ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Romeo and Juliet
Study Guide – Act I
Prologue:
1. In what city does this play take place?
The plays takes place in the Italian city of Verona.
2. Why are Romeo and Juliet called “Star-cross’d lovers?”
Romeo and Juliet are considered star-crossed lovers because fate has brought
them together, yet their families are at war with one another and they will never
be able to be together; therefore, fate will also tear them apart.
Act I, Scene I:
1. Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene?
In the beginning of Act I Scene I, a fight occurs between the Capulets and the
Montagues. The fight is between Sampson (Capulet), Gregory (Capulet),
Abraham (Montague, and Balthazar (Montague). Later in the scene Benvolio
(Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet) fight.
2. Who tries to break up the fighting?
Benvolio tries to break up the fighting but ends up joining the fight against Tybalt.
3. What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?
The Prince is tired of the fighting and threatens to execute anyone that becomes
involved in a fight in the streets.
4. Benvolio and Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting. What do they
have to say about him?
Benvolio and Montague talk about how depressed Romeo seems to be the last few
days. Romeo is refusing to talk to anyone walking morosely through the gardens
crying. Montague describes him as a flower that refuses to open up.
5. Why is Romeo so sad? Explain.
Romeo is in love with a woman named Rosaline. Rosaline has sworn that she will
never love a man and wishes to join a convent (to become a nun). Romeo is sad
that she does not love him back. Romeo feels alone and tells Benvolio that he will
never be in love with another woman.
6. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo?
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Benvolio advises Romeo to “Forget to think of her.” Benvolio also tells Romeo to
look elsewhere and “examine other beauties.” This is similar to the expression,
“there are other fish in the sea.”
7. Who is Rosaline?
Rosaline is the mystery woman that Romeo is in love with. Rosaline is never seen
in the play and is only mentioned in dialogue. Rosaline has vowed to remain
“chaste,” meaning see wishes to remain a virgin forever and become a nun.
8. Summarize the scene.
- Play opens with a fight between the Capulets and the Montagues
- The Prince issues a decree that anymore fighting equals death
- Romeo is sad because he is in love with a woman that does not love him
- Introduced to several important characters in the play
- Rosaline is the mystery woman Romeo is in love with
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Romeo and Juliet
Study Guide – Act I
Act I, Scene II:
1. Why does Capulet think it will be easy for Montague and him to keep the peace?
Capulet thinks it will be easy for both he and Montague to keep the peace because the are
both old men.
2. What does Paris ask Capulet?
Paris asks Capulet if he has thought about his request to marry his daughter Juliet.
3. What is Capulet’s first answer?
Capulet tells Paris at first that his daughter his daughter is too young to be married and
that he must wait until “two more summers have withered in their pride.”
4. A bit later Capulet appears to change his mind about Paris’ question. What does he
then tell Paris?
Capulet appears to change his mind later in the scene by telling Paris to attend the party
that he is putting together. Capulet tells Paris that he should “woo” Juliet and win her
heart. In other words, if Juliet falls in love with Paris then he will consent to the
marriage.
5. What problem does the servant have?
The problem the servant Peter has is that he is unable to read. Peter is illiterate.
6. What is the name of the woman Romeo loves?
Romeo continues to be in love with the mysterious Rosaline.
7. What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do?
Romeo and Benvolio decide to go to Capulet’s party. Both Benvolio and Romeo are
Montagues and would not be welcomed at the party; however, it is a costume party and
their identities will be disguised.
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
8. Summarize the Scene.
- Paris meets with Capulet about marrying his daughter
- Capulet throws a party
- Peter the illiterate servant invites Romeo and Benvolio
- Romeo and Benvolio decide to attend the party
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Act I, Scene III:
1. How old is Juliet?
Juliet is only thirteen years old. Juliet will be fourteen years old in a few weeks according
to the nurse and her mother’s calculation.
2. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer?
When Juliet is asked about marriage she replies, “It is an honor I think not of.”
3. Following Juliet’s answer, what does Lady Capulet then tell Juliet?
After hearing Juliet’s answer, Lady Capulet tells her she should start thinking about
marriage. Lady Capulet states that many girls her age are married and have children.
Lady Capulet also mentions that she had Juliet at the age and she should think about
marrying Paris who is interested in her.
4. Summarize the Scene.
- Introduced to the nurse in this scene
- Discover Juliet really is not interested in marriage
- The party begins
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Act I, Scene IV:
1. According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do?
Queen Mab is a fairy that rides in a chariot formed out of a hazelnut shell and is pulled
by various animalsd (and their skeletons). Queen Mab comes during the night when
people are sleeping and causes them to have dreams (which Mercutio states are false).
2. What does Mercutio say about dreams?
Mercutiothinks that dreams are “the children of an idle brain.” He believes that dreams
are completely made up and result from not thinking (or occur when sleeping when the
brain is idle). Daydreams would be caused from an idle brain (or one that is off-task).
3. What is Romeo’s mood at the end of the scene? Explain.
At the end of the scene, Romeo appears to be more melancholy as he begins to have a
bad feeling about the events of the night. Romeo foreshadows his own death in line 110 of
the scene.
4. Summarize the Scene.
-
Mercutio speaks about dreams
Romeo is still saddened by his love for Rosaline
The three (Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio) prepare to enter the party
Romeo foreshadows his own death
ANSWERS TO STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
Act I, Scene V:
1. What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her?
Romeo states that her beauty is striking. He states, “she doth teach the torch to burn
bright…like a rich jewel from the Ethiopes ear.” What he is saying is that he has never
seen another person as beautiful as she.
2. How does Tybalt recognize Romeo?
Tybalt recognizes Romeo by the way he speaks. He states, “This, by his voice, should be
a Montague.” Romeo apparently has an accent that is easily recognized.
3. When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does
Capulet say to Tybalt?
Capulet tells Tybalt, “Content thee, gentle coz,. Let him alone… bears him like a portly
gentleman… and uis well-governed.” In other words, Capulet is telling Tybalt that
Romeo is behaving himself at the party and is being well mannered gentleman. Tybalt is
to let him alone.
4. Explain the conversation between Romeo and Juliet.
The conversation between Romeo and Juliet is metaphoric in nature. There are many
references in relation to religion. He states that his “rough hand” is not worthy of
touching Juliet’s “holy” hands. He then states that if she is offended by his touch, he is
ready to kiss that “offense” away. The conversation is very similar to conversations
between two teenagers that are flirting.
5. How does Romeo find out Juliet’s name?
Romeo finds out Juliet’s name from the nurse.
6. How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name?
Juliet sends the Nurse to ask Romeo his name. The Nurse finds out that he is a Montague.
7. Summarize the Scene.
- Juliet and Romeo meet
- They kiss for the first time and flirt
- Both find out their families hate eachother