Romeo and Juliet: Multiple choice questions

Romeo and Juliet: Multiple choice questions. Choose the best answer.

The "Prologue" is

a) an aside heard by some actors but not by the audience.
b) the same as a soliloquy.
c) an opening speech which introduces the play or an act.
d) the final or closing speech in the play.

In the Prologue, Romeo and Juliet are described as

a) "star-struck lovers".
b) "star-crossed lovers".
c) "star-crazed lovers".
d) "star-bright lovers".

In the opening scene, Prince Escalus addresses "rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbour-stained steel". He is referring to

a) Romeo and Juliet.
b) Tybalt and Mercutio.
c) the citizens of Verona and Mantua.
d) Lord Capulet and Lord Montague.

In the opening scene, Prince Escalus decrees a severe penalty for fighting. This latest fighting was started by

a) Sampson and Gregory.
b) Tybalt and Mercutio.
c) Romeo and Tybalt.
d) Lord Capulet and Lord Montague.

Early in the play, Benvolio and Montague are discussing how Romeo appears sad. Benvolio tells Montague "So please you step aside, I'll know his grievance, or be much denied." In this speech, Benvolio is

a) telling Montague to get out of the way so he can fight Romeo.
b) warning Montague to not say anything against Romeo.
c) saying that he cannot figure out what is wrong with Romeo.
d) asking Montague to leave so he can talk with Romeo.

How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about the Capulet's "masque"?

a) Romeo is hiding in the orchard and overhears Juliet on the balcony.
b) The servant cannot read and asks Romeo to read the message.
c) The Nurse tells them.
d) Montague is planning a surprise raid and wants them to come.

In the beginning of the play, Juliet is

a) 12 years old.
b) not yet 14 years old.
c) almost 15 years old.
d) only 16 years old.

In Act I, Lord and Lady Capulet want Juliet to marry

a) Romeo.
b) Paris.
c) Tybalt.
d) no one until she is older.

In Act I, when asked if she could love Paris, Juliet replies "I'll look to like, if looking liking move." In this speech, she is

a) promising to follow her mother's wishes.
b) deceiving her mother and secretly loving Romeo.
c) saying that she has not thought seriously about marriage.
d) expressing her attraction to Paris.

The Nurse is coarse and sometimes bawdy, but the Capulets accept her because

a) she knows about Juliet's meeting with Romeo.
b) she is Juliet's godmother.
c) she is a trusted servant.
d) she is Lady Capulet's mother.

In Act I scene 4, Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio and others are on their way to a masque. A "masque" refers to

a) a disguise worn for certain festivals such as Hallowe'en.
b) a party where people wear costumes.
c) a street fight between the Montagues and Capulets.
d) a wedding celebration.

Romeo is pining for Rosaline, and Mercutio delivers his "Queen Mab" speech. Queen Mab is

a) the wife of Prince Escalus.
b) Queen of the Fairies.
c) an allusion to the Nurse.
d) an allusion to Lord Capulet.

At the Capulet feast,

a) Tybalt recognizes Romeo by his voice.
b) the servant refuses to admit Romeo because he is a Montague.
c) Romeo signs the guest list and Lord Capulet orders him to leave.
d) Romeo is identified as a Montague by his clothing.

In Act I, when Tybalt complains about Romeo's presence at the feast, Lord Capulet replies

a) "Content thee gentle coz, let him alone."
b) "I'll give you to my friend; an' you be not, hang, beg, die or starve in the streets."
c) "O brother Montague, give me thy hand."
d) "What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man."

Lord Capulet allows Romeo to remain at the "masque" because

a) Lady Capulet wants Juliet to meet the young men of Verona.
b) Lord Capulet wants Tybalt to challenge Romeo to a fight.
c) the Montagues are insignificant and not worthy of attention.
d) Romeo is well-behaved and will not cause trouble.

Shortly after Juliet first meets Romeo, she tells the nurse "Go ask his name. If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed." In this speech, Juliet is

a) foreshadowing the tragedy.
b) thinking that Romeo is married.
c) joking that she will murder Romeo if he is married.
d) saying that she is "dying" to meet Romeo.

Shortly after Juliet has met Romeo, she expresses her sentiments by saying "O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell so sweet." In this speech, Juliet

a) is admiring the flowers outside her room.
b) considers changing her name from Capulet to Montague.
c) declares her love for Romeo despite that he is a Montague.
d) has noticed Romeo hiding in the orchard.

