Understanding Standing Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s vocabulary is...

• more complex than many rappers’ vocabularies.

• not as accessible as many rappers’ vocabularies.

• more creative than many rappers’ vocabularies.

• not as big as many rappers’ vocabularies.

What did studies reveal about Shakespeare’s vocabulary?

• He introduces new words in his later plays.

• He doesn’t have a larger vocabulary or create more new words than other playwrights.

• He invented new words instead of using already established words.

• His vocabulary is significantly less advanced than playwrights of today.

What is the relationship between these “two households”?

• They are well-standing, wealthy business partners.

• They are strangers to each other.

• They are enemies and are involved in an old feud.

• They are both enemies of Verona.

According to the prologue, the thing that will end the feud is…

• the royal decree of the prince to end the fighting.

• the deaths of every member of both families.

• the marriage between these families’ children.

• the deaths of these families’ children, who fell in love.

In the first four lines, the speaker claims that the person to whom he is speaking:

• enjoys summer days more than any other season

• is not quite as nice as a typical summer day

• has several qualities that make them similar to a summer day

• is better than a summer day in several ways

Which of the following best describes how the speaker describes summer?

• too hot and ever-changing

• warm and lovely

• beautiful yet cruel

• uneventful yet pleasant

Juliet wishes…

• that Romeo would visit her on her balcony and declare his love.

• that she and Romeo could be married quickly before her parents realized it.

• that she could change their (family) names so she and Romeo can be together.

• that Romeo would reveal himself and take her from her family’s house.

Juliet asks…

• who has been eavesdropping on her at night.

• if anyone can help her with problems.

• Romeo to tell her what kind of person he is.

• who has broken into her family grounds and if they mean to steal.

Romeo reassures Juliet…

• that he is armed and will fight her family for her.

• that he not danger because of the strength of his love for her will protect him.

• of his love for her by proposing marriage to her regardless of their names.

• that he was not spotted when he jumped the walls to see her so no one will ever know.

Why is there a myth that Shakespeare uses a large vocabulary?

• Experts have not been interested in studying playwrights other than Shakespeare.

• There was previously no way to examine the extent of Shakespeare’s vocabulary.

• Playwrights from Shakespeare’s time were known for writing concisely.

• There is more information available about Shakespeare and his plays.