the main events in the play and why?
Consider:
The structure of the prologue – sonnet form – use of iambic pentameter – Greek chorus. What does it suggest about the play and the main protagonists?
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 foes  A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;  Whole misadventured piteous overthrows  Do with their death bury their parents' strife.  The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,  And the continuance of their parents' rage,  Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,  Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;  The which if you with patient ears attend,  What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Criticise: The families.
Explain how (with quotes) both families could be blamed for the untimely deaths of Romeo and Juliet?
Prioritise:
Theme Links – What are your top 3 theme links for the play thinking about the prologue and why?

7. How might a contemporary audience now feel? Prioritise:
Transform: Power is a social construct – explore the elements of power that the Prince calls upon in his monologue.
Consider:
Place
Power
Law
People
What could you say about these elements in relation to the Prince’s speech?
Act 1 Scene 1
Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his train
PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his escort.
PRINCE
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,
Profaners of this neighbor-stainèd steel!—
Will they not hear?—What, ho! You men, you beasts,
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins,
On pain of torture, from those bloody hands
Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground,
And hear the sentence of your movèd prince.
Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets
And made Verona’s ancient citizens
Cast by their grave-beseeming ornaments,
To wield old partisans in hands as old,
Cankered with peace, to part your cankered hate.
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.
For this time, all the rest depart away.
You, Capulet, shall go along with me,
And, Montague, come you this afternoon
To know our farther pleasure in this case,
To old Free-town, our common judgment-place.
Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
Criticise: The Prince.
How might a Shakesperean audience have reacted to this heavy-handed laying down of the law?
How might a contemporary audience now feel?
Prioritise:
Vocabulary choices by the Prince.
How do we know the Prince is angry with the two feuding families?
Rank the vocabulary used to show this feeling.

8. Challenge this statement
Transform: Summarise the advice that Benvolio is giving to Romeo
Plan your transform task:
Consider: What was Romeo saying literally, metaphorically & symbolically?
What can we learn about Romeo from this exchange?
What kind of impression are we getting of him?
Act 1 Scene 1
BENVOLIO Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?
ROMEO She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste, For beauty starved with her severity Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, To merit bliss by making me despair: She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now.
BENVOLIO Be ruled by me, forget to think of her.
ROMEO O, teach me how I should forget to think.
BENVOLIO By giving liberty unto thine eyes; Examine other beauties.
ROMEO 'Tis the way To call hers exquisite, in question more: These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows Being black put us in mind they hide the fair; He that is strucken blind cannot forget The precious treasure of his eyesight lost: Show me a mistress that is passing fair, What doth her beauty serve, but as a note Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair? Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
BENVOLIO I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.
Exeunt
Prioritise: Choose your top five quotes from the scene and explode them with:
Meaning/Effect
Exploration of the context that links & why
Zooming in on a word in the quote
Use triplets to develop your ideas
Focus on context
Exploration of the connotations
Criticise: “Benvolio is too good, too kind and too forgiving of Romeo”
Challenge this statement

9. Challenge or support this statement using the poem
Transform: Imagine Paris was asking Juliet instead of her father. What would the dialogue look like?
Consider: How could this show consideration towards Juliet as a woman in her own right?
ACT I SCENE II
A street.
Enter CAPULET, PARIS, and Servant.
CAPULET
But Montague is bound as well as I,
In penalty alike; and 'tis not hard, I think,
For men so old as we to keep the peace.
PARIS
Of honourable reckoning are you both;
And pity 'tis you lived at odds so long.
But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
But saying o'er what I have said before:
My child is yet a stranger in the world;
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,
Let two more summers wither in their pride,
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
Younger than she are happy mothers made.
And too soon marr'd are those so early made.
The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she,
She is the hopeful lady of my earth:
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,
My will to her consent is but a part;
An she agree, within her scope of choice
lies my consent and fair according voice.
This night I hold an old accustom'd feast,
Whereto I have invited many a guest,
Such as I love; and you, among the store,
One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
At my poor house look to behold this night
Criticise: “Paris is overconfident of his position in life and uses this to assume he will marry Juliet”
Challenge or support this statement using the poem
Prioritise: What do you think of these male characters in the play.
What does Paris want and how does he intend to get it?
What is Capulet’s wishes and how does he show them?

