Romeo and JulietRevision Guide

Act One Scene IWhat happens?There is a brawl between Capulets and Montagues. It is started by the servants, Benvolio attempts to stop it and Tybalt reignites it.The Prince orders peace “on pain of death”Romeo complains to Benvolio about his broken heart and love for Rosaline.

Act One Scene IWhy does it matter?Verona is not a place of peace. The play opens in a world filled with hate.BUT people are starting to become tired of the violence.Romeo’s love and romance is in contrast to the hatred and conflict in Verona.

Act One Scene IIWhat happens?Paris asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage.Capulet says she is still too young. Romeo and Benvolio decide to gate-crash the Capulet party.Romeo is hoping to see Rosaline.

Act One Scene IIWhy does it matter?Capulet seems to be open to the idea of peace.Capulet shows that he cares for his daughter.Romeo is still preoccupied with Rosaline.

Act One Scene IIIWhat happens?The Nurse, Lady Capulet and Juliet discuss the possibility of Juliet marrying Paris.The Nurse tells stories of Juliet’s childhood.

Act One Scene IIIWhy does it matter?Juliet and the Nurse’s close relationship is clear. The Nurse raised Juliet.The distant relationship between Lady Capulet and Juliet is revealed.Juliet is a respectful, obedient daughter who is mature for her age.

Act One Scene IVWhat happens?Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio prepare for the Capulet party.Mercutio tries to cheer Romeo up by teasing him but Romeo is still miserable.Romeo is nervous about going to the party as he had an ominous dream.

Act One Scene IVWhy does it matter?Mercutio’s liveliness and imagination contrasts with Romeo’s misery.Romeo has an idealistic, romantic view of love. Mercutio is more cynical. However, Mercutio is a loyal friend to Romeo.Romeo’s dream emphasises the tragic nature of the play.

*Act One Scene V*KEY SCENE:

Listen to the scene again and discuss.

Act One Scene V (Key Scene)Why does it matter?

Romeo’s love is “love at first sight”. It is as if Romeo has come back to life.Juliet’s love is just as sudden. However, Juliet keeps cool and calm, her love is down-to-earth and realistic. Meanwhile Romeo is extravagant, idealistic and romantic. In the middle of the merriment of the party Tybalt attempts to revive the feud by challenging Romeo to fight.

Act One Scene V (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Capulet stops him, however, Tybalt intends to get revenge on Romeo and this outbreak of hate threatens Romeo’s new love.Love and hate, peace and violence struggle for supremacy in this scene and we are ready for a crisis.Tragic consequences are also foreseen by Juliet.

Over to You!This is a key scene in the play so you should

know it very well.

When studying it, try to think about what this scene shows us about the key characters and

the key themes.

Are there are any important quotes in this scene?

Be able to refer to this scene in detail and its meaning when answering an exam

question!

Act Two Scene IWhat happens?Romeo does not want to leave the Capulet house because Juliet is there. As Benvolio and Mercutio search for him, he climbs a wall into Capulet’s orchard. Mercutio and Benvolio go home without him.

Act Two Scene IWhy does it matter?This scene allows Romeo to escape his friends so that he can be alone with Juliet.

*Act Two Scene II*KEY SCENE:

Listen to the scene again and discuss.

Act Two Scene II (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?This famous ‘balcony scene’ captures the atmosphere of love and romance. It is night time and the moon and stars light up Romeo and Juliet’s meeting. It is as if the night itself sympathises with them and is protecting their love. The depth and intensity of the love becomes clear.

Act Two Scene II (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Romeo is totally committed to Juliet and nothing else matters. Juliet is more practical but she loves Romeo deeply. The light of true love is isolated from the darkness of a hate-filled society.The lovers are allowed a brief moment to enjoy their exchanges of love.

Act Two Scene II (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?However, the hostile world around them is never far from Juliet’s mind. While Romeo is lost in a poetic world of romance, Juliet worries about what her kinsmen could do to Romeo.We are reminded, even in the midst of this beautiful love scene, that the lovers are alone against a hostile world. Juliet’s premonitions of disaster remind the audience that tragedy will be the result of this love.

Over to You!This is a key scene in the play so you should

know it very well.

When studying it, try to think about what this scene shows us about the key characters and

the key themes.

Are there are any important quotes in this scene?

Be able to refer to this scene in detail and its meaning when answering an exam

question!

Act Two Scene IIIWhat happens?Friar Laurence is gathering herbs to make medicine – he is skilled in making poisons.The Friar discovers Romeo is no longer in love with Rosaline and has fallen for Juliet.Romeo appeals to the Friar to marry them that very day. The Friar agrees to help, hoping to being about the end of the feud. However, he warns Romeo not to act too hastily.

Act Two Scene IIIWhy does it matter?Practical plans are being made to organise the marriage. Romeo has no second thoughts about the relationship.The Friar’s advice not to be hasty is ironic given the fact that he agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet almost immediately. He is not following his own advice. Though he has the best intentions, the Friar is not very sensible.