A "soliloquy" is

a) an aside heard by some actors but not by the audience.
b) a speech delivered by an actor alone on stage.
c) an opening speech which introduces the play or an act.
d) the final or closing speech in the play.

In the soliloquy which begins "But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?",

a) Romeo is in the orchard hiding from Benvolio and Mercutio.
b) Juliet is signalling to Romeo from her balcony.
c) Romeo is expressing his love for Rosaline.
d) Romeo has spotted Paris at the sepulchre.

Shakespeare makes it easy and natural for Juliet to express her love for Romeo without seeming to be too "forward" by

a) confessing to Friar Laurence and Romeo overhears.
b) telling the nurse who tells Romeo.
c) talking to herself out on the balcony.
d) talking to Romeo while she is behind a mask.

Who says "It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."?

a) Romeo
b) Paris
c) the nurse
d) Friar Laurence

The words "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" (II,ii,33) are spoken by

a) Mercutio and Benvolio when they are looking for Romeo in the orchard.
b) Juliet when she is on the balcony.
c) Tybalt when he wants to fight against Romeo.
d) Paris when he arrives at the sepulchre.

In Act II, the "balcony scene" takes place

a) after Romeo and Juliet have married.
b) in the church where they were married.
c) in the sepulchre.
d) in the Capulet's house overlooking the orchard.

Shortly after their first meeting, Romeo proposes meeting Juliet at Friar Laurence's cell. Friar Laurence's "cell" refers to

a) a large church or cathedral.
b) a jail for priests who act independently.
c) a monk's room which is basic and simple.
d) a small chapel where people are privately married.

Friar Laurence approves of the marriage of Romeo and Juliet because he

a) believes that Romeo will settle down and be more responsible.
b) thinks that Romeo is a better man than Paris.
c) hopes that the marriage will destroy the hatred between the two families.
d) thinks that it is time for Juliet to marry.

In response to Romeo's "protest" of his good intentions, the Nurse replies "I'll tell her so much .. she will be a joyful woman." The Nurse is conspiring to

a) leave the balcony window open so Romeo can visit Juliet.
b) take Juliet to the sepulchre where she will marry Romeo.
c) arrange the secret marriage between Romeo and Juliet.
d) stop Romeo and Juliet from marrying.

In Act III, Benvolio wishes to leave the market because

a) the Capulet men are nearby.
b) he cannot find Romeo.
c) it is too hot and tempers are easily flared.
d) the Prince has said that they should not be there.

In the beginning of Act III, Benevolio warns Mercutio that the Capulets are coming, and Mercutio replies "By my heel, I care not." Mercutio is saying

a) he does not care what Benvolio says. He will not fight the Capulets.
b) he has been wounded in his foot and cannot fight.
c) he will not run from the Capulets.
d) his feet are sweating. It is too hot to fight.

The words "More than the Prince of Cats ... he is the courageous captain of compliments" refer to

a) Romeo.
b) Paris.
c) Mercutio.
d) Tybalt.

Mercutio calls Tybalt

a) a dreamer.
b) Queen Mab.
c) the Prince of Cats.
d) a "star-crossed lover".

In Act III, Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel because

a) Tybalt wants to marry Juliet.
b) Tybalt wants Paris to marry Juliet.
c) Romeo intruded on the Capulet's "masque".
d) Romeo is defending Mercutio.

In Act III, Romeo at first does not want to fight Tybalt because

a) Romeo fears the Prince's anger.
b) Tybalt is a more experienced swordsman.
c) Benvolio and Mercutio advise Romeo against fighting Tybalt.
d) Tybalt is a kinsman of Juliet.

As a character, Tybalt is portrayed as

a) dignified and diplomatic.
b) cautious and restrained.
c) fiery and anxious to fight the Montagues.
d) cowardly when he stabbed Mercutio unexpectedly.

Just before he dies, Mercutio turns to Romeo and asks "Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm." This implies

a) Mercutio was wounded by Romeo's sword.
b) Romeo is responsible for Mercutio's death.
c) Mercutio wanted Romeo to intervene and stop Tybalt.
d) the devil made Mercutio fight Tybalt.

