Chapter 1

Romeo and Juliet


Comprehension I

1. The phrase, 'teach the torches to burn bright' suggests:

a. Juliet's glow is brighter than the light of the torch.

b. her beauty is capable of enabling the torches to burn bright.

c. her beauty surpasses the brightness of light.

Answer: a. Juliet's glow is brighter than the light of the torch.



2. 'for earth too dear' suggests that the lady's beauty is

a. divine.

b. rare.

c. expensive.

Answer: a. divine.


3. 'the measure done', connotes the completion of
a. Romeo's admiration of Juliet's beauty.
b. dance organised by Lord Capulet.
c. glorification of Juliet's charm.

Answer: b. dance organised by Lord Capulet.


4. The line, 'did my heart love till now?' suggests
a. Romeo feels he has fallen in love.
b. Romeo has been attracted before.
c. Romeo feels this is true love.

Answer: c. Romeo feels this is true love.


5. The phrase 'new snow', suggests
a. love as pure as snow.
b. description of Romeo's charm.
c. Juliet's discreet love for Romeo.

Answer: a. love as pure as snow.


6. What do you think the phrase face of heaven' signifies?

Answer: The phrase "face of heaven" refers to the night sky, especially when it's filled with stars. In the context of Juliet's speech, it symbolizes the beauty and serenity of the heavens. She imagines Romeo turned into stars, lighting up the sky so magnificently that everyone would fall in love with the night and ignore the brightness of the sun.

Let me know if you’d like this in simpler words for younger readers too!


Comprehension II

1. What similes does Romeo use to convey Juliet's beauty?

Answer:Romeo uses several vivid similes to describe Juliet's beauty:

  • "She hangs upon the cheek of night as a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear": He compares Juliet to a bright jewel shining against the dark skin of an Ethiopian, highlighting how she stands out in the darkness.

  • "So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows": He compares Juliet to a white dove among crows, suggesting that her beauty is pure and unmatched by others around her.

These similes emphasize how Juliet's beauty outshines everyone and everything else in the room.

Let me know if you want this broken down further for easier understanding!

2. How, according to Juliet, would Romeo be immortalised to the world?

Answer:According to Juliet, Romeo would be immortalised if, after her death, he were turned into little stars and spread across the night sky. She says this would make the "face of heaven so fine" that everyone in the world would fall in love with night and ignore the brightness of the sun. Through this poetic image, Juliet expresses her deep love and admiration for Romeo, imagining his beauty lighting up the heavens forever.

Let me know if you'd like a simpler version or a poetic summary!

Comprehension III

1. Comment on the contrasting imagery in the poem. What purpose does it serve in highlighting the intensity of love?

Answer: The poem uses powerful contrasting imagery—light versus dark, day versus night, dove versus crows, snow versus raven—to highlight the intensity and purity of Romeo and Juliet’s love.

  • Romeo compares Juliet to a “rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear” and a “snowy dove trooping with crows.” These images contrast brightness and whiteness with darkness, making Juliet's beauty appear extraordinary and divine.

  • Juliet also uses contrast when she calls Romeo “day in night” and imagines him “whiter than new snow on a raven’s back,” showing how he brings light into her darkness.

This use of opposites emphasizes how their love shines in the midst of hatred and conflict. The imagery helps convey that their feelings are intense, pure, and set apart from the harsh reality of the world around them.

Would you like a version of this suitable for younger students or a summary in bullet points?

2. Between Romeo and Juliet, whose love, do you think, is more passionate and intense?

Answer: Both Romeo and Juliet express deep passion, but Juliet’s love seems more intense and enduring. While Romeo is instantly struck by Juliet's beauty and quickly declares his love, Juliet’s feelings grow deeper and more thoughtful.

Her speech shows a longing that goes beyond physical attraction—she speaks of wanting to be with Romeo forever, even imagining him turned into stars so the world can admire him. Her love is not only romantic but also poetic and spiritual.

Romeo’s love is passionate and impulsive; Juliet’s love is passionate, poetic, and profound. This makes her love appear more intense and emotionally powerful.

Let me know if you’d like to frame this as a debate or in a comparison table!