10. LADY CAPULET
Marry, that 'marry' is the very theme
I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,
How stands your disposition to be married?
JULIET
It is an honour that I dream not of.
Nurse
An honour! were not I thine only nurse,
I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat.
Well, think of marriage now; younger than you,
Here in Verona, ladies of esteem,
Are made already mothers: by my count,
I was your mother much upon these years
That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.
A man, young lady! lady, such a man
As all the world--why, he's a man of wax.
Verona's summer hath not such a flower.
Nay, he's a flower; in faith, a very flower.
What say you? can you love the gentleman?
This night you shall behold him at our feast;
Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face,
And find delight writ there with beauty's pen;
Examine every married lineament,
And see how one another lends content
And what obscured in this fair volume lies
Find written in the margent of his eyes.
This precious book of love, this unbound lover,
To beautify him, only lacks a cover:
The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride
For fair without the fair within to hide:
That book in many's eyes doth share the glory,
That in gold clasps locks in the golden story;
So shall you share all that he doth possess,
By having him, making yourself no less.
No less! nay, bigger; women grow by men.
Transform: Write a diary entry from Juliet’s perspective about how she feels to hear that she is to consider marrying Paris at the tender age of 14.
LADY CAPULET
Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love?
JULIET
I'll look to like, if looking liking move:
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.
Act 1 Scene 3
Consider:
Juliet, Lady Capulet and The Nurse’s relationship. What do we learn from this scene?
Prioritise: Choose your top five quotes from this part of the play and explode them with:
Meaning/Effect
Exploration of the context that links & why
Zooming in on a word in the quote
Use triplets to develop your ideas
Focus on context
Exploration of the connotations
Criticise: Lady Capulet makes marriage sound like an easy, quick undertaking.
Is this the case? Why might Juliet feel apprehensive?

11. Write out the problem Mercutio is trying to solve with Romeo.
ACT 1 SCENE 4
MERCUTIO Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.
ROMEO Not I, believe me: you have dancing shoes With nimble soles: I have a soul of lead So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.
MERCUTIO You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, And soar with them above a common bound.
ROMEO I am too sore enpierced with his shaft To soar with his light feathers, and so bound, I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe: Under love's heavy burden do I sink.
MERCUTIO And, to sink in it, should you burden love; Too great oppression for a tender thing.
ROMEO Is love a tender thing? it is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.
MERCUTIO If love be rough with you, be rough with love; Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in: A visor for a visor! what care I What curious eye doth quote deformities? Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me.
BENVOLIO Come, knock and enter; and no sooner in, But every man betake him to his legs.
Consider:
How is Mercutio presented?
Is he wise or rash?
Is he patient or impatient?
Say how and why?
Transform:
Write out the problem Mercutio is trying to solve with Romeo.
Examine:
How is repetition used to reinforce Romeo’s heartbreak?
Is it realistic that he’d feel so downhearted?
Prioritise:
The reference to Cupid. How can this be used to develop context?

12. Challenge this statement
Act 1 Scene 5
ROMEO O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like 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.
(Tybalt speaking to Capulet about Romeo gatecrashing the party)…
ROMEO [To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
JULIET Good 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.
ROMEO Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
JULIET Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
ROMEO O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do; They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
JULIET Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
Transform:
Write a story to explore the celestial imagery in this scene.
Plan your transform task:
ROMEO Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
JULIET Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
ROMEO Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.
JULIET You kiss by the book.
Consider:
How is masculinity presented in the play here? What does this suggest about Romeo’s character?
Prioritise:
Select 10 quotes and rank order them in terms of showing the most love towards Juliet.
Explain why you have rank ordered them in this way.
Criticise: Owen could be seen to criticise more than the weather in this poem
Challenge this statement

