Nexus resource
Romeo and Juliet Act I
Scene summaries
Subject:
Age range:
Topic:
English
12–14, 15–16
Romeo and Juliet
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2015
Source | This resource was originally developed by Ruth Wilson and Paula Murphy, Selly Park Technology
College for Girls, Birmingham, and has been adapted by EAL Nexus. Images taken from Self-Made Hero’s
Manga Shakespeare series.
Romeo and Juliet Act 1:
Scene summaries
Prologue
The Chorus talks about two rich and powerful families who live in a town called
Verona. The two families are called the Montagues and the Capulets. The two
families hate each other.
Key words or phrases with pictures
two families
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Chorus
Meaning
A person who tells some of the story
of the play
to hate
hate each other
rich and powerful
Verona
Scene 1
The name of a town in Italy
A street in Verona
There is a fight between the servants of the Montagues and the Capulets. The
Prince of Verona (Prince Escalus) says he will execute anyone who fights in the
streets. Lord Montague and his wife ask Benvolio if he knows what is wrong
with their son, Romeo. Benvolio says he will talk to Romeo. He finds out Romeo
is in love with a girl called Rosaline who does not love him.
©British Council 2015
Key words or phrases with pictures
Benvolio
a fight
Lord Montague
servants of the Capulets
Lady Montague
Prince Escalus
Romeo
servants of the Montagues
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
to execute
in love with
what is wrong
Scene 2
Lord Capulet’s house
A man called Paris asks if he can marry Capulet’s daughter, Juliet. Capulet says
she is too young – only 13 – but he will ask her. Capulet sends a servant to
invite a list of people to a party at his house. The servant can’t read and asks
Romeo and Benvolio to help. They see Rosaline’s name on the list and decide
to go to the party.
Key words or phrases with pictures
Lord Capulet
Paris
©British Council 2015
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
can't read
to decide
to invite
a list of people
to marry
party
too young
Scene 3
Lord Capulet’s house
Lady Capulet tells Juliet that Paris wants to marry her. Juliet says she will follow
her parents’ advice. Juliet’s Nurse is very excited.
Key words or phrases with pictures
Juliet
Juliet’s Nurse
Lady Capulet
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Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
excited
to follow advice
parents
to tell
Scene 4
A street in Verona
Romeo and his friends Benvolio and Mercutio laugh and joke on the way to the
party.
Key words or phrases with pictures
Mercutio
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
on the way
to laugh and joke
©British Council 2015
Scene 5
Lord Capulet’s house
Lord Capulet is having a party. Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) sees Romeo and wants
to throw him out of the house. Lord Capulet won’t let him, because it is a party.
Tybalt is very angry and decides to fight Romeo next time they meet. Romeo
and Juliet meet and fall in love. They talk to each other and kiss. When they
find out each other’s name they are shocked because their families are
enemies.
Key words or phrases with pictures
Tybalt
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
enemies
to fall in love
to find out
to kiss
won't let him
to meet
shocked
©British Council 2015
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
very angry
to throw him out
Prologue
The Chorus talks about how Romeo’s feelings have changed. He doesn’t love
Rosaline any more; he loves Juliet.
Key words to translate
Word or phrase
Translation
Meaning
any more
to change
feelings
©British Council 2015