Romeo and Juliet Act I

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
August 23, 2019