13. How would you describe both Romeo and Juliet at this point?
Transform: What is the chorus telling the audience here and why is this important?
Consider:
Romeo’s quick change of heart. What does this tell you about his character?
How would you describe both Romeo and Juliet at this point?
(Enter Chorus)
Chorus Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir; That fair for which love groan'd for and would die, With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair. Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike betwitched by the charm of looks, But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks: Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear; And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new-beloved any where: But passion lends them power, time means, to meet Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.
(Exit)
Prioritise:
What is the purpose of this prologue?
Explore:
How does this foreshadow later events in the play?

14. Explore this statement in relation to this scene
Transform:
How are certain ideas being represented?
Create a picture of the recurring ideas shown from earlier in the play in this section. (trees, cupid, isolation etc.)
Consider: What does love actually look like?
Is Shakespeare commenting on the reality of a love?
How do Benvolio and Mercutio react to Romeo’s lovesick behaviour?
What is the context that links to love in R&J and why?
Act 2 Scene 1
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.
MERCUTIO If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. Now will he sit under a medlar tree, And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone. Romeo, that she were, O, that she were An open et caetera, thou a poperin pear! Romeo, good night: I'll to my truckle-bed; This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep: Come, shall we go?
BENVOLIO Go, then; for 'tis in vain To seek him here that means not to be found.
Prioritise:
Choose all the stereotypical depictions of love and explain why Shakespeare presents these in the play.
Criticise: “Romeo is rash, unwise and negligent in his behaviour”
Explore this statement in relation to this scene

15. The idea of love – how love is shown here?
Transform:
Dual code this scene – choose quotes from this extract and link these to images – can be drawn, copied and pasted or symbols. Choose symbols/pictures that help you remember the significance of this soliloquy
ACT 2 SCENE 2
ROMEO He jests at scars that never felt a wound.
(JULIET appears above at a window)
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady, O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were! She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that? Her eye discourses; I will answer it. I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!
JULIET Ay me!
Consider:
The idea of love – how love is shown here?
What is Romeo like? How do you know?
How does he describe Juliet?
Discuss: This is an extended metaphor.
What is it about and how do you know?
Prioritise:
Select – your top 5 quotes from this soliloquy
Demonstrate – your understanding of the way context can be linked to these 5 quotes

16. How is the Friar presented here? Choose evidence to support your ideas
Explore:
How is the Friar presented here? Choose evidence to support your ideas
Consider: Being in the church– What emotions/feelings and experience might you have?
What would your life be like?
What would it have been like in Shakespeare time?
Is this similar or different to today?
ACT 2 SCENE 3
FRIAR LAURENCE The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels: Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry, I must up-fill this osier cage of ours With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers. The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb; What is her burying grave that is her womb, And from her womb children of divers kind We sucking on her natural bosom find, Many for many virtues excellent, None but for some and yet all different. O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities: For nought so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give, Nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse: Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; And vice sometimes by action dignified. Within the infant rind of this small flower Poison hath residence and medicine power: For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, slays all senses with the heart. Two such opposed kings encamp them still In man as well as herbs, grace and rude will; And where the worser is predominant, Full soon the canker death eats up that plant.
Criticise:
Friar Laurence is a man of the church. Is this evident here?
Explore this opinion with evidence from the soliloquy.
Discuss:
The context linked to religion and the church at the time. The way the monarchs ruled and decided on the religion of the state and how this influenced ordinary people.

