What's Missing From 'Romeo and Juliet'? - Part 1 Quiz

Answer: Dignity

Of course it's dignity! I knew you knew that! This is the very first line in the play spoken by our Chorus!
-----
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean."

Answer: Thumb

Apparently it's a rude gesture to bite one's thumb at someone else! This line is from Act 1 Scene 1, spoken by Abraham to Sampson. This began the quarrel that caused the Prince to threaten death to anyone caught fighting, but you knew that didn't you!
-----
"Abraham.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sampson.
I do bite my thumb, sir.

Abraham.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

Sampson (to Gregory).
Is the law of our side if I say ay?

Gregory.
No."

Answer: Lips

This line is taken from Act 1 Scene 5; the party at the Capulets. It's the first encounter of Romeo and Juliet, where they sneak away for a bit of a kiss! Romeo here is asking Juliet for another kiss. Ah, the romance of it all!
-----
"Romeo.
Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd!
Give me my sin again.

Juliet.
You kiss by the book."

Answer: Passion

This line is from Act 2 Scene 1, after the party at the Capulets. Romeo is hiding from Mercutio and Benvolio, because he plans to go to Juliet's balcony. Mercutio is in the midst of calling for Romeo.
-----
"Nay, I'll conjure too.--
Romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh:
Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied."

Answer: Stars and Heaven

Ah, the famous balcony scene! We all know what happens here. This is Act 2 Scene 2, and Romeo hasn't revealed himself to Juliet yet. He is still gazing adoringly. Is it just me, or could he been seen as a bit of a Peeping Tom? Just me then...
-----
"She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.--
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return."

Answer: Rose

Again, this is a quote from the Balcony Scene in Act 2 Scene 2. Juliet is telling us that she loves Romeo for who he is, that Montague is just a name given to him and means nothing. Awwww, mushy!
-----
"... O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title..."

Answer: Love

Again, my final quote from Act 2 Scene 2; the Balcony Scene. Romeo here is so happy he is like a schoolboy finishing the school day. Then he realises that when he leaves Juliet, he won't be happy, just like a schoolboy starting his school day. Can't you tell that this is my favourite scene! This line concludes the Balcony Scene!
-----
"A thousand times the worse, to want thy light!--
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books;
But love from love, towards school with heavy looks."

Answer: Where is your mother?

This is from Act 2 Scene 5. Juliet has just sent out the Nurse to ask Romeo when they shall be married. The Nurse is playing with Juliet and abruptly changes the subject. This scene always makes me giggle!
-----
"Nurse.
Your love says, like an honest gentleman,
And a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome;
And, I warrant, a virtuous,--Where is your mother?

Juliet.
Where is my mother?--why, she is within;
Where should she be? How oddly thou repliest!
'Your love says, like an honest gentleman,--
'Where is your mother?' "

Answer: Capulets

This is taken from Act 3 Scene 1, the start of the infamous brawl that ends the life of Mercutio and Tybalt! Awww, poor Mercutio!
-----
"Benvolio.
By my head, here come the Capulets.

Mercutio.
By my heel, I care not.

[Enter Tybalt and others]"

Answer: Plague

Again this famous line is taken from Act 3 Scene 1, and Mercutio has just been stabbed by Tybalt. He soon dies, but not before cursing the house of the Capulets and Montagues! Remember, Mercutio is not a member of either family, he is just a friend of Romeo's! Such a tragedy!
-----
"Mercutio.
I am hurt;--
A plague o' both your houses!--I am sped.--
Is he gone, and hath nothing?

Benvolio.
What, art thou hurt?

Mercutio.
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough.--
Where is my page?--go, villain, fetch a surgeon.

[Exit Page.]

Romeo.
Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.

Mercutio.
No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door;
but 'tis enough, 'twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you
shall find me a grave man.
-----
Tune in soon for the final part of 'What's Missing From Romeo and Juliet'!