Romeo and Juliet Act I

What are two different meanings for the word “fatal”? What double meaning does “fatal” have in context of the Prologue? Causing death; lead to failure or disaster”From forth the fatal loins of these two foes”1. Fateful/inevitable2. Death by their families
Explain why and how Romeo and Juliet are called “star-cross’d lovers”? The term “star-cross’d” means inevitably doomed so the audience should understand that Romeo and Juliet’s love is doomed from the beginning
Why would the verbal fight between the servants of the Montagues and the Capulets turn physical when their masters entered the scene? It turned physical because they wanted to prove their honor and loyalty towards each of their serving families.
Who tries to break up the fighting? How does Tybalt react to this? Benvolio; Tybalt does not want the fight to be broken up because his hot-headed temper calls for revenge.
What threat does Escalus the Prince of Verona make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet? If the families are caught fighting in the streets of Verona again, execution will take place for the guilty parties.
When Romeo sees that there had been a fight he states, “Here’s much to do with hate but more with love”. What does he mean by this? This line basically describes the central theme of the play. In one sense, the play is about the hatred b/w the Montague and Capulet families. Yet, the play is more about love; love b/w Romeo and Juliet and the way love eventually triumphs over hate.
Why is Romeo so melancholy (sad)? He is deeply in love with Rosaline and she refuses to love him back.
What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? How does he suggest Romeo do this? Benvolio’s advice is to forget about Rosaline. He suggests Romeo do this by telling him to “examine other beauties”.
What does Paris ask of Capulet? What is Capulet’s first answer? Paris asks if he can date(court) Juliet. Capulet ‘s first answer was not right now b/c Juliet is too young.
What does Paris say in response? What can you infer about this setting and society from this response? Paris says that there are many girls younger than Juliet who are already wives and mothers. You can infer that parents married their daughters at a very young age. Sometimes as young as 12 years old.
What is the name of the woman Romeo loves? What is she like? How does Romeo describe her? -Rosaline-She has declared that she will never love a man.-Romeo says there is no match to her beauty found in the world.
What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do after meeting with the page? They decide to go to the party/feast at the Capulet house
What kind of mother is Lady Capulet? What kind of relationship does the Nurse have with Juliet? -Lady Capulet doesn’t spend much time with her daughter and doesn’t know very much about her.-The Nurse has basically raised Juliet since she was a baby and knows everything there is to know about Juliet.
When lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer? Why would this be Juliet’s answer? -She hasn’t thought of marriage/doesn’t care about it.-She feels like she’s too young to be thinking of marriage.
Does Lady Capulet listen to Juliet’s response? No. She tells Juliet to think of marriage b/c Paris wanted to marry her.
According to Mercutio, who/what is Queen Mab? What does she/it do? Queen Mab is a fairy that brings dreams to people while they sleep. She makes them dream of all kinds of different things.
What do Mercutio and Romeo say about dreams at the end of the scene 4? Romeo says that he had a dream that indicated something bad was going to happen at the party. Mercutio said that dreams don’t have any meaning to them.
What does Romeo “fear” at the end of scene 4? How does this foreshadow the rest of the story? -Something bad will come from attending the Capulet party.-They both commit suicide in the end.
What was Romeo’s initial reaction to Juliet? Romeo sees Juliet and forgets about Rosaline (a.k.a. love at first sight)
How does Tybalt recognize Romeo? Why would Romeo’s presence at the party be considered an insult? -By his voice-Families hate each other; he had the nerve to show up at their house.
Why does Capulet call Tybalt a “princox”? What does this mean? Why would this be insulting to Tybalt? Princox: Cocky boy-Tybalt thinks he can kill Romeo w/o any consequences-Lord Capulet was taking Romeo’s side and not his
What great realization do both Romeo and Juliet make at the end of Act I? Romeo realizes that Juliet is a Capulet and Juliet realizes Romeo is a Montague