17. Transform:
Translate the extended metaphor in the poem into an easier to understand translation.
Why does she use an abstract extended metaphor in the poem?
Is it philosophical?
Consider:
The references to other texts and myths. What do they tell us about the characters and their actions?
ACT 2 Scene 4
MERCUTIO The pox of such antic, lisping, affecting fantasticoes; these new tuners of accents! 'By Jesu, a very good blade! a very tall man! a very good whore!' Why, is not this a lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers, these perdona-mi's, who stand so much on the new form, that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, their bones, their bones!
(Enter ROMEO)
BENVOLIO Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo.
MERCUTIO Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh, how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his lady was but a kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better love to be-rhyme her; Dido a dowdy; Cleopatra a gipsy; Helen and Hero hildings and harlots; Thisbe a grey eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior Romeo, bon jour! there's a French salutation to your French slop. You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night.
ROMEO Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit did I give you?
MERCUTIO The ship, sir, the slip; can you not conceive?
ROMEO Pardon, good Mercutio, my business was great; and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy.
Explore:
The listing in the speech
The use of repetition
The tone of Mercutio’s speech
What do these show us about the characters?
Prioritise:
Indicate why Mercutio is annoyed with Romeo?
Indicate what Romeo’s response shows?

18. JULIET I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well
JULIET I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love?
Nurse Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous,—Where is your mother?
JULIET Where is my mother! why, she is within; Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest! 'Your love says, like an honest gentleman, Where is your mother?'
Nurse O God's lady dear! Are you so hot? marry, come up, I trow; Is this the poultice for my aching bones? Henceforward do your messages yourself.
JULIET Here's such a coil! come, what says Romeo?
Nurse Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day?
JULIET I have.
Nurse Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; There stays a husband to make you a wife: Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks, They'll be in scarlet straight at any news. Hie you to church; I must another way, To fetch a ladder, by the which your love Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark: I am the drudge and toil in your delight, But you shall bear the burden soon at night. Go; I'll to dinner: hie you to the cell.
JULIET Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.
(Exeunt)
Consider: Your own identity – how is it constructed and which country do you identify as belonging to.
Imagine you are no longer allowed in your country. How would that impact on you and your identity?
ACT 2 Scene 5
Transform: Imagine you are the narrator observing this scene.
Explain what you actually see and what it suggests about the Juliet and the Nurse?
Criticise: ‘The nurse is too quick to condone the impetuous actions of Juliet’
How far would you agree with this in relation to this scene?
Link:
Other scenes where the nurse is too quick to do Juliet’s bidding and explore how the nurse is a willing aid to Juliet’s youthful impulses.

19. The Civil War in the play.
Transform:
Imagine you were young, in love and getting married against the wishes of your parents. Write about the feelings of different people?
Consider:
The Civil War in the play.
What does Friar Laurence hope will happen by his meddling in the affairs of the heart?
ACT 2 SCENE 6
JULIET Good even to my ghostly confessor.
FRIAR LAURENCE Romeo shall thank thee, daughter, for us both.
JULIET As much to him, else is his thanks too much.
ROMEO Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue Unfold the imagined happiness that both Receive in either by this dear encounter.
JULIET Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, Brags of his substance, not of ornament: They are but beggars that can count their worth; But my true love is grown to such excess I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth.
FRIAR LAURENCE Come, come with me, and we will make short work; For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone Till holy church incorporate two in one.
(Exeunt)
Prioritise:
Staging:
Why does the marriage take place off stage? What effect does this have? How does this link to the secrecy of the act? Is this a deliberate decision by Shakespeare? Why?
Criticise:
Friar Laurence.
Why is he so keen to support this marriage?

