Romeo And Juliet Masterprose Study Guide Questions

In Act 2 Scene 2, Romeo and Juliet profess their love for one another. Discuss this scene in detail giving specific examples of the things they say and the decisions they make. Juliet wonders why Romeo was to be a Montague, because she wants to formally marry Romeo.

1 MASTERPROSE STUDY QUESTIONS ACT I 1. What important background information is established in the first scene? Antonio & Bassanio are good friends; both see each other as good people.

Antonio $ is tied up at sea Antonio is sad = no one, including himself, knows why Bassanio wants Portia s hand in marriage Bassanio is in debt & needs Antonio s help Antonio will have to guarantee a loan for Bassanio 2. Does Shakespeare intend the audience to view Bassanio as a spendthrift and a gold digger? As a spendthrift mismanages his finances & spends more than he has (1.1: ) wants to cut back on his spending habits & pay back his debts. P 13 willing to pay back? Why, in Scene II, is Portia in such a melancholy mood? Dislikes all the suitors that have thus far come for her hand Worries about getting stuck with someone she dislikes 4.

Why does Shakespeare use the word choose so often in the second scene? To emphasize Portia s lack of choice & the choosing of the proper box p, father s demands 5. How is Portia characterized in Scene II? Self confidence picky funny loyal to father s wishes honest/blunt mean/critical 6.

In Scene II, why do Portia and Nerissa review the suitors who have come to court Portia? For fun to determine what Portia thinks of each see choice/make Bassanio seem like the best choice 12 7. How do Shylock s first words in Scene III help to characterize him? Solely concerned with money p Three thousand ducats, well 8. What is the point of Shylock s comments about Antonio s ships?

One must take into account that Antonio s investments are all at sea & as such they can be deemed uncertain ships can sink; pirates can attack; there can be a storm foreshadowing potential trouble of assets 9. Why does Shylock refuse to eat with Antonio? He is Jewish & Antonio is Christian follow different dietary laws (Kosher) Neither likes the other Only business 10. What is the purpose of Shylock s aside as Antonio approaches in Scene III? To reveal his true intentions to the audience wants to finally get the upper hand & settle his ancient grudge foreshadowing 11. What is ironic about Shylock s reference in Scene III to feeding his grudge toward Antonio, and then greeting Antonio by saying that he was the last man in their mouths? (1.3 57) evil of Shylock s character (feeding his grudge) wants to chew him up & spit him out have Antonio at his mercy so as to satisfy his hate & desire for revenge was just talking about getting back at him (incidental/unexpected) 12.

How does Shylock defend his practice of charging interest on loans? Story from the Bible re: Jacob & the spotted sheep expanding your worth; profit is a blessing as long as you don t seal to get it (money lending.increased interest) 23 13.

Apart from the matter of usury, why does Shylock bear such hatred for Antonio? Antonio is Christian Antonio belittles & insults him 14.

How does Antonio react to Shylock s expression of his resentment? (Shylock ) says he would do & say all those things again ( ) he rejects him will continue to be enemies 15. Can the audience believe Shylock when he says he would offer the hand of friendship to Antonio? No, we have heard his aside & know he is scheming 16. Why does Antonio agree to the terms of the merry bond that is, to forfeit one pound of flesh if he fails to repay the borrowed money on time? His ships are due back in 2 months, one full month before the loan must be paid anticipates their safe arrival & a return of 3 times the amount of the loan from his investments & What does Bassanio s reluctance to allow Antonio to agree to Shylock s bond reveal about him?

Truly cares about Antonio as a friend & doesn t want him to put himself at risk 18. As far as plot development is concerned, what is the importance of Antonio s agreeing to Shylock s bond? It is easier to hold someone to the terms of an agreement when the person willingly consented to it Foreshadows something iwll likely go wrong (rising action) 34 ACT II 19. How does the scene between Portia and the Prince of Morocco further Portia s characterization?

That to her looks are not enough doesn t judge someone based on that says he has a good a chance as any values a person s character 20. Why does Shakespeare split the episode of the Prince of Morocco s choice into two scenes? To build suspense (ie, will he pick the right box) to develop other characters & plot lines 2.2 Lancelot, Gobbo; 2.3 Jessica & letter; 2.4 Lorenzo s plan; 2.5 Shylock going to party; 2.6 Jessica escaping & Bassanio & Gratiano leaving for Belmont 21.

What is the function of Launcelot Gobbo in Scene II? Comedic relief further villanizes Shylock build up needed to him leaving Shylock s service & asking to be in Bassanio s service 22. What new element of plot is added to the play in Scene III? Jessica & Lorenzo s forbidden love 23. C1 pro for mac download. What is Launcelot s function in this subplot? A go between characters messenger informer confidant 24.

How does Jessica s letter to Lorenzo in Scene IV set up further exposition? (developing plot) their plan to escape Jessica will sneak out of her home disguised as a pageboy & will act as Lorenzo s torchbearer for the party will also steal money & jewels from her dad5 25.

