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WorksheetsRomeo and Juliet Act II & Poetic structure
Total questions: 36
Worksheet time: 18mins
In Act II of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, what role does Friar Lawrence
mainly serve?
an influential relative of the Capulets
an influential advisor to the Prince
a brilliant but frustrated botanist
Romeo’s spiritual advisor
In Act II of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, which of these events is the most
important development?
Romeo and Juliet’s decision to get married
Friar Lawrence’s discovery of an unusual plant
the search for Romeo by Benvolio and Mercutio
the arrival of Tybalt’s letter at the Montagues’ house
Who wrote the letter that Benvolio and Mercutio discuss in Act II, Scene iv, of The
Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?
Friar Lawrence
Lady Capulet
The Nurse
Tybalt
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Act II, what is the main reason that Friar
Lawrence agrees to perform the marriage of Romeo and Juliet?
He thinks the marriage may end the feud between the Capulets and
Montagues.
He realizes they will never give up their love whether or not they get
married.
He knows that Prince Escalus would approve of the marriage.
He prefers that Juliet marry Romeo rather than Paris.
The Latin word mandare means “to order.” Choose the situation that most clearly
illustrates the meaning of countermand. Base your answer on your knowledge of
the Latin prefix counter-.
The general commanded his troops to hold their position.
The public demanded an answer as to why the power went out.
The teacher sent the disruptive student to the principal’s office.
The county supervisors reversed the city’s decision to halt the project.
If a friend says that she wants a confidence with you, what does she mean? Base
your answer on the meaning of confidence as it appears in The Tragedy of Romeo
and Juliet, Act II.
She wants to accompany you to an appointment.
She wants you to join a group she belongs to.
She wants you to help her with a project.
She wants to speak to you privately.
Which of these activities is the best example of cunning?
telling a convincing lie
writing a gossipy letter
asking an insightful question
If a work of art is a counterfeit, which of the following must be true? Base your
answer on the meaning of counterfeit.
It is made of valuable materials.
It is not cheaply or carelessly done.
It is not actually what it appears to be.
It is imaginative but bizarre in its design.
What is the meaning of the Latin prefix counter-?
react
return
create
against
Throughout Act II, Scene iii, of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and
Juliet speak in blank verse. Which of the following best describe the effect
Shakespeare achieves by using blank verse instead of prose?
The poetic nature of blank verse heightens the romantic intensity of the
scene.
The stately rhythms of blank verse emphasize the ritual nature of the love
scene.
The rhyme scheme of blank verse makes the audience question the
lovers’ sincerity.
The casual quality of blank verse makes the dialogue sound more
informal and affectionate.
In Act II, Scene v, of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet speaks in blank
verse, but the Nurse’s replies alternate between blank verse and prose. Which of
the following statements identifies what is shown through this difference in
speaking styles?
Prose speech indicates that the Nurse is of a lower social rank than Juliet.
Prose speech suggests that the Nurse is a more serious character than
Juliet.
Prose speech shows the audience that the Nurse is more practical than
Juliet.
Prose speech reminds the audience that the Nurse is considerably older
than Juliet.
Part A Read the following dialogue from Act II, Scene iv, of The Tragedy of
Romeo and Juliet. Which best describes the structure of the dialogue?
Mercutio. Sure wit, follow me this jest now till thou hast
worn out thy pump, that, when the single sole of it is
worn, the jest may remain, after the wearing, solely
singular.
Romeo. O single-soled jest, solely singular for the singleness!
Mercutio. Come between us, good Benvolio! My wits faints.
Romeo. Swits and spurs, swits and spurs; or I’ll cry a
match.
Mercutio. Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I
am done; for thou hast more of the wild goose in one of
thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five. Was I
with you there for the goose?
It is written in rhymed couplets.
It is written in rhymed verse.
It is written in blank verse.
It is written in prose.
Part B Which of the following best describes the effect of the structural choice
that is the answer to Part A?
The structure lends gravity and formality to the exchange between the
characters.
