Romeo and Juliet Unit
Romeo and Juliet Act I Scene I
1. Where is the play set?
2. What previous events does the Chorus explain to help the audience understand the play’s plot?
3. Put line 11 (Prologue) in your own words:
4. What is a Shakespearian Sonnet?
5. Is the Prologue a sonnet?
6. Lines 1-10 – What are the servants of the house of Capulet discussing?
ACT I SCENE II
1. At what age does Capulet consider it proper for Juliet to marry?
2. During Elizabethan times life spans were shorter than they are today – how might this affect the age at when people got married?
3. Paris is very much at ease with old Capulet and more composed than the lovesick Romeo we just saw. What does Paris want?
4. Why doesn’t Capulet want his daughter to marry right away?
5. How is Capulet now different from the man who drew his sword in Scene I?
6. Can loving people be violent at times?
7. What advice is Benvolio trying to give Romeo here?
8. Lines 49 and 50Lines 58-70 – What is going on here?
9. A Capulet servant cannot read; he has asked Romeo and Benvolio (Montagues) to help him read something. What do Benvolio and Romeo learn?
10. What is funny /ironic about lines 79-83?
11. Line 89- what does Benvolio say to lure Romeo to the party?
12. If we know from the letter that Rosaline is to be at the party and that she is the one Romeo loves, we know why Romeo decides to go to Capulet’s. Actors usually say these lines to indicate that the decision to go is crucial and fateful. What mood is Romeo in?
Act I Scene III
1. The nurse’s long monologue (lines 16-48) provides background information about Juliet’s family and upbringing and about the nurse’s position in the family. Why might the nurse feel especially strong affection for Juliet?
2. Line 10 – The nurse and Lady Capulet are opposites in nature. Lady Capulet sends the nurse off and then calls her back again. Some actresses use this impulsive move to indicate Lady Capulet’s reluctance to speak to her daughter about marriage. In contrast, how does the nurse react in this scene?
3. Lines 36-40 – Based on this allusion to her husband, what might the Capulet family have become to the nurse over the years?
4. Lines 50 -57 – The nurse’s monologue establishes her character. What are your first impressions of her?
5. Shakespeare often includes comic scenes and speeches in his tragedies. The nurse laughs heartily at her husband’s joke. How would Lady Capulet react?
6. Line 62 suggests another dramatic pause. Often a director will have Juliet rush to the nurse and kiss her. Her fondness for and gaiety with her nurse must contrast with her reserve toward her mother. How should Juliet react when she speaks in line 66?
7. Line 79 – Notice that Juliet isn’t answering. How do you suppose she is feeling during the conversation between the nurse and her mother about this man that they want her to marry?
8. Line 94 – Lady Capulet has made an elegant appeal to Juliet, to persuade her to consider marrying Paris. Which images in this speech compare Paris to a fine book?
9. A character foil is a character who sets off another character by contrast so that each will stand out vividly. How does the nurse serve as a foil to Lady Capulet?
10. Line 99 – Juliet says she’ll look at Paris to see if she likes him (if liking is brought about by looking). How does she show that she is a dutiful daughter?
11. We meet Juliet for the first time in this scene – what is your first impression of her?
Act I Scene IV
1. Romeo and Mercutio are talking about love. Which character feels powerless to combat his feelings?
2. Which character believes in taking actions and being realistic about love?
3. Put this quote from Mercutio in your own words: “If love be rough with you, be rough with love” line 27.
4. Line 23 – In what ways does Mercutio show that he is a good friend to Romeo?
5. Would you want to be Mercutio’s friend?
6. 26-31- What is Mercutio putting on? Why?
7. Despite Mercutio’s teasing and Benvolio’s urging, what is Romeo determined to do at the dance? Lines 35-39
8. 48-51 – Romeo says that he has decided to attend the party despite a warning___________that he had last night. His fateful decision to attend sets in motion the rest of the plot and seals his fate.
9. Line 49 – Romeo’s mood seems to have changed abruptly, and he has a sense of doom. How would he speak this line about a dream?
10. Is Mercutio’s reply kind or sharp?
11. Mercutio, as a ringleader and a born entertainer, serves as a character foil for the more serious and emotional Romeo. Mercutio grabs everyone’s attention with this famous monologue (lines 54-95). What point is Mercutio making about dreams and their significance?
12. Draw Queen Mab:
13. What connection is there between the different visits that Queen Mab makes?
14. Line 103 – Mercutio could be comparing Romeo to the frozen north. If he is, what warning does he give his friend about remaining cold too long?
15. How has Romeo been “cold”?
16. Line 106- Romeo here expresses his feeling that something terrible will happen. Which words in his speech suggest that he is going to the party because he is in the hands of fate?
Act I Scene V
1. Lines 16-25 – How would you feel about being welcomed to a party this way?
2. Lines 52 and 53 – What is your response to Romeo’s declaration about Juliet’s beauty?
3. Line 53 – Romeo has fallen instantly in__________ with Juliet, claiming that he knows true_________ for the first time.
