Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo and Juliet—Act 1
Genre Focus
Although this play is often referred to as "Romeo and Juliet," its full title is
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Use the "Literary Terms Handbook" that
begins on page R1 at the back of the textbook to define tragedy.
A tragedy is a (1) _________ in which a main character (2) _________ a
downfall. The character, the (3) _________ hero, often is a person of dignified
or heroic stature. This downfall may result from outside forces or from a
(4) _________ within the character, which is known as a tragic flaw.
Build Background
Read "Build Background" on p. 649. Then, explain the background of the
play.

Shakespeare (5) _________ the story of Romeo and Juliet from an old tale.

The events in the play take place during the (6) _________ in Verona and
Mantua, two cities in northern Italy, in the 1300's.

The characters Romeo and Juliet come from two (7) ______________ families
who are embroiled in a bitter feud. In Italy during the 1300s, such feuds
between families were common.

Italian families were extended to include brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
nieces, nephews, cousins, and even servants. All these members of a
(8) _________ might become involved in a vendetta, a (9) _________
between two families often ignited by a murder and continued by acts of
revenge.
Prologue (page 652)
In the prologue, Shakespeare tells his audience what they are to expect in
the play. Why do you suppose Shakespeare chooses to use this technique?
The (10) _________ is a technique that does remove some of the suspense, but
it enables the reader and audience members to (11) _________on the language
and actions that take place.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo and Juliet—Act 1

Where is the setting of the play?
(12) _________, Italy – summer 1300's

Put the following lines into your own words:
"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;"
Born into these two feuding families are two (13) _________ who are destined
by Fate to become lovers and will commit (14) ____________.

What does the term "star-cross'd lovers" suggest?
The Elizabethans thought the stars influenced destiny or fate; "star-cross'd
lovers" suggests that the couple's love and death is written in the stars. It is
their destiny to not only cross each other's paths but also to be unlucky in love.
The belief that Fate and destiny control life is one of the major themes of this
play.

Put these lines into your own words:
"Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
Doth, with their death, bury their parents' strife."
At the end of their unfortunate adventure, Romeo and Juliet (15) _________ ;
with their death, they bury the (16) _________ between their families.

What is the rhyme scheme of the prologue? What do you notice about
the pattern that emerges? Why do you think Shakespeare does this?
The rhyme scheme is: (17) __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __
__ __ __ __
__ __ —a Shakespearean sonnet. In addition to the (18) _________ plays
Shakespeare wrote, he also wrote (19) _________ sonnets. In short, he's
showing off his signature move.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo and Juliet—Act 1
Act 1, Scene 1 – Early morning. A public square in Verona.
This scene begins with a street fight between the servants of two prominent families, the
(20)___________________ and the (21) __________________, who are locked in a
bitter feud. (22) ____________—Romeo's cousin—tries to break up the fight by
drawing his own sword. In response, (23) ___________ —Juliet’s cousin—questions
Benvolio's attempts at peace and threatens to kill him. Because this Capulet-Montague
feud has disturbed the peace too often, the Prince of Verona bans further
(24) ____________. In fact, the next person to break the peace will pay with his
(25) __________.
Lady Montague, glad that Romeo has missed the fight, asks Benvolio if he has seen
Romeo. Benvolio replies that he saw (26) __________, sometime before sunrise, but
he fled into the forest upon first glimpse of Benvolio. When Lord Montague explains that
Romeo has been acting strange lately, Benvolio swears that he will find out what is the
matter.
After being pestered by Benvolio, Romeo admits that he is depressed. He is in love with
Rosaline, who refuses to return his love because she plans to be a nun. In the end,
Benvolio advises Romeo to forget about Rosaline and look for someone else, but Romeo
responds that he will never be able to forget her.
Act 1, Scene 2—Later that afternoon. A street near Capulet's house in Verona.
After the street fight, Paris, who is a relative of the Prince, asks of Lord Capulet for
Juliet's hand in (27) _______________. In response, Capulet says that Juliet is too
(28)_____________. She's not yet fourteen, but in two years they can marry if she is
willing. Paris reminds him that girls younger than she are not only married but also
mothers. Nevertheless, Capulet tells him that (29) __________ is the only child he has
left, so he will not force her into a marriage she does not want. Instead, Capulet tells
Paris to win her heart and invites him to attend a (30) __________ that night where he
can court her.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo and Juliet—Act 1
Act 1, Scene 3 – Later that evening, before the party. A room in Capulet's
house.

Juliet will turn 14 on Lammas-eve. What is the Lammas-tide the women
speak of?
Lammas Day was a (31) __________ celebrated on August 1st as a day when
the first ripe grains were blessed by priests. Lammas-eve, Juliet's birthday,
would then be on July 31st.

The Nurse quotes the vulgar remark that her husband made to young
Juliet and then, she likes it so much that she repeats it. What do the
Nurse's indecent remarks in front of the family indicate about their
relationship?
The Nurse seems to be a confidante of both mother and (32) __________ .
Therefore, she can say just about anything she pleases without getting into
trouble.

What does Lady Capulet tell Juliet? What is Juliet's response?
Lady Capulet explains that Paris wants to (33) __________ Juliet. Lady
Capulet also tells her daughter that Paris is a handsome man and a fine catch,
so Juliet should look him over tonight at the party and think about it. Juliet
hadn't considered (34) ____________ before now but says she will do as her
mother asks.
Act 1, Scene 4—Later that night. A street in Verona.
OMIT this scene; instead, read the summary on p. 668
Romeo enters with his friend (35) __________ , his cousin (36) __________, and
several others. They are on their way to crash the (37) __________’s party.
Conveniently, the party is a masquerade ball, so Romeo and his friends are able to wear
masks that conceal their (38) __________. Although the other partygoers are excited
to attend, Romeo is not. He believes that going to this party will initiate a chain of
events that may end in his untimely death. Knowing how the story ends, this fear is an
example of (39) ____________.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo and Juliet—Act 1
Act 1, Scene 5 – Immediately following the previous scene. A hall in Capulet’s
house.

How does Romeo respond to seeing Juliet for the first time?
Romeo describes Juliet as being the most (40) _____________ woman he has
ever seen and concludes that he’d NEVER been in love before this moment! This
response is exactly what Benvolio predicted would happen.

What is Tybalt's reaction when he hears Romeo's voice?
When Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice, he vows to (41) _____________
him.

What does Lord Capulet say to Tybalt in reference to Romeo's presence
at the party?
Lord Capulet informs Tybalt that (42) _________ has a good reputation; in fact,
the people of Verona brag about how dignified and honorable he is. Lord Capulet
vows to not be disrespectful toward Romeo and advises Tybalt to (43) ________
him and have a good time at the party.

Mark the rhyme scheme for lines 91-104 on p. 675. What do you notice
about the pattern that emerges? Why do you think that Shakespeare
does this?
The rhyme scheme is (44): __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __
__ __ __ __
__ __. The flirtation between Romeo and Juliet work together to comprise a
Shakespearean (45) ___________. Shakespeare used this form here to not only
show off his signature move but to also indicate how well suited for each other
Romeo and Juliet are. In short, they quite literally make beautiful music
together.
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