| What is the poetic form of the prologue? Identify the meter and rhyme scheme? | Iambic pentameterrhyme scheme: ABABCDCDEFEFGG |
| Summarize Prologue. | Chorus gives preview of the play |
| Explain the message in the couplet. Why is it necessary? | The rest of the play will fill in the gaps |
| whose servants are Gregory and Sampson? | Capulets |
| Explain punning in the first exchange. | people in coal industry – making fun of each other |
| How does Gregory view Sampson’s bravery? How does Sampson see himself? | Gregory thinks Sampson is a coward and Sampson sees himself as brave and ruthless |
| Why didn’t Sampson want to openly provoke a quarrel? | b/c they’re scared and the law |
| To whom is the crude humor of these two servants appeal to? Why might Shakespeare have chosen to begin the play in this way? | Lower-groundlings / took hook audience in and animosity between 2 families |
| Identify Abraham and Balthasar. | Abram: Montague servantBalthasar: Romeo’s personal servant |
| “Biting someone’s thumb” | way to insult someone |
| Who is Tybalt and Benvolio? What is their first action? | Benvolio: Romeo’s first cousin and friend / draws his sword to beat down the fight Tybalt: Juliet’s cousin – always trying to start a fight |
| Compare attitudes with Capulet and Montague men with those of their wives | Men: to create a fightwives: say you’re too old to fight |
| What power does the Prince have? Why is he annoyed? What penalty does he promise? | Ruler of Rome / doesn’t like fights on his streets / death penalty |
| Why might Shakespeare have had Benvolio summarize the action thus far? is his summary accurate? | because he’s a peacemaker and he’s Romeo’s cousin / and the summary is accurate |
| Where has Romeo been scene? In what mood? why? | in the woods / he’s at home in his room / he’s depressed because of Rosaline not loving him back |
| How does Benvolio gently poke fun at Romeo? | because he is so expressive and dramatic |
| What cure does Benvolio suggest? | fine another woman |
| Who is Paris? What request has he made of Capulet? | related to Prince Esculus ~ a nobleman / Requesting Juliet’s hand in marriage |
| Explain Capulet’s response. In what way was this response atypical of the time period? | wait 2 more years to marry / women generally married young |
| To what event does Capulet invite Paris? | Capulet Party |
| What two functions does the illiterate servant serve in this scene? | Add comedy and to learn guests at the party |
| Why does Romeo agree to attend the Capulet part? What does Benvolio hope? | Rosaline is going to be there / Benvolio hopes Romeo will find another woman |
| Describe the position of the Nurse in the Capulet household. What is her personality like? | The Nurse had basically raised Juliet / crude + talkative |
| What does Juliet’s mother want to discuss with Juliet? Describe Juliet’s response. What does this response reveal about Juliet? | Possibly getting married to Paris / Juliet says she’ll try to like him – not enthusiastic / she is independent-minded |
| Why is Paris considered a good catch? | Rich, good looking, related to Prince Esculus |
| Whos is Queen Mab? Why is her story told by Mercutio? | Queen Mab: Queen of fairies and she brings dreams / brought to calm down Romeo |
| What premonition does Romeo have? | that there’s going to be some kind of terrible thing |
Discussion Questions: ROMEO AND JULIET – Prologue and Act 1
August 6, 2019