The structure highlights the comedy and wit of the characters’ dialogue.
The structure allows the characters to use fanciful figures of speech.
The structure shows that the characters are hostile to one another.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A Read the following excerpt from Act II, Scene v, of The Tragedy of Romeo
and Juliet.
Juliet. O God, she comes! O honey nurse, what news?
Hast thou met with him? …
Now, good sweet nurse—O Lord, why lookest thou sad?
Nurse. I am aweary, give me leave awhile.…
Do you not see that I am out of breath?
Juliet. … The excuse that thou dost make in this delay
Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse.
Which of the following words best characterizes the Nurse’s treatment of Juliet in
this scene?
compassionate
affectionate
self-absorbed
indulgent
Part B Which of the following best explains the answer to Part A?
The Nurse expresses her sorrow that Juliet will soon leave her care.
The Nurse withholds information that is crucial to Juliet’s happiness.
The Nurse decides to tell Lady Capulet what Juliet has decided to do.
The Nurse jokes with Juliet about how the day’s work has soured her
mood.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A In Act II, Scene ii, of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, which of the
following best describes the contrast in personality between Juliet and Romeo?
Juliet is practical and down-to-earth. Romeo is impractical and flighty.
Juliet is sincerely in love with Romeo. Romeo is only flirting with Juliet.
Juliet is serene and even-tempered. Romeo alternates between joy and
despair.
Juliet is not sure how she feels about Romeo. Romeo is passionately in
love with Juliet.
Part B Which excerpt from the play most clearly supports the answer to Part A?
Juliet. How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death considering who thou art ….
Romeo. With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out ….
Romeo. Lady, by yonder blessèd moon I vow,
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops—
Juliet. O, swear not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circle orb ….
Juliet. I have forgot why I did call thee back.
Romeo. Let me stand here till thou remember it.
Juliet. Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
Romeo. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast!
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest!
What point does Juliet make when she speaks these lines in Act II, Scene ii, of The
Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet?
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
She wishes that Romeo would change his name.
She loves Romeo even though he is a Montague.
She thinks that Romeo has a sweet-sounding name.
The growing love she feels for Romeo is like a blooming rose.
In this speech by Romeo in Act II of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, to whom or
what does the last word, she, refer?
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.
Juliet's maid
the moon
the sun
Juliet
In The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene iii, how does Friar Lawrence
react to Romeo’s news and plans? Choose two options. The first answer is A. What is the second answer
He is concerned that Romeo may forget Juliet as quickly as he forgot
Rosaline.
He urges Romeo to get to know Juliet better before rushing into marriage.
He agrees to perform the marriage of Romeo to Juliet as soon as possible.
He predicts disaster because Romeo and Juliet’s families are enemies.
skill in deception
confidence
cunning
counterfeit
meeting, especially one held in secret
confidence
cunning
counterfeit
something made to deceive
confidence
cunning
counterfeit
is one-dimensional, exhibiting a single trait
flat character
round character
complex and multifaceted, showing many different character traits
flat character
round character
ridiculous character
running against what seems obvious
counter
counterintuitive
prose
against
counter
counterintuitive
kitchen counter
anything—an object, person, animal, place, or image—that represents something else
simile
hyperbole
symbol
the central idea, message, or insight that a literary work reveals
conclusion
theme
introduction
a figure of speech that uses deliberate overstatement, or exaggeration—either for comic effect or to express heightened emotion
theme
personification
hyperbole
a speech in which a character is alone on stage and expresses thoughts out loud
soliloquy
dialogue
aside
words spoken by a character in a play, usually in an undertone and not intended
dialogue
aside
soliloquy
unrhymed poetry written in a meter called iambic pentameter
couplet
blank verse
quatrain
unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
iambic meter
iambic pentameter
five verse feet with each foot an iamb (a total of ten syllables)
iambic pentameter
iamb
sonnet
written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure
blank verse
prose
rhyme and rhythm
