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English Test – Teacher: Antonello Auciello

With a kiss I die
William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet (1594-96), Act V, Scene III

ROMEO: Ah, dear Juliet,

Why art thou yet so fair? shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorred monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee;
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again: here, here will I remain
With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last!
Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you
The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death! […]
Here’s to my love! [Drinks]
O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.
[ He Dies] […]

JULIET: What’s here? a cup, closed in my true love’s hand?

Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end:
O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after? I will kiss thy lips;
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make die with a restorative. [She kisses him]
Thy lips are warm! […]
Yea, noise? then I’ll be brief. O happy dagger!
This is thy sheath; There rust, and let me die.
[She stabs herself and falls]
Comprehension and Translation

1. Read the passage “With a kiss I die” and make a brief summary (50 words).

2. Read the rest of the passage and answer the following questions.
A. What does Juliet find in her true love’s hands?
B. How does she first try to kill herself?
C. What does she discover?
D. What does she do when she hears some noise?

3. How would you translate these lines?

2. shall I believe
3. That unsubstantial death is amorous,
4. And that the lean abhorred monster keeps
5. Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
6. For fear of that, I still will stay with thee;

Structure and Style

4. What are the dominant themes of Romeo’s soliloquy?

A. Young love.
B. Love and death.
C. Suicide.
D. Family feud.

5. What is the medium of Juliet’s fate?

A. Wisdom.
B. Speed and impatience.
C. Youth.
D. Innocence.