Act Two Scene IVWhat happens?Benvolio and Mercutio are still searching for Romeo.Tybalt has issued a challenge to Romeo which Benvolio believes Romeo will accept.Romeo arrives and joins in with Benvolio and Mercutio’s fun. He seems like a new man and is very happy and sociable. The Nurse arrives, leading to more joking, to act as Juliet’s messenger. Juliet is to makes excuses and go to the Friar’s cell that evening to be married.

Act Two Scene IVWhy does it matter?Romeo’s impending marriage fills him with happiness, however, trouble is on the horizon. Tybalt has issued a challenge which Romeo must answer, even though his chances of winning are slim.Love and hate yet again come into conflict.The gaiety and laughter of the scene relieve the tension caused by Tybalt’s challenge and the increasing danger Romeo is in.

Act Two Scene VWhat happens?Juliet waits impatiently for news from Romeo.The Nurse arrives and teases Juliet, delaying in telling her the news.When the Nurse finally tells her she is relieved and delighted.

Act Two Scene V

Why does it matter?The scene tests Juliet’s resolve to marry Romeo.Her soliloquy shows how real her love is.The Nurse’s delaying tactics highlight how eager Juliet is to marry Romeo.

Act Two Scene VIWhat happens?The Friar and Romeo wait for Juliet to arrive at the Friar’s cell.The Friar anxiously prays that the marriage will not be a cause for regret. Romeo is confident their love will overcome all but the Friar urges moderation in love.Juliet arrives and the two are married.

Act Two Scene VIWhy does it matter?The Friar’s speech warns us here of the tragedy that is to follow this scene of love. The lovers declare their youthful and mutual love, each in their own individual manner.

*Act Three Scene I*KEY SCENE:

Listen to the scene again and discuss.

Act Three Scene I (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?This scene is the turning point of the drama.Up to now the relationship of the lovers has run relatively smoothly. Now Romeo is banished on the very day of his wedding and the marriage seems doomed.The hate and rivalries of Verona begin to close in on their love from this point. Romeo is put in an impossible situation – he reacts honourably to his friend’s death by challenging Tybalt but in doing so puts himself and his love at risk.

Act Three Scene I (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Romeo’s choice was noble but now he must suffer for it. In hate-filled Verona even an honourable deed brings disastrous consequences.From this point on events move swiftly towards tragedy.

Over to You!This is a key scene in the play so you should

know it very well.

When studying it, try to think about what this scene shows us about the key characters and

the key themes.

Are there are any important quotes in this scene?

Be able to refer to this scene in detail and its meaning when answering an exam

question!

Act Three Scene IIWhat happens?Juliet waits for her wedding night with joy and anticipation, blissfully unaware of the violence of the previous scene.When the Nurse tells her the news Juliet is filled with confusion and despair. By the end of the scene Juliet, though heartbroken, grimly steels herself to deal with the situation, even if it means death.

Act Three Scene IIWhy does it matter?This scene is important because it reveals so much about Juliet’s character.When the Nurse abuses Romeo Juliet recovers her composure and sees her first loyalty must be to her husband.Juliet’s happiness comes to a cruelly abrupt end.The scene shows Juliet coping with the tragedy in a mature and dignified manner. She shows a heroic courage in her acceptance of the tragedy and in dealing with the stress of the banishment.

Act Three Scene IIIWhat happens?The Friar tells Romeo he is to be banished.Romeo is distraught since it means separation from Juliet and so is worse than death.The Nurse is disgusted at his pitiful behaviour when Juliet needs him to be strong.Romeo is filled with guilt and tries to stab himself but the Friar stops him.After receiving Juliet’s ring Romeo feels calmer and the Friar promises to try to sort out the problems so Romeo can return from exile.

Act Three Scene IIIWhy does it matter?Under stress Romeo, unlike Juliet, goes to pieces and attempts suicide. Romeo loses his self-control under stress but his love for Juliet saves him.Like Juliet, separation is worse than death for Romeo but he pulls himself together at the Nurse and Friar’s urging.In her scene Juliet wins our sympathy and admiration, while Romeo only earns our sympathy in this scene.

Act Three Scene IVWhat happens?Capulet tells Paris that Juliet will marry him.He feels confident that it will cheer Juliet up after Tybalt’s death and that she will be happy to obey his wishes.

Act Three Scene IVWhy does it matter?Ironically, just as Romeo and Juliet enjoy their wedding night together, more events outside their control are taking place.Unintentionally Juliet’s loving father has placed her in an extremely difficult situation, adding to her existing problems.Tragedy is moving closer.

*Act Three Scene V*KEY SCENE:

Listen to the scene again and discuss.

Act Three Scene V (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?This scene is the last time we see the lovers alive together. They are loathe to end their blissful night together – for a brief moment their happiness knows no bounds.This contrasts with the rest of the scene which is filled with violence and anger. Juliet foresees Romeo’s death and though he tries to be optimistic it is clear tragedy is approaching swiftly.

Act Three Scene V (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Juliet is caught between loyalty to Romeo and loyalty to her family.Capulet is disappointed at his daughter’s disloyalty to him and furiously disowns her. Juliet, without any hope, sees no way out but death.