4. Why would we feel a sense of fear when we see Tybalt stepping onto center stage again?
5. Lines 89-92 – How do Tybalt’s actions and thoughts increase the tension in the play?
6. Line 74 – What is Capulet’s sensible reply to Tybalt’s hostility?
7. What feelings is Capulet revealing in his next speeches? Have Capulet’s feelings about the Montagues changed since Scene I?
8. Look at lines 93-106: How many lines is it?
9. What is the rhyme scheme?
10. What kind of poem is this?
11. Lines 113-117 – What is the nurse saying here?
12. In contrast to the raging Tybalt, Romeo is now at center stage with Juliet. Romeo takes Juliet’s hand, and in their next fourteen lines, the two young speakers’ words form a sonnet. Romeo pretends to be a pilgrim going to a saint’s shrine. What religious images do the two young lovers use to talk of their feelings for each other?
13. Line 100 – Romeo and Juliet bring the palms of their hands together here. What in their words suggests that this is what they are doing?
14. Line 107 – In the midst of the swirling dancers, Romeo and Juliet kiss. What do you fear as you watch, remembering that Tybalt is nearby?
15. 138-139 – What do these lines mean?
Act I Quiz – Romeo and Juliet
Name_________________
Multiple Choice:
The Prologue is a:
A. sonnet
B. Shakespearian Sonnet
C. 15 line poem
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearian Sonnet is:
A. AABB CCDD EEFF GG
B. ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH
C. ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
Romeo is:
A. a Montague
B. a Capulet
C. Neither
Juliet is:
A. a Montague
B. a Capulet
C. Neither
The girl that broke Romeo’s heart was:
A. Rosaline
B. Juliet
C. Paris
Romeo so far might be considered:
A. an optimist
B. a pessimist
C. upbeat
Juliet so far might be considered:
A. a dutiful daughter
B. to have an open relationship with her mother
C. ready to marry
Paris Lord Montague is:
A. Juliet’s father
B. Juliet’s mother
C. Romeo’s father
Benvolio is:
A. Juliet’s best friend
B. friends with Romeo
C. Juliet’s cousin
Lord Capulet
A. is the host of a party
B. is Juliet’s father
C. all answers correct
Tybalt:
A. wants to keep the peace
B. is violent
C. is friends with Romeo
In the beginning:
A. Romeo is happy
B. servants from both households are fighting
C. The prince encourages fighting
Prince Escalus:
A. hates all Montagues
B. sentenced Benvolio to death
C. warns the two households to stop fighting
The Nurse:
A. has a husband
B. has a daughter
C. considers Juliet to be a daughter
Mercutio:
A. makes fun of Romeo’s dream
B. Takes Romeo’s dream seriously
C. Does not like Romeo
Romeo’s dream:
A. is about how he will fall in love with Rosaline
B. is about how he will live happily ever after with Juliet
C. is about how he will die an untimely death
Romeo and Juliet:
A. are destined by the stars to live happily ever after
B. are destined by the stars to take their own lives
C. are destined to be together forever
Count Paris:
A. hates Tybalt
B. wants to marry Juliet
C. Is Romeo’s friend
Queen Mab:
A. visits people in their dreams
B. is a story told by Benvolio
C. is a monster
Mercutio - who is very entertaining and funny - is a character foil for:
A. Juliet
B. Romeo
C. Count Paris
The nurse – who is open with Juliet – is a character foil for
A. Lady Montague
B. Lady Capulet
C. Tybalt
Mercutio warns Romeo that if he remains cold/depressed:
A. he might lose his friends
B. he will earn Rosaline
C. Juliet will like him
Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo plan on going to a
A. Montague party
B. Capulet party
C. the prom
They plan on going:
A. with a mask
B. dressed as women
C. dressed casually
At the party:
A. they are not recognized
B. they are recognized
C. Romeo dances
Romeo:
A. dances at the party
B. has a bad time at the party
C. does not dance
At the party:
A. Tybalt sees Romeo
B. Tybalt fights Romeo
C. No one sees Romeo
Lord Capulet says at the party that:
A. Romeo must leave
B. Tybalt should not fight Romeo
C. Romeo should date his daughter Juliet
Romeo falls in love with:
A. Juliet at first sight
B. Rosaline at the party
C. Tybalt
Romeo and Juliet kiss:
A. in plain sight
B. with their feet
C. with their hands first
The first 14 lines that Romeo and Juliet speak together are a
A. Shakespearian Sonnet
B. hip-hop song
C. blatant lies
Romeo and Juliet steal a kiss
A. on the lips – twice
B. with everyone watching
C. after the party is over
Tybalt
A. is a character that Romeo may have to worry about
B. will not fight Romeo ever
C. hates all Capulets
Short Answer
What does the Prologue say ends the rage between two families in Verona?
Why do you think that Shakespeare does not say what the original cause of the violence between the two families is?
Who is Tybalt?
What does he do that is dangerous?
What warning does Prince Escalus give the street brawlers in Scene I