Mercutio's dying remarks include

a) a song to Queen Mab.
b) a curse on both houses of Montague and Capulet.
c) a soliloquy in which he forgives Tybalt.
d) burial requests.

What is Juliet's first reaction when she hears that Romeo has killed Tybalt?

a) She is angry with Romeo and mourns the death of Tybalt.
b) She breaks down and wallows in self-pity.
c) She argues with the nurse about what has happened.
d) She tries to think of ways to protect Romeo.

When Juliet learns about Tybalt's death, she is upset because

a) both Mercutio and Tybalt have died.
b) Tybalt was her cousin.
c) her father would be angry with Romeo.
d) the Prince has banished Romeo.

How does Romeo react to being banished from Verona?

a) He quietly accepts the punishment.
b) He tells Friar Laurence that he prefers death.
c) He vows revenge on Prince Escalus.
d) He curses the House of Capulet.

At the opening of Act III, scene v, Juliet begins with the words "Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day; It is the nightingale and not the lark, that pierced the hollow of thine ear." Juliet is talking to

a) Romeo.
b) the Nurse.
c) Lady Capulet.
d) Paris.

Romeo must leave Juliet before dawn on Tuesday morning because

a) he must meet Friar Laurence in Mantua.
b) he will be executed if he is found in Verona.
c) he has to arrange for their marriage.
d) Lord Capulet is coming.

Towards the end of Act III, Lady Capulet chides Juliet "Thou weep'st not so much for his death as that the villain lives which slaughtered him." Lady Capulet implies the villain is

a) Tybalt.
b) Lord Montague.
c) Romeo.
d) Mercutio.

When Lord Capulet learns of Juliet's refusal to marry Paris, he tells her "Hang thee young baggage! disobedient wretch! I tell thee what - get thee to church on Thursday or never look me in the face." In this speech, Lord Capulet is

a) angry that Juliet is not very religious.
b) angry that Juliet has not packed her bags.
c) angry at Paris and threatening to hang him.
d) ironically alluding to the death of Juliet.

What excuse does Lord Capulet give to Paris for the sudden wedding plans?

a) The marriage will help Juliet overcome her grieving for Tybalt.
b) The marriage will help Juliet forget Romeo.
c) Juliet is a spoiled child and Lord Capulet cannot afford to keep her.
d) Lord Capulet hopes that the marriage will bring peace to Verona.

Lord Capulet originally scheduled the wedding for Thursday but moves it ahead to Wednesday. As a result,

a) Juliet goes to Mantua where she joins Romeo at the sepulchre.
b) Friar Laurence cannot inform Romeo about the plan to give Juliet a sleeping potion.
c) Romeo leaves Verona and goes to Mantua.
d) Romeo kills Tybalt in a sword fight.

45. After Juliet has taken the sleeping potion, Paris comments "O love! O life! not life, but love in death." He is referring to

a) Lord Capulet's lack of love for Juliet while she was alive.
b) Juliet's lack of love for Paris, but he still loves her.
c) Paris' love for Juliet even though she is dead.
d) Romeo's love for Juliet.

46. Friar John could not deliver the letter to Romeo because

a) Romeo had never left Mantua.
b) in Verona "searchers of the town .. seal'd up the doors."
c) there was a plague in Mantua so Friar John could not go there.
d) Friar Laurence had an "infectious pestilence".

47. Romeo learns of Juliet's "death" from

a) Benvolio.
b) Friar Laurence.
c) Friar John.
d) his servant Balthasar.

48. In the final scene in the burial vault, when Romeo last sees Juliet, he remarks "Beauty's ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, and death's pale flag is not advanced there." The speech is ironic because

a) Paris and Tybalt are also dead.
b) Romeo wants to remember Juliet as she was when alive.
c) Juliet is not really dead.
d) the Capulet flag is red.

49. Juliet stabs herself when she awakes from the sleeping potion because

a) she fears her father's anger at her marriage to Romeo.
b) the sleeping potion has made her insane.
c) she fears spending the night alone in the sepulchre.
d) Romeo is dead.

50. Friar Laurence can be seen as "responsible" for the tragedy because

a) the Friar is an evil character.
b) the Church should not take sides in a family feud.
c) he devised the plan to marry Romeo and Juliet.
d) he supported the Montagues against the Capulets.