20. (Enter TYBALT and others)
TYBALT Follow me close, for I will speak to them. Gentlemen, good den: a word with one of you.
MERCUTIO And but one word with one of us? couple it with something; make it a word and a blow.
TYBALT You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you will give me occasion.
MERCUTIO Could you not take some occasion without giving?
TYBALT Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,--
MERCUTIO Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? an thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall make you dance. 'Zounds, consort!
BENVOLIO We talk here in the public haunt of men: Either withdraw unto some private place, And reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.
MERCUTIO Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I.
(Enter ROMEO)
TYBALT Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man.
MERCUTIO But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery: Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower; Your worship in that sense may call him 'man.'
TYBALT Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford No better term than this,--thou art a villain.
Transform:
Into a emotion time line – What emotions are being shown and where in this scene?
Who is in a heightened state of emotion?
Act 3 Scene 1
Consider:
The Volta in this scene. How is this scene a catalyst for the downfall of our tragic hero and heroine?
Criticise:
The concept of fighting.
How does the fighting in R&J lead to disaster, dismay and exclusion?
Prioritise:
Events – Select four events from prior to this point that suggest this was an inevitable conclusion for Tybalt and Romeo and Mercutio.

21. Into a series of symbols showing Juliet’s changing emotions.
ACT 3 Scene 2
Nurse Ah, well-a-day! he's dead, he's dead, he's dead! We are undone, lady, we are undone! Alack the day! he's gone, he's kill'd, he's dead!
JULIET Can heaven be so envious?
Nurse Romeo can, Though heaven cannot: O Romeo, Romeo! Who ever would have thought it? Romeo!
JULIET What devil art thou, that dost torment me thus? This torture should be roar'd in dismal hell. Hath Romeo slain himself? say thou but 'I,' And that bare vowel 'I' shall poison more Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice: I am not I, if there be such an I; Or those eyes shut, that make thee answer 'I.' If he be slain, say 'I'; or if not, no: Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe.
Nurse I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes,— God save the mark!—here on his manly breast: A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse; Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub'd in blood, All in gore-blood; I swounded at the sight.
JULIET O, break, my heart! poor bankrupt, break at once! To prison, eyes, ne'er look on liberty! Vile earth, to earth resign; end motion here; And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier!
Nurse O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had! O courteous Tybalt! honest gentleman! That ever I should live to see thee dead!
Transform:
Into a series of symbols showing Juliet’s changing emotions.
Why is she in a heightened state of emotion?
Consider:
Juliet’s confusion.
What does this show about her age, maturity and preoccupation at this point in the play?
Criticise:
The concept of love and death.
What does Juliet’s reaction show regarding her loyalty?
Examine:
The language used.
What does it show and why?

22. Transform:
Into a father to son talk. Imagine Friar Laurence says everything he is thinking to Romeo. What would he tell him?
Act 3 Scene 3
FRIAR LAURENCE A gentler judgment vanish’d from his lips, Not body’s death, but body’s banishment.
ROMEO Ha, banishment! be merciful, say ‘death;’ For exile hath more terror in his look, Much more than death: do not say ‘banishment.’
FRIAR LAURENCE Hence from Verona art thou banished: Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.
ROMEO There is no world without Verona walls, But purgatory, torture, hell itself. Hence-banished is banish’d from the world, And world’s exile is death: then banished, Is death mis-term’d: calling death banishment, Thou cutt’st my head off with a golden axe, And smilest upon the stroke that murders me.
FRIAR LAURENCE O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! Thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince, Taking thy part, hath rush’d aside the law, And turn’d that black word death to banishment: This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.
Consider:
The Friar in this scene.
What do you think of him and why?
What is his role?
How is he wise?
Does he give good counsel?
Criticise:
The concept of banishment.
How is banishment a just punishment for a death?
Or, is it unjust?
Justify your reasoning.
Prioritise:
Romeo as a character – give a short summary of how he is presented up to this point in the play. Track the changes to his personality/behaviour.

