Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare



|Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare |

|Act I Study Guide—Answers |

Instructions: Answer each question in COMPLETE SENTENCES. Responses will only receive half credit if not written in complete sentences. You are welcome to use an extra sheet of paper if needed.

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Image from Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet

Prologue

1. In what poetic form is the Prologue written? Define this poetic form.

Sonnet: Sonnet is a 14-line poem in ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme.

2. What is the setting of the play?

Verona, Itlaly; 1300-1400s

3. The Prologue establishes that two families are feuding. What caused the feud?

We do not know.

4. Romeo and Juliet are referred to as “star-crossed lovers.” What do these words suggest about the nature of their love/relationship?

The two teenagers are destined meet, fall in love, and die. Everything that happens in the play is “written in the stars” or fated to happen.

Scene i:

5. Who is fighting at the beginning of this scene?

The Montague’s and Capulet’s servants; it escalates into a riot between the two houses.

6. Who tries to break up the fighting?

Benvolio (later the Prince)

7. What do the first three pages of the scene demonstrate about the forces at work in the play? (Consider the servants episode, the Benvolio-Tybalt episode, and the Prince’s warning.)

The feud is out of hand… only a life-changing event will affect the forces at work.

8. Tybalt responds to Benvolio by saying, “What, draw, and talk of peace? I hate the word / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (lines 70-71). What do these lines reveal about Tybalt’s character?

Tybalt is a hothead; he will stop at nothing to seek revenge on the Montagues.

9. What declaration does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet and why does he make it?

He declares that will end the feud, or he will sentence them to death.

10. How is Benvolio characterized in the first six pages of the scene? What kind of a person is he?

He is a reasonable, peaceful person. He is a helpful cousin and wise young man.

11. How do Benvolio and Lady Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting of late (lines 119-156)?

Romeo has been acting depressed and locking himself in his room. His father is concerned.

12. Why is Romeo so sad? Explain.

He loves Rosaline, but she is dedicating herself to the church and will not return his love.

13. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo?

Benvolio suggests that Romeo try to find another woman to admire; he wants Romeo to find another girl at Capulet’s ball.

Scene ii

14. Why does Lord Capulet think that it will be easy for Lord Montague and him to keep the peace?

They are bound by the same law to keep the peace.

15. Explain Paris’s “suit.” What is Lord Capulet’s response?

Paris asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Capulet says that Juliet is too young and to wait two years, but Paris is allowed to court Juliet.

16. How is Lord Capulet characterized in this scene?

He is a caring, loving, protective father. Atypical of wealthy Renaissance fathers.

17. What is the servant’s problem, and what does it result from (in other words, what can he not do)?

The servant cannot find the people of the list to deliver the invitations to the part because he cannot read.

18. How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about the Capulet party, and why do they decide to go?

They run into Capulet’s servant who is delivering the invitations. Romeo wants to go to see Rosaline, and Benvolio wants Romeo to go to find another girl to love.

19. What role has fate played in this scene?

Fate has orchestrated the meeting of Romeo and Juliet. If the servant hadn’t run into Benvolio and Romeo, the “star-crossed” lovers would never meet.

Scene iii

20. How old is Juliet?

13 years old

21. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer?

She has not dreamed of being married.

22. Following Juliet’s answer, what does Lady Capulet tell Juliet?

She says that when she was Juliet’s age, she had already had Juliet; she is a young mother. She encourages Juliet to consider Count Paris for a husband.

23. What information do we learn from the Nurse’s story?

The nurse raised Juliet and knows her better than Lady Capulet. The nurse loves Juliet and has been with Juliet throughout her childhood.

24. Describe the Nurse. How is she characterized? Who is the Nurse’s character foil?

She is a long-winded woman who provides comic relief for the readers. Her character foil is Lady Capulet.

Scene iv

25. Who is Queen Mab, and what does she do?

She is fairy who visits people in the night and causes them to have certain dreams.

26. What is Mercutio’s speech called and why does he make it?

Monologue and he makes it to tease Romeo. He wants him to realize that dreams are not real.

27. How is Mercutio characterized in this scene?

Mercutio is a fun-loving character who is realist.

28. Who is Mercutio’s character foil in this scene?

Romeo—Romeo is the dreamer who is melancholy and Mercutio is the opposite.

29. What is Romeo’s mood at the end of the scene? Explain.

He is worried about his future, but he throws caution to the wind and says whatever is fated to happen will happen.

30. What is foreshadowed by Romeo in lines 106-111?

He foreshadows that tonight will be a fateful night that will lead to his untimely death.

Scene v

31. What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her/

He thinks she is the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen. He loves her instantly.

32. How does Tybalt recognize Romeo?

He recognizes his voice.

33. Why is Tybalt so upset by Romeo’s attendance to the party?

Romeo is a Montague at a Capulet party.

34. When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Lord Capulet say to Tybalt?

Lord Capulet keeps Tybalt from causing a scene. He says he has heard positive things about Romeo and that Romeo is not harming anyone. He says to leave Romeo alone and forget it.

35. What promise does Tybalt make after hearing his uncle’s request?

He promises he will seek revenge on Romeo for crashing their party.

36. Summarize the conversation between Romeo and Juliet.

They talk of pilgrims and lips doing what pilgrims do with their hands (i.e. they kiss). They become fond of each other and kiss twice. This is a sonnet.

37. What images are associated with Juliet in lines 44-48?

Light and stars

38. How do Romeo and Juliet discover each other’s last names?

The nurse reveals the identity to both Romeo and Juliet.

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