Romeo and Juliet
Act I Guiding Questions
Name:
English 9-1:
1. Identify the characters on the left by describing the relationship of each
to either the Capulet or Montague families. If the character is classified as
neutral, specify his/her unique affiliation.
Capulet
Montague
Mercutio
Tybalt
Balthasar
Benvolio
Romeo
Nurse
Juliet
Friar Lawrence
3. Who is Escalus? What does he say he will do to anyone who fights in the
future? (provide act, scene, and line numbers) i.e. I.i.13-19
4. According to Benvolio and Montague, how has Romeo been acting
recently? (provide act, scene, and line numbers)
5. Look closely at lines 180-188; how does Romeo describe his feelings and
behavior?
6. What remedy does Benvolio suggest for Romeo’s problem? (provide act,
scene, and line numbers)
7. What does Capulet tell Paris he will have to do in order to marry Juliet
(lines 16-19, I.ii)?
8. What makes Romeo decide to go to the party? (provide act, scene, and
line numbers)
9. What does Lady Capulet instruct Juliet to do (regarding Paris) at the
party (lines 85-100, I.iv)?
10. Lady Capulet uses extended metaphor to describe Paris—to what does
she compare Paris? (provide act, scene, and line numbers)
11. Describe the relationship between the nurse and Juliet—what is the
nurse’s role? How do you know this? (provide act, scene, and line numbers)
12. How does Romeo react when he first sees Juliet? (provide act, scene,
and line numbers)
13. When Tybalt tells Capulet that Romeo is present, what does Capulet say?
How is his response contradictory to what he should feel/say? HINT: Consider
what we know about the relationship between the Montagues and Capulets.
(provide act, scene, and line numbers)
14. How does Juliet feel about Romeo? Explain (provide act, scene, and line
numbers)
Thinking About Act I
***Complete these questions on a separate sheet of paper!
1. Are Romeo and Juliet’s first reactions to each other guided more by
reason or emotion? Explain.
2. Are Romeo and Juliet’s feelings for each other guided more by true love
or lust? Explain.
3. What do you predict might happen because of Romeo and Juliet’s love?
Explain with PROOF!