23. ACT 3 Scene 4 Consider: Being told you are marrying in two days time.
How would you feel?
What would you do?
Would this be acceptable today?
Was it acceptable then?
How does it link to Patriarchy at the time?
ACT 3 Scene 4
Transform: Imagine you are Juliet observing this scene.
What would she be thinking?
CAPULET Monday! ha, ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon, O’ Thursday let it be: o’ Thursday, tell her, She shall be married to this noble earl. Will you be ready? do you like this haste? We’ll keep no great ado,–a friend or two; For, hark you, Tybalt being slain so late, It may be thought we held him carelessly, Being our kinsman, if we revel much: Therefore we’ll have some half a dozen friends, And there an end. But what say you to Thursday?
PARIS My lord, I would that Thursday were to-morrow.
CAPULET Well get you gone: o’ Thursday be it, then. Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed, Prepare her, wife, against this wedding-day. Farewell, my lord. Light to my chamber, ho! Afore me! it is so very very late, That we may call it early by and by. Good night.
Exeunt
Criticise: The speed at which Capulet now wants to marry Juliet off to Paris.
What is the rush?
Link:
Other examples of Juliet being ordered to do what men tell her.

24. Romeo and Juliet were caught. What impact would this have? Consider:
Imagine:
Romeo and Juliet were caught. What impact would this have?
ACT 3 SCENE 5
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.
ROMEO It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east: Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
JULIET Yon light is not day-light, I know it, I: It is some meteor that the sun exhales, To be to thee this night a torch-bearer, And light thee on thy way to Mantua: Therefore stay yet; thou need’st not to be gone.
ROMEO Let me be ta’en, let me be put to death; I am content, so thou wilt have it so. I’ll say yon grey is not the morning’s eye, ‘Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia’s brow; Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat The vaulty heaven so high above our heads: I have more care to stay than will to go: Come, death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so. How is’t, my soul? let’s talk; it is not day.
Consider:
The Bird Imagery.
Look up and explore the links to nightingales and larks.
What do they signify and why has Shakespeare used these?
Discuss: The imagery linking to birds and light.
Why is this important? What has happened off stage and how does this link to their tragic end?
Prioritise:
Select – your top 5 quotes from this scene
Demonstrate – your understanding of the way context can be linked to these 5 quotes

25. How is Paris presented here?
Explore:
How is Paris presented here?
Consider: Being in a position of authority and using this wrongfully.
How would you feel about being caught?
What would you do to avoid this?
ACT 4 SCENE 1
PARIS Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death, And therefore have I little talk’d of love; For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous That she doth give her sorrow so much sway, And in his wisdom hastes our marriage, To stop the inundation of her tears; Which, too much minded by herself alone, May be put from her by society: Now do you know the reason of this haste.
FRIAR LAURENCE [Aside] I would I knew not why it should be slow’d. Look, sir, here comes the lady towards my cell.
Enter JULIET
PARIS Happily met, my lady and my wife!
JULIET That may be, sir, when I may be a wife.
PARIS That may be must be, love, on Thursday next.
JULIET What must be shall be.
FRIAR LAURENCE That’s a certain text.
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.
Criticise:
Friar Laurence is a man of the church. However he is complicit in lying and cheating to allow Juliet to marry Romeo – why is this difficult in this scene?
Discuss:
Paris and Juliet’s speech. Think about the way she rejects him. What does this show about their relationship?

26. Transform:
Lies. Why does Juliet lie to her father? What good does she think it will do?
Consider:
Capulet’s reaction. What does this show about his feelings towards his daughter?
ACT 4 Scene 2
Enter JULIET
CAPULET How now, my headstrong! where have you been gadding?
JULIET Where I have learn’d me to repent the sin Of disobedient opposition To you and your behests, and am enjoin’d By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here, And beg your pardon: pardon, I beseech you! Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.
CAPULET Send for the county; go tell him of this: I’ll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning.
JULIET I met the youthful lord at Laurence’ cell; And gave him what becomed love I might, Not step o’er the bounds of modesty.
Explore:
The language used by Juliet towards her father. Are there any clues that she is not being truthful?
Prioritise:
Indicate why Capulet would be so delighted by this outcome?

