Romeo and Juliet Discussion Questions

How is poison—both as a substance and a symbol—vital to the storyline?

The first mention of poison in the play is in Act 2, Scene 2, when Friar Lawrence is picking herbs in his garden. He remarks that herbs can both cure and poison people. His words come as a premonition, as both Romeo and Juliet commit suicide by consuming deadly concoctions. Juliet consumes a concoction prepared specifically by the Friar to merely incapacitate her for two days, so she can convincingly fake her death. Romeo, thinking that Juliet has died, consumes the poison he had procured before commencing his journey from Mantua to Verona. Further, the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets proves toxic and fatal not just to the young couple but also several others associated with the families.

Cite three allusions in the play that Shakespeare draws from Greek mythology.

In Act 2, Scene 1, we come across the line, “Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies[.]” Here, Shakespeare alludes to Echo, a mountain nymph in Greek mythology who is cursed by Hera. The curse limits Echo’s capacity for speech; she can only repeat others’ last words.

In Act 2, Scene 3, we come across the line, “From forth a day’s path and Titan’s fiery wheels.” This alludes to one of the Titans in Greek mythology who ruled the world before the Olympian gods.

In Act 3, Scene 2, we come across the line, “Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, Toward Phoebus’ lodging.” This line alludes to Phoebus, the Greek god of light.

Compare the characters of Tybalt and Mercutio in the play.

Tybalt comes across as a rather bitter person. His bitterness is not limited to the interpersonal, but seems to extend toward humanity in general. He is deeply concerned with questions of masculinity and honor; he even resorts to fighting to safeguard these values. Mercutio, on the other hand, is characterized by his hostility toward women; he sees women primarily as objects of sexual desire. Nonetheless, compared with Tybalt, Mercutio comes across as witty and complex. Mercutio’s elaborate and complex speeches are relevant examples in this context.

Discuss the structure of the play on a textual level.

The play is divided into five acts, and each act is further divided into several scenes. The five acts fit into the dramatic structure of Freytag’s pyramid. The first act serves an expository or introductory purpose; the second act involves several instances that complicate and advance the storyline. The third act serves as the climax, whereas the fourth act serves as the anti-climax. Finally, the fifth act serves as the denouement.

The entire plot of the play occurs within a period of four days. Does this enhance the play or undermine it?

The four-day time period makes the plot of Romeo and Juliet quite unbelievable. Romeo falls out of love with Rosaline, falls in love with Juliet, marries her, and ultimately dies for her in this short span of time. The shortened time period invites the audience to question the tenability of the romantic ideal Romeo and Juliet are stricken by. The shortened time span in fact could also suggest that the lovers were overly emotional to the point of seeming foolish. Nonetheless, the short four-day span also accentuates the tension and conveys the lovers’ urgency to the audience.