Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene? With which family do they associate? | Abraham (Montague) and Sampson (Capulet). Benvolio and Mercutio with Tyblat |
Who tries to break up the fighting? | Benvolio breaks up the fight between Abraham and Sampson. |
What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet? | If they ever disturb the peace of the streets again, their lives will “pay the forfeit of the peace.” |
Benvolio and Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting. What do they have to say about him? | He’s acting strange and he is very depressed. |
Why is Romeo so sad? Explain. | He is in love with Rosaline, but she took a vow of chastity |
What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? | Go find someone else to love. |
What does Benvolio’s name mean? Does his name fit him? | It means benevolent or kind-hearted. Yes, he’s always keeping peace. Good-will |
What does Paris ask Capulet? | He asks Capulet if he can marry Juliet. |
What is Capulet’s first answer? | She is a stranger in the world, she is too young. |
A bit later. Capulet appears to change his mind about Paris’ question. What does he then tell Paris? | If he can win her over, she can be his bride. |
Describe Juliet’s nurse. | She has taken care of her since she was an infant and she has a very close relationship with her. She is also used as comic relief in the play. |
What is the name of the woman Romeo loves? | Rosaline |
What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do? How did they get “invited”? | Benvolio convinces Romeo to go to the party that was only for Capulets. Romeo meets a Capulet man named Peter who says that they are allowed to come as long as they aren’t Montagues. The messenger also can’t read the letters. |
Capulet to Paris: “My child is yet a stranger in he world/she hath not seen the change of fourteen years” (1.2.8-9). What does Capulet mean? How old is Juliet? | 13, almost 14. |
When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer? | It is an honor she hasn’t yet dreamed of. |
Following Juliet’s answer, what does Lady Capulet then tell Juliet? | Lady Capulet compares Juliet to other girls in Verona that are younger than her and are mothers. She also tells Juliet that when she was Juliet’s age, she was already a mother. |
Juliet has a lengthy conversation with her mother. Describe their relationship. What kind of daughter is Juliet? What kind of mother is Lady Capulet? | It is very formal. It is not the typical “mother-daughter” relationship in today’s society. |
According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do? | She is the fairy’s midwife and she gives people dreams. |
What does Mercutio say about dreams? | Dreams are for the idle brain. |
What is Romeo’s mood at the end of this scene? Explain. | He is embarrassed after Mercutio made fun of him and his dreams. He feels something is going to happen. |
What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her? | He thinks she is beautiful. She is like the sun. |
How does Tybalt recognize Romeo? | By the way he talks. |
When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Capulet say to Tybalt? | To enjoy the night and let Romeo stay. He says Romeo is a good Montague. |
Explain what the conversation is between Romeo and Juliet. | Romeo is persuading Juliet to kiss him and that it is holy, not a sin. They’re also talking lots about love. It is in sonnet form. |
How does Romeo find out Juliet’s last name? | Romeo asks the nurse. |
How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name? | She asks the nurse to find out and the nurse asks Tybalt. |
Juliet: “My only love, sprung from my only hate./ Too early seen unknown, and known too late.”(1.5.145-148)What does Juliet mean? What literary device does Shakespeare employ in Juliet’s lines? What is the effect? | Paradox. The only person she loves is of the only family her family hates. It creates the mood that her love or her life is doomed. |
The nurse, Lady Capulet and Juliet all have different views on marriage. Describe each view. | The nurse is worried about the look of the guy. Lady Capulet wants a person who will have children with Juliet. Juliet is not ready for marriage and doesn’t want to get married at this time. |
What city is the setting for the play? | It takes place in Verona Italy. |
What is the format of the prologue? | It is a sonnet form |
Romeo and Juliet Act I
August 23, 2019