27. Juliet’s plan fails. How do we know she is worried about this?
ACT 4 Scene 3
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. Come, 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.
Laying down her dagger
What if it be a poison, which the friar Subtly hath minister’d to have me dead, Lest in this marriage he should be dishonour’d, Because he married me before to Romeo? I fear it is: and yet, methinks, it should not, For he hath still been tried a holy man. How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo Come to redeem me? there’s a fearful point! Shall I not, then, be stifled in the vault, To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in, And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes? Or, if I live, is it not very like, The horrible conceit of death and night, Together with the terror of the place,– As in a vault, an ancient receptacle, Where, for these many hundred years, the bones Of all my buried ancestors are packed: Where bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth, Lies festering in his shroud; where, as they say, At some hours in the night spirits resort;–
Imagine:
Juliet’s plan fails. How do we know she is worried about this?
Alack, alack, is it not like that I, So early waking, what with loathsome smells, And shrieks like mandrakes’ torn out of the earth, That living mortals, hearing them, run mad:– O, if I wake, shall I not be distraught, Environed with all these hideous fears? And madly play with my forefather’s joints? And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud? And, in this rage, with some great kinsman’s bone, As with a club, dash out my desperate brains? O, look! methinks I see my cousin’s ghost Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body Upon a rapier’s point: stay, Tybalt, stay! Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee.
She falls upon her bed, within the curtains
Consider: the length and content of Juliet’s soliloquy. What impressions does this create of her?
Discuss: Who she talks about in her soliloquy and what this reveals about her relationships with these people?
Prioritise: What is the purpose of her supernatural vision at the end of the soliloquy?

28. How the characters feel. Explore:
Transform: What does this short scene do and tell us about the two female characters?
Consider:
The happiness in this scene. What is Shakespeare doing by juxtaposing this scene of domesticity with the next scene of death?
Act 4 Scene 4
LADY CAPULET Hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, nurse.
Nurse They call for dates and quinces in the pastry.
Enter CAPULET
CAPULET Come, stir, stir, stir! the second cock hath crow’d, The curfew-bell hath rung, ’tis three o’clock: Look to the baked meats, good Angelica: Spare not for the cost.
Nurse Go, you cot-quean, go, Get you to bed; faith, You’ll be sick to-morrow For this night’s watching.
CAPULET No, not a whit: what! I have watch’d ere now All night for lesser cause, and ne’er been sick.
LADY CAPULET Ay, you have been a mouse-hunt in your time; But I will watch you from such watching now.
Prioritise:
How the characters feel.
Explore:
How does this foreshadow later events in the play?

29. Transform: The Nurses grief – was this fair of Juliet?
Consider: The Nurses train of though before and after the stage directions. What does this tell you about her?
ACT 4 Scene 5
Nurse Mistress! what, mistress! Juliet! fast, I warrant her, she: Why, lamb! why, lady! fie, you slug-a-bed! Why, love, I say! madam! sweet-heart! why, bride! What, not a word? you take your pennyworths now; Sleep for a week; for the next night, I warrant, The County Paris hath set up his rest, That you shall rest but little. God forgive me, Marry, and amen, how sound is she asleep! I must needs wake her. Madam, madam, madam! Ay, let the county take you in your bed; He’ll fright you up, i’ faith. Will it not be?
Undraws the curtains
What, dress’d! and in your clothes! and down again! I must needs wake you; Lady! lady! lady! Alas, alas! Help, help! my lady’s dead! O, well-a-day, that ever I was born! Some aqua vitae, ho! My lord! my lady!
Prioritise: Choose your top three quotes from this scene and explode them with:
Meaning/Effect
Exploration of the context that links & why
Zooming in on a word in the quote
Use triplets to develop your ideas
Focus on context
Exploration of the connotations
Criticise: “Juliet is impetuous, unkind and selfish in her actions”
How far would you agree with this statement?

