youth

• Who are the two main characters in the play?

  Romeo and Juliet
• How are Romeo's friends characterized in relation to youth?

  They are short-tempered and quick to violence
• What theme does Shakespeare spotlight through Romeo and Juliet?

  The theme of youth
• What modern phenomenon does the rivalry among young men in Verona resemble?

  Modern gang culture
• What social class do Romeo and his friends belong to?

  The privileged elite of the city
• How does Shakespeare depict Romeo's maturity?

  He is portrayed as somewhat immature
• What do Benvolio and Mercutio do regarding Romeo's feelings for Rosaline?

  They poke fun at him for it
• What advice does Benvolio give to Romeo about love?

  To explore relations with other women
• How old is Juliet in the play?

  Thirteen
• What does Juliet's mother say about her age?

  She insists Juliet has reached "a pretty age"
• How does Juliet's father describe her in relation to marriage?

  As "yet a stranger in the world"
• What does Juliet believe about her readiness for marriage?

  She believes she is old enough
• What kind of language does Juliet use regarding marriage?

  Explicitly erotic language
• How does Juliet acknowledge her own youthfulness?

  By comparing herself to "an impatient child"
• What effect does the acknowledgment of youth have on the play's tragedy?

  It amplifies the tragedy of their death
• What is one of the saddest aspects of the play?

  The lovers die so young
• How does the premature death of Romeo and Juliet affect their relationship?

  It cuts their relationship tragically short
• My child is yet a stranger in the world;She hath not seen the change of fourteen years. (1,2.)
• How old is Juliet at the beginning of the play?

  Thirteen
• Why does Capulet deny Paris's request to marry Juliet?

  Because Juliet is too young
• What age is Juliet described as not yet reaching?

  Fourteen
• Come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen.Susan and she, God rest all Christian soulsWere of an age (1.3.)
• What does Capulet's anticipation of Juliet's birthday signify?

  Her life is cut very short
• What does Capulet mean by describing Juliet as "a stranger in the world"?

  She is inexperienced and prefers transcendent experiences
• How does Juliet's relationship with Romeo contrast with her everyday life?

  She prefers transcendent experiences over practicalities
• What extreme choice does Juliet make regarding her love for Romeo?

  She chooses to die rather than live without him
• What are the implications of Juliet being described as inexperienced?

  • She lacks life experience
  • Her decisions are influenced by emotions
  • She is naive about love and relationships
• How does Juliet's character reflect the theme of youth in the play?

  • Represents innocence and naivety
  • Her short life symbolizes lost potential
  • Her choices highlight the intensity of youthful love
• How old will Juliet be on Lammas Eve?

  She will be fourteen
• What does the Nurse recall about her daughter Susan?

  She was the same age as Juliet
• What event foreshadows the grief of Capulet and Lady Capulet?

  The Nurse's grief over Susan's death
• When is Juliet's birthday identified by the Nurse?

  Lammas Eve
• When is Lammas Eve celebrated?

  At the beginning of August
• What season does the play take place in?

  Summer
• So tedious is this dayAs is the night before some festivalTo an impatient child that hath new robesAnd may not wear them (3.2.)
• What dramatic irony is created regarding Juliet's birthday?

  The audience knows she will die soon
• What is the significance of the Nurse counting down to Juliet's birthday?

  It contrasts with the audience's knowledge of her fate
• What does the Nurse's grief foreshadow in the play?

  The grief of Capulet and Lady Capulet
• How does Juliet's age relate to the themes of the play?

  Her youth emphasizes the tragedy of her death
• What are the key elements of foreshadowing in the Nurse's dialogue?

  • Nurse's grief over Susan's death
  • Juliet's impending fourteenth birthday
  • Contrast between characters' knowledge and audience's knowledge