Over to You!This is a key scene in the play so you should

know it very well.

When studying it, try to think about what this scene shows us about the key characters and

the key themes.

Are there are any important quotes in this scene?

Be able to refer to this scene in detail and its meaning when answering an exam

question!

Act Four Scene I

What happens?Paris arranges his marriage to Juliet with the Friar, who tries to hide his shock.Juliet arrives and confesses to the Friar her desperation. If he doesn’t find a solution she is determined to kill herself.The Friar invents a plan to fake Juliet’s death until Romeo can take her away with him.

Act Four Scene IWhy does it matter?This scene highlights Juliet’s desperation.We are presented with an emergency situation calling for desperate remedies. The Friar wants to help her but he is under pressure and his plan has many flaws.He doesn’t stop to think of the more direct approach of telling both families the truth and attempting to reconcile them.

Act Four Scene II

What happens?Capulet makes preparations for the wedding.When Juliet asks for forgiveness he is so happy he moves the wedding forward to the next day.

Act Four Scene IIWhy does it matter?Juliet carries out the first step of the Friar’s plan successfully.Fate closes in on her and Romeo when the wedding is moved forward. There is far less time now to inform Romeo of the plan.This scene emphasises the complete isolation of Juliet.

Act Four Scene IIIWhat happens?Juliet sends her mother and the Nurse away so she can take the Friar’s drug.Her worst fears come to mind as she prepares to drink it.Finally, for Romeo’s sake, she swallows the potion and falls asleep.

Act Four Scene IIIWhy does it matter?This scene shows that Juliet trusts absolutely to the power of her love. She is determined to die rather than betray that love and has a dagger at hand in case the potion does not work.She faces all of her terrible fears and still takes the drug.Juliet confronts forces greater than herself and trusts to the power of love to save her.

Act Four Scene IVWhat happens?The Capulet household is in a happy and festive mood preparing for the wedding.The Nurse is sent to wake Juliet up for the wedding.

Act Four Scene IVWhy does it matter?This light-hearted scene provides temporary relief from the terror of the previous scene.Juliet has taken the potion and we have yet to discover whether it has worked or not.

Act Four Scene V

What happens?The Nurse is horrified to find Juliet dead.The Capulets lament their daughter’s death in extravagant exclamations of grief. The Friar pretends to be calm, assuring the Capulets that Juliet is happy in heaven.

Act Four Scene VWhy does it matter?The Capulet’s grief is more conventional than sincere, highlighting that the real tragedy is yet to unfold.The Friar makes clear to the audience that events are happening according to his plan.

Act Five Scene I

What happens?Romeo is expecting good news from the Friar when Balthasar arrives with the shocking news that Juliet is dead.Devastated, Romeo decides he will lie with Juliet that night in death.He buys poison from a poor apothecary and leaves for Verona.

Act Five Scene IWhy does it matter?Romeo is against the odds in this scene: news of Juliet’s “death” arrives before the Friar’s letter reaches him.Plunged into despair Romeo decides to join Juliet in death.Romeo is no longer an impractical idealist, he makes up his mind quickly and acts decisively.Fate is closing in on the lovers and only one hope seems to remain – will Juliet wake up before Romeo takes the poison?

Act Five Scene II

What happens?Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that he could not deliver the message to Romeo.Friar Laurence decides to go to the Capulet vault since Juliet will awaken soon.He plans to hide Juliet until he can call Romeo from Mantua.

Act Five Scene IIWhy does it matter?An unhappy accident leads to a race against time to prevent disaster. Romeo has already left Mantua and Juliet is about to awaken.Can the Friar arrive in time to prevent tragedy?So many fateful accidents have already happened disaster seems imminent.

*Act Five Scene III*KEY SCENE:

Listen to the scene again and discuss.

Act Five Scene III (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Tragic forces finally close in in this scene:

Romeo hasn’t been told that Juliet is not really dead

The Friar arrives too late to prevent Romeo’s death

Juliet awakens too late to save Romeo’s life

The Friar is too slow to realise that Juliet intends to die and escapes without her.

Act Five Scene III (Key Scene)

Why does it matter?Yet it is not just fate to blame, the long standing hatred of the feud made it impossible for Romeo and Juliet’s love to thrive.When the lovers were faced with great problems to solve they found themselves isolated.Society and fate combine to cause the tragedy. Romeo is a tragic hero in this scene – he realises there is no turning back and faces death without flinching.Juliet’s death shows heroic courage as stabbing herself, a far more painful death than poison.

Act Five Scene III (Key Scene)Why does it matter?

However, the play does not end in total despair.It presents a new beginning and we look forward to better things in the future in Verona.The lover’s sacrifice has not been in vain since the Capulets and Montagues are reconciled.Sadly it took the deaths of their children to bring peace to Verona.In death the lovers are together and so their love transcends death.

Over to You!This is a key scene in the play so you should

know it very well.

When studying it, try to think about what this scene shows us about the key characters and

the key themes.

Are there are any important quotes in this scene?

Be able to refer to this scene in detail and its meaning when answering an exam

question!