30. Being banished and then hearing tragic news. Is his reaction fair?
Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee to-night. Let’s see for means: O mischief, thou art swift To enter in the thoughts of desperate men! I do remember an apothecary,– And hereabouts he dwells,–which late I noted In tatter’d weeds, with overwhelming brows, Culling of simples; meagre were his looks, Sharp misery had worn him to the bones: And in his needy shop a tortoise hung, An alligator stuff’d, and other skins Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves A beggarly account of empty boxes, Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds, Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses, Were thinly scatter’d, to make up a show. Noting this penury, to myself I said ‘An if a man did need a poison now, Whose sale is present death in Mantua, Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him.’ O, this same thought did but forerun my need; And this same needy man must sell it me. As I remember, this should be the house. Being holiday, the beggar’s shop is shut. What, ho! apothecary!
Enter Apothecary
Apothecary Who calls so loud?
ROMEO Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor: Hold, there is forty ducats: let me have A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear As will disperse itself through all the veins That the life-weary taker may fall dead And that the trunk may be discharged of breath As violently as hasty powder fired Doth hurry from the fatal cannon’s womb.
Apothecary Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua’s law Is death to any he that utters them.
Consider:
Being banished and then hearing tragic news. Is his reaction fair?
ACT 5 SCENE 1
Imagine:
You are Romeo and you have just heard of the death of Juliet. What would you do? Feel? Think?
Prioritise:
The law. What will happen to the Apothecary if he is found out? What does this show about Romeo?
Criticise:
Romeo’s overhasty buying of poison.
What does this show about him?

31. Friar John. Why is he so calm and collected?
ACT 5 Scene 2
Imagine:
You are Friar Laurence. What would be your reaction to this news and complication?
FRIAR LAURENCE Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
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 charge Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger. Friar John, go hence; Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight Unto my cell.
FRIAR JOHN Brother, I’ll go and bring it thee.
Exit
FRIAR LAURENCE Now must I to the monument alone; Within three hours will fair Juliet wake: She will beshrew me much that Romeo Hath had no notice of these accidents; But I will write again to Mantua, And keep her at my cell till Romeo come; Poor living corse, closed in a dead man’s tomb!
Consider:
Friar John. Why is he so calm and collected?
Prioritise: the next steps that Friar Laurence should take.
Give reasons.
Discuss:
The selfishness of the acts that have led to this point in the play? Who is most selfish and to blame?

32. The Ending so that Juliet wakes. How would this change the play?
Laying PARIS in the tomb
How oft when men are at the point of death Have they been merry! which their keepers call A lightning before death: O, how may I Call this a lightning? O my love! my wife! Death, that hath suck’d the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty: Thou art not conquer’d; beauty’s ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And death’s pale flag is not advanced there. Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet? O, what more favour can I do to thee, Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain To sunder his that was thine enemy? Forgive me, cousin! Ah, dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? shall I believe That unsubstantial death is amorous, And that the lean abhorred monster keeps Thee here in dark to be his paramour? For fear of that, I still will stay with thee; And never from this palace of dim night Depart again: here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, here Will I set up my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Here’s to my love!
Drinks
O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
Transform:
The Ending so that Juliet wakes. How would this change the play?
Consider:
The reactions of the Friar, The Prince and the Capulets and Montagues. Are they shocked?
How does it mend the rift?
Synthesise:
Your thoughts and feelings about the deaths of the characters. ~ Who is to blame for the tragic ending?
Discuss:
The clues in the scene that Juliet is alive. Think about all the examples of dramatic irony in here:

33. Romeo and Juliet: Possible Exam questions & exercises Remember planning context into the play is also useful
Example question from the 2017 exam paper:
Select a key extract with the theme or character in and starting with the extract plan or write about
Explore the presentation of ____ (choose a character)
Explore the theme of ___________ (choose a theme)
Use the Romeo and Juliet KO to re-learn key information
Quiz yourself
Explore other examples of context
Watch & make notes using the many examples of analysis videos on YouTube
Listen to the podcasts created by your teachers and on the Google Site
Use memorise
Re-annotate the play
Practice writing essays
Practice planning essays
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