Romeo and Juliet

Why might the death of Mercutio, who might at first seem like a figure of pure comic relief, be such an important turning point in the play?

Romeo and Juliet features a cavalcade of punny jokes. Why might the play use the wordplay it does? How does wordplay relate to the play’s themes?

Choose one of the play’s major recurring images, like light and darkness, plants and flowers, birds, or the moon, stars, and sun. Then trace the appearance of your chosen motif throughout the play. How does Shakespeare’s use of the image change as the play goes on?

The Nurse is full of humor, but her attempt to persuade Juliet to marry Paris is serious. Why is the Nurse’s failure to understand Juliet’s love for Romeo so devastating to Juliet? How is the Nurse meaningful beyond her role as the butt of jokes?

Consider why the famous balcony scene is structured the way it is. How does it shape the viewer’s emotional understanding of the play? Why might it be set on a balcony and in a garden? How does the imagery of this scene relate to some of the play’s themes?

Consider Friar Lawrence’s speech on the properties of herbs. How do his ideas about moderation play out in his behavior—and how does the play support or undermine those ideas?

Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, as well as one of the most frequently adapted. Pick a scene, and compare at least two film versions of it. How do different directors visually communicate the play’s ideas and themes? How might you present the play if you were directing it?

Compare one of Romeo’s monologues to one of Juliet’s (for instance, you might compare Romeo’s speech in the garden to Juliet’s “Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds” speech [3.2.1]). How do their language, style, and imagery relate to each other, and how do they differ? What can you learn about the two lovers from the way they speak?