Why is Shylock reluctant to sup with Bassanio? Know he is only being invited to be flattered (softened up) (2.5) had a dream of money bags to him a bad omen that things are not going his way right now What is ironic about Shylock s leaving his keys with his daughter? He told her to lock everything up so he will need her to let him back in but she will be gone she takes all that is valuable so really there is no point in locking up goes against the proverb he quotes, Fast bind, fast find (lock things up & you will get to keep them) = because he has locked his daughter up she wants to leave him 27. What does Shylock s attitude toward music reveal about him? He is a very serious & sober individual who doesn t like to have fun or enjoy life Why is Shylock glad to see Launcelot leave his household to go to work for Bassanio? Says he eats too much, is very slow when he works & sleeps all day like a cat Should Jessica be regarded as a thief for taking money with her when she elopes with Lorenzo?

(opinionated) As Scene VI closes, why does Antonio announce that there will be no masque that night? The wind was blowing the right way so sbassanio & Gratiano had to take advantage & set said for Belmont immediately6 31. What is the dramatic function of Scene VII?

Suspense & conclusion of the Prince of Morocco s chance at winning Portia s hand message = can t judge people/situations by first impressions or their exterior reveal s Portia s true feelings towards him prejudice Why does the Prince of Morocco choose the gold casket over the others? Thinks that its message applies to Portia because she is what many men desire as is shown by the many suitors who have come from all over the world for her lead is too base ( ) silver less valuable than gold ( ) What is the lesson the prince discovers inside the gold box? All that glitters is not gold men sell their souls based on appearances sometimes that which glitters actually contains worms should have been more wise than bold worth is more than exterior based appearances can be deceiving What is the dramatic purpose of the conversation between Salerio and Solanio in Scene VIII? To inform us that Shylock has realized Jessica is gone & figures they left on Bassanio s ship however Duke discovered they left in a gondola Shylock is demanding justice very upset all his money is gone, feels deceived that a Venetian ship loaded with cargo was wrecked in the English Channel possibly belongs to Antonio Why didn t Shakespeare stage Shylock s reaction to his daughter s elopement rather than having Solanio report it? (speculation) 36. How does Shakespeare take the opportunity to satirize Spain, England s rival, in the scene with the Prince of Arragon? (satirize = ridicule) makes a fool out of the Prince of Arragon one shouldn t get more than one deserves, having earned it now Spain has gotten things by being corrupt, not by merit many who gave orders will now take them 2.9 67 37.

What does the servant s announcement of the next suitor at the end of Act II lead the audience to expect? That this young Venetian suitor is no other than Bassanio that he will be successful in winning the lottery for Portia ACT III 38.

How do Solanio and Salerio prove dramatically useful again in Scene I? Solanio confirms that Antonio has lost his ships this will bankrupt him make Shylock face the truth that he had to have known how unhappy Jessica was led the q. Which gets Shylock to confirm he will enforce the clause 39. What is the effect of Shylock s long I am a Jew speech in the first scene? To exemplify the prejudice Jews faced in Elizabethan times that Jews are humans just as Christians are that one gets the same reaction one receives if a Jew wrong a Christian, the latter wants revenge & so the villainy he has been taught by them, he will now use on them 40. How does Shakespeare keep from making Shylock into too sympathetic a character in Scene I? Still, if not more than ever, out for revenge & punishment no mercy cares more about his lost jewels & $ than his daughter 41.

What is the prevailing mood as the scene ends? One of anger, maliciousness, revenge, evil feel sorry for Antonio 42.

What is the dramatic importance of Scene II? Bassanio gets Portia & she couldn t be happier Gratiano revealing he loves Nerissa & vice versa will also marry find out what happened to Antonio s ship & Shylock s intention 78 43. Compare the mood of Scene II with Scene I.

Joy, relief, happiness, good fortune 44. What is the theme of Bassanio s long speech before he makes his choice of the caskets? Not to judge a book by its cover often one is tricked with false appearances sin & evilness can attempt to make itself look good somehow 45. How does Scene II help to develop Bassanio s character? See that he must desire Portia for more than her looks & wealth extremely loyal honest 46.

How is our understanding of Portia increased in Scene II? Truly cares for Bassanio selfless giving 47. What is the dramatic function of Scene III? Again shows Shylock can t be swayed that Antonio accepts his fate & will not try to reason with Shylock any more 48.

Piano chords pdf download free. Why can the Duke do nothing to prevent Shylock s claiming his bond? Would threaten the security of all foreign merchants in Venice & that s how the city makes money if the government disregards the law, it will be discredited 89 49. How does Scene IV help to humanize Portia? Being completely selfless & putting both Bassanio & Antoio before herself 50. How does Portia explain her departure from Belmont to Lorenzo?

Says she is going to live in a convent until Bassanio returns says she has promised to live in prayer & thought 51. What is the dramatic purpose of Scene V? Further exemplifying Portia s upright character interaction between Jessica & Lorenzo comedic relief: exchange between Lorenzo & Lancelot Jessica worries that the sins of her father will fall on her 9.

7) Who seems less impulsive and more realistic—Romeo or Juliet?Juliet seems less impulsive and more realistic than Romeo. Romeo quickly changes the object of his affection from Rosaline to Juliet, and, despite the danger, he dares to go to Juliet’s house to declare his love even though he just met her. Juliet, on the other hand, says, “Although I joy in thee, / I have no joy of this contract tonight. / It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, / Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be / Ere one can say ‘It lightens’” (2.2.116–120). With these words, Juliet demonstrates that she understands the risk of his being at her home and tells Romeo that they must wait to be together.