Romeo and Juliet: Act I Study Guide
Act I scene i
Tragedy: is a work of literature, especially a play that results in a catastrophe for the
main character. In ancient Greek drama, the main character was always a significant
person –a king or a hero- and the cause of the tragedy was a tragic flaw, or weakness, in
his or her character.
Chorus: The use of a chorus –a figure or group of figures who comment on a play’s
action- goes back to ancient Greek and Roman drama. In Shakespeare’s time, it was
common for a chorus to deliver a prologue –an opening speech that introduces the play’s
main characters, plot, and setting.
Dramatic Foil: is a character that contrasts with another character in a way that
highlights the traits of both.
What are the contrasting characteristics of Benvolio and Tybalt?
What are the contrasting characteristics of Romeo and Benvolio?
Social Class of the cast of characters: Like all of Shakespeare’s dramas, Romeo and
Juliet features characters from all social classes and all walks of life. The diversity of
characters on the stage reflects the diversity found within the original audiences at the
performances of the plays.
1. What punishment does the Prince announce for those involved in any future
brawls between Montagues and Capulets?
2.
According to Benvolio and Montague, how has Romeo been acting recently?
3. Why is Romeo behaving oddly?
4. What remedy does Benvolio suggest for Romeo’s problem?
5. How does Romeo’s language show his confusion in the speech on pgs 776-777
(lines 162-172)?
Act I scene ii
1. What is Count Paris trying to get Lord Capulet to agree to in their brief exchange
on pages 778-779?
2. Summarize Capulet’s objections to Paris’s request.
3. What does Capulet suggest Paris should do in regards to Juliet?
4. What does Capulet ask his servant to do? Why will his servant struggle
completing this request?
5. When does Capulet first tell Paris that Juliet will be ready to marry?
6. Who is Romeo in love with?
7. What does Benvolio suggest he and Romeo should do? Why?
Act I scene iii
Extended metaphor: in an extended metaphor, as in a regular metaphor, a writer speaks
or writes of a subject as though it were something else. An extended metaphor sustains
the comparison for several lines or for an entire poem.
1. Reread lines 16-20 and answer who Susan is? What happened to her?
2. How old is Juliet? When is her birthday?
3. What character traits about herself does the Nurse reveal in her long speeches in
this scene?
4. Explain how the Nurse is a dramatic foil to Juliet.
5. How does the information in footnote 6 help you understand the Nurse’s devotion
to Juliet?
6. In the extended metaphor Lady Capulet uses in lines 79-94, what is she
comparing? Find at least 3 references in those lines to the comparison.
7. Why has Lady Capulet come to speak to Juliet in this scene?
8. What are Juliet’s feelings toward marriage?
9. How do the Nurse and Lady Capulet feel about Paris?
10. What is the significance of lines 97-98? What do we learn about Juliet’s character
in these lines?
Act I scene iv
Foreshadowing: is the use in a literary work of clues that suggest events that have yet to
occur. This technique helps to create suspense, keeping readers wondering about what
will happen next.
1. We meet Mercutio in this scene. Who is Mercutio related to?
2. What advice about love does Mercutio give to Romeo?
3. Mercutio and Romeo are dramatic foils; contrast the personalities of these two
characters.
4. Why does Mercutio give his Queen Mab speech? What is he trying to tell Romeo
about dreams?
5. What is Romeo’s opinion about dreams? Use a quote from the scene to support
your answer.
6. There is a lot of foreshadowing in this scene. Find at least two examples of
foreshadowing and explain what they are alluding to.
Act I scene v
1. Reread lines 49-52. Here Romeo sees Juliet for the first time. Does he know who
she is? What do these lines tell us about Romeo’s character? What do these lines
tell us about the way Romeo views love?
2. Recall Tybalt’s first appearance in the play (pg 773) and compare it with his
statement in lines 53-58. Are the two scenes similar or different? Why?
3. List at least three reasons why Lord Capulet does not want Tybalt attacking
Romeo in this scene.
4. Tybalt reluctantly listens to his uncle. However what do his parting words (lines
88-91) mean and foreshadow?
5. How are Juliet and Romeo’s thoughts similar after they find out who each other
are?