ACT ONE | Scene I

1. Study Questions ACT ONE | Scene I

2. What is the purpose of the prologue? 1. 1. Introduce setting Basic plot Conflict and theme ACT ONE | Scene I

3. Between what two families does the feud exist? 2. capulets and montagues ACT ONE | Scene I

4. Why does Shakespeare begin the play with a quarrel? 3. Establish the Intensity of the conflict - even the Servants hate each other ACT ONE | Scene I

5. What decree does Prince Escalus make? 4. 4. If there is one more fight because of the Montagues’ and Capulets’ feud, someone will be punished by death. ACT ONE | Scene I

6. How does Montague react to his son’s recent behavior? 5. 5. He is concerned ACT ONE | Scene I

7. What is Romeo’s mood in scene one and why? 6. 6. The girl he loves doesn’t love him. Sad, moody and lovesick ACT ONE | Scene I

8. What advice does Benvolio give Romeo? 7. 7. Forget about the girl; move on. ACT ONE | Scene I

9. Study Questions ACT ONE | Scene II

10. How does Capulet respond to Paris’ proposal to marry Juliet? 1. 1. He thinks his daughter is too young. They need to wait a couple years and make sure they’re in love. ACT ONE | Scene II

11. What does this conversation tell us about Paris’ personality? 2. He is pushy and very interested in marrying Juliet ACT ONE | Scene II

12. How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about the Capulet’s ball? 3. The illiterate servant asks them to read the invitation. ACT ONE | Scene II

13. What argument does Benvolio use to convince Romeo to go to the party? 4. 4. Romeo can compare Rosaline to other girls and see she is not the prettiest. ACT ONE | Scene II

14. Why does Romeo say he will go? 5. 5. So he can see Rosaline ACT ONE | Scene II

15. Study Questions ACT ONE | Scene III

16. What is Lammastide? On what date does it come? 1. 1. A holiday celebrating the summer harvest August 1 ACT ONE | Scene III

17. How old is Juliet? 2. ACT ONE | Scene III

18. Why does the servant speak in prose? 3. To distinguish the educated characters from the uneducated. ACT ONE | Scene III

19. What purposes do the nurse’s speeches serve? 4. 4. ACT ONE | Scene III

20. What is Juliet’s attitude about marriage with Paris? 5. 5. She is not interested because she doesn’t even know him, and she’s never considered marriage before. ACT ONE | Scene III

21. Study Questions ACT ONE | Scene IV

22. When and where does this scene take place? 1. 1. Outside in the streets, in the evening, right before the Capulet party ACT ONE | Scene IV

23. How do Romeo and Mercutio contrast toward life? 2. Romeo is very serious and emotional. Mercutio is funny and takes everything lightly. ACT ONE | Scene IV

24. Why is it important that the men wear masks? 3. The montagues would not be welcome at the Capulet's party ACT ONE | Scene IV

25. Why does Romeo ask for a torch? 4. He doesn’t want to dance or have fun – he wants to be a “candleholder and look on” ACT ONE | Scene IV

26. Explain Mercutio’s speech. Who is Queen Mab? 5. Queen Mab is a fairy who gets into men’s brains while they sleep and controls their dreams. ACT ONE | Scene IV

27. Study Questions ACT ONE | Scene V

28. Where does this scene take place? 1. At the Capulet's house ACT ONE | Scene V

29. Who is Romeo talking about in lines 43-52? Explain the irony in these lines. 2. Juliet; before the party he thought he would never get over Rosaline, but now he says, “I never saw true beauty till this night” about Juliet. ACT ONE | Scene V

30. Why does Tybalt become so upset, and how does Capulet respond to his rage? 3. He recognizes Romeo’s voice and is angry that a Montague is at a Capulet party. Capulet does not want Tybalt to react or start a fight. ACT ONE | Scene V

31. What form of poetry does Shakespeare use in the dialogue between Romeo and Juliet in their first conversation? 4. Shakespearean sonnet ACT ONE | Scene V

32. What forces are brought into conflict in this scene? 5. Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love before they know they are from feuding families. ACT ONE | Scene V

33. What is the atmosphere at the end of this scene? 6. Chaotic; everyone leaving the party ACT ONE | Scene V

34. What do Romeo and Juliet discover after they kiss? 7. The other’s identity ACT ONE | Scene V

35. Study Questions ACT TWO | Scene I

36. What is the purpose of the prologue in Act II? 1. To remind the audience that Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline has ended. He now loves Juliet, who loves him back. Act II – Prologue

37. Why does Romeo hide from Mercutio and Benvolio? 1. He wants to go back and see Juliet again. Act II – Scene 1

38. Do you think they realize Romeo found a new love? Why or why not? 2. No, because they are still referring to his love for Rosaline. Act II – Scene 1

39. Romeo compares Juliet’s eyes to the stars. This is an example of what literary element? 1. METAPHOR Act II – Scene 2

40. How does Romeo find out that Juliet shares his feelings of love? 2. She speaks of her love for him before she knows he is below her balcony listening. Act II – Scene 2

41. How does Juliet react when she first hears Romeo? Why? 3. She is embarrassed that he heard her talking about him; she is worried for his safety. Act II – Scene 2

42. Why doesn’t Juliet want Romeo to swear by the moon? 4. The moon is always changing; she doesn’t want his love to be changing all the time. Act II – Scene 2

43. How does Juliet feel about the promises of love just made? 5. She feels it is too fast, too sudden. Act II – Scene 2

44. What does Juliet tell Romeo to do? 6. Send a message to her the next day if he wants to marry her. Act II – Scene 2

45. Juliet says that “parting is such sweet sorrow.” This is an example of what literary element? 7. ALLITERATION: the use of the same initial sound in a series of words. Act II – Scene 2

46. What is Friar Laurence doing at the beginning of this scene? 1. Gathering flowers and herbs in his garden Act II – Scene 3

47. What proposal does Romeo make to the Friar? 2. That he marry Romeo and Juliet that day Act II – Scene 3

48. What doubts does Friar Laurence have? 3. It’s not true love – he knows Romeo was lovesick over Rosaline the day before. Act II – Scene 3

49. Why does Friar Laurence finally accept? 4. He’s hoping it will bring peace to the feuding families. Act II – Scene 3

50. Who has sent a challenge to Romeo and why? 1. Tybalt, because Romeo was at the Capulet feast. Act II – Scene 4