pros and verse

• What type of verse is primarily used in Romeo and Juliet?

  Blank verse
• Why does Shakespeare prefer verse for serious themes in Romeo and Juliet?

  Verse is more structured and rule-bound
• What themes are explored in Romeo and Juliet?

  Doomed love, feuding, suicide, and death
• How does verse relate to the characters in Romeo and Juliet?

  High-status characters speak in verse
• Who are the main characters that typically speak in prose?

  The Nurse, Peter, and the Musicians
• When do low-status characters speak in verse?

  When the topic is serious enough
• What does Mercutio's use of prose indicate during serious moments?

  He is being reckless
• What does Benvolio say at the beginning of Act Three, scene one?

  It's dangerous for them to be there
• How does Mercutio's speech change during his encounter with Tybalt?

  He switches between verse and prose
• What is the significance of verse and prose in Romeo and Juliet?

  • Verse indicates high status and serious themes
  • Prose marks comic speech or low-status characters
  • Low-status characters may use verse for serious topics
  • Characters switch between verse and prose based on context