Romeo and Juliet 2.4 Literary Reference: Petrarch and Classical Beauties

The transcript discusses how Romeo compares Rosaline to famous beauties from classical literature, highlighting her superiority in his eyes. Mercutio lists tragic love stories, including Dido, Cleopatra, Helen, Hero, and Thisby, to emphasize the theme of love ending in death. Shakespeare uses these stories to foreshadow the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet, suggesting that they are part of a tradition of romantic love that often leads to tragedy.

Which famous poet is mentioned in relation to Rosaline?

• Shakespeare

• Petroc

• Homer

• Virgil

What tragic event occurs in the story of Dido?

• She is kidnapped

• She kills herself

• She is exiled

• She becomes a queen

How does Cleopatra meet her end?

• In exile

• In battle

• By poison

• By a snake bite

What is the fate of Hero in Greek mythology?

• She throws herself from a tower

• She drowns in a storm

• She becomes a goddess

• She marries Leander

What is the significance of the Thisby and Pyramus story in relation to Romeo and Juliet?

• It is a comedy

• It is a source of inspiration

• It is a historical account

• It is unrelated