Romeo and Juliet
Name: ____________
Choose one questions per act
ACT ONE SCENE ONE
1. The prologue is an actual sonnet. What conflicts does it present? What events seem to be
foreshadowed in the sonnet?
2. Why is the Prince against feuding?
3. What is achieved early in this act through the use of puns?
4. Romeo is said to be in love with another as the play begins. Why might Shakespeare have
chosen to begin this play with his male lead in love with someone other than his female lead?
What are among the flattering remarks that Romeo says of Rosaline?
ACT ONE SCENE TWO
1. What details do we learn about the upcoming party?
2. Why would Benvolio wish for Romeo to crash the party?
ACT ONE SCENE THREE
1. Shakespeare presents Juliet in this scene as someone who is not yet interested in boys.
How does this change the play or influence reader opinion about future events?
2. Contrast the nurse and Juliet’s mother. Which character would you rather have as a
confidante? Why?
3. Lady Capulet feels that Juliet will eventually love Paris. How does she think this will
happen?
ACT ONE SCENE FOUR
1. Consider how the young men behave in this scene. In what ways might their behavior
be typical of young men their age?
2. What does Shakespeare accomplish in the highly considered Queen Mab speech? Do
you think it seems extraneous or overly different?
ACT ONE SCENE FIVE
1. What trouble is introduced with the introduction of Tybalt?
2. If you were the director of this play, what party elements would you emphasize for
this scene? How would you stage it?
3. Were you satisfied with Romeo’s initial exchange with Juliet? Did you find it
romantic or unrealistic? How would you react to someone who met you with such
enthusiasm and self-declared love?
Name: ____________
ACT II SCENE ONE
Choose one questions per act
1. What does the chorus communicate in the prologue? Do you agree with their message?
2. As the puns continue, Mercutio pokes fun at Romeo. Would you be upset by remarks like
those if they were directed at you and your new love interest?
ACT II SCENE TWO
1. What natural comparisons does Romeo make in flattery of Juliet? Would such flattery make
you happy or uncomfortable?
2. What do Romeo and Juliet say about the moon?
3. How does Shakespeare use pacing in this scene? What is the effect of that pacing?
ACT II SCENE THREE
1. What finally makes Friar Laurence agree to the wedding?
2. What details seem like foreshadowing in this scene?
ACT II SCENE FOUR
1. Romeo isn’t up for the usual “reindeer games” with the boys. How has he changed?
Do you think someone can change so quickly?
2. What plot points are revealed in the exchange between Juliet and her nurse?
ACT II SCENE FIVE
1. What kind of relationship is presented in this scene between Juliet and her Nurse?
2. Do you blame Juliet for being in a hurry to get married? What would you advise her
if you were the nurse?
3. The nurse has a different perspective than Juliet because of her age. What is implied or
stated about the difference between older and younger people?
ACT II SCENE SIX
1. Why do you think Shakespeare chose to keep the actual wedding from his readers and
viewers? Do you think it should have been included?
2. Pretend you are either Romeo or Juliet. Write the vow you would say to the other.
3. What message does the priest give to the young lovers? Do you think Romeo and Juliet
should have listened to him?
ACT III SCENE ONE
Choose two questions per act
1. In this scene Romeo tries not to give in to rage. Do you think he tries hard enough? Do you
blame him for the rage and vengeance that ensues?
2. How does Shakespeare use details regarding the weather in this scene?
ACT III SCENE TWO
1. What is accomplished by leaving Juliet in the dark about Romeo’s misfortune?
2. How many emotions do you think Juliet is feeling in this complicated scene? List them in the
order that she feels them.
ACT III SCENE THREE
1. The Friar tells Romeo to count his blessings. Why? Is this the advise you would want to hear
if you were Romeo?
2. What is your favorite image in this scene? What words contribute to this image?
ACT III SCENE FOUR
1. Define “dramatic irony.” Use a literary glossary if necessary. How is dramatic irony
expressed in this scene?
2. Do you feel sorry for Paris at this point? To whom is Shakespeare most sympathetic in this
scene?
ACT III SCENE FIVE
1. Do Romeo and Juliet express fear in this scene? What words make you think so or
think not?
2. Do you think the father handled the situation the way he should have? Do you think
modern people react differently to the father’s directive than the Elizabethan audience
would? What makes you think so or think not?
Name _______________________
ACT IV SCENE ONE
Choose one questions per act
1. The Friar gets more involved in this scene. Is he guilty of whatever consequences
follow?
2. Continued talk of suicide foreshadows plot events to come. But what else does such
talk accomplish?
3. The plan involves Juliet’s drinking of a potion. Would you be afraid to drink such a
potion that induces sleep and causes others to consider you dead? What are some of the
fears that some people might have?
ACT IV SCENE TWO
1. What is Juliet’s lie to her parents? What do they assume she has done?
2. Juliet is described by her father as a “wayward girl” who has returned. What does this
imply about his love for her?
ACT IV SCENE THREE
1. Is Juliet a confident or reluctant drinker? Is this what you expected of her personality?
2. What does Juliet hallucinate or imagine? What does this imply about her mental
state?
ACT IV SCENE FOUR
1. What preparations are being made in this scene? Of what is this an example?
ACT IV SCENE FIVE
1. Who is the bride said to have now wed?
2. There is much lamentation and sadness in this scene. How does each present character
differ in his/her grief?
Name ___________________________
ACT V SCENE ONE
Choose one questions per act
1. In a tragic misunderstanding, Romeo learns only part of what is true. What
specifically causes this tragedy and the actions that follow?
2. Why does the apothecary eventually give in to Romeo’s request?
ACT V SCENE TWO
1. Why didn’t the message get communicated?
2. Use your imagination and add a plot point that would even further contribute to the
irony of the situation.
3. Some have said that what followed was simply bad timing. How might such a belief
contribute to the theme of fate?
ACT V SCENE THREE
1. What happens to the Friar in this scene? How does this contribute to the problem?
2. What do you think will happen after the deaths? Is there a truce among families?
What details lead you to this conclusion?
3. What role does the Prince play in this scene and in the work at large?