Name_______________________
Pd._______________
ROMEO AND JULIET: Act I Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in
the play.
adversary ___________________________________________________________
boisterous __________________________________________________________
nuptial _____________________________________________________________
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the play.
aside ____________________________________________________________________
Example: ____________________________________________________
blank verse ______________________________________________________________
characterization ___________________________________________________________
conflict ___________________________________________
External: 1. _______________ vs. ________________
2. _______________ vs. ________________
3. _______________ vs. ________________
Internal: 4. ________________ vs. ________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
couplet ______________________________________________________________________
epithet ______________________________________________________________________
figurative language ____________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
foil _________________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
foreshadowing _______________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
iambic meter _________________________________________________________________
iambic pentameter _____________________________________________________________
metaphor ____________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
simile _______________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
pun _________________________________________________________________________
Example: ________________________________________________________
III. Questions: answer the following questions.
Prologue:
1. Who is the long standing feud between?
2. In what city does this play take place?
3. Why are Romeo and Juliet called “star-cross’d lovers?: Hint: How does the prologue foreshadow the
ending of the play?
Scene 1:
3. Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene; why are they fighting?
4. Who tries to break up the fighting? Use a quote to prove this.
5. Who challenges the peacemaker to a fight? Use a quote.
6. Two couples arrive. How do the wives act differently than their husbands?
7. “What noise is this? Bring me my long sword, ho!”
“A cutch a crutch!!! Why call you for a sword?”
Who is this conversation between? Where and why is it happening? What is the verbal irony of
these lines?
8. “If you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”
Who says this to whom? Where and why is it said? What is the meaning and importance of these
lines?
9. Benvolio and Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting. What do they have to say about
him? What can we infer by his behavior?
10. Why is Romeo so sad? Explain.
11. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo?
Scene 2:
12. Why does Capulet think it will be easy for Montague and him to keep the peace?
13. What does Paris ask about Capulet?
14. What is Capulet’s first answer?
15. “My child is yet a stranger in this world” Who says this to whom? Where and why is it said? What
is the meaning and importance of these lines?
16. A bit later Capulet appears to change his mind about Paris’ question. What does he then tell Paris?
17. What problem does the servant have?
18. What is the name of the woman Romeo loves?
19. What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do?
Scene 3:
20. How old is Juliet?
21. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer?
22. Following Juliet’s answer, what does Lady Capulet then tell Juliet?
23. “He is a man of wax!” Who said it? Where and when? What does it mean?
Scene 4:
24. According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do?
25. What does Mercutio say about dreams?
26. What is Romeo’s mood at the end of this scene? Explain.
Scene 5:
27. “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright/” Who said it? Where and when? What does it mean?
Why is this important?
28. “Did my heart love til now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty til this night.” Who
said it? Where and when? What does it mean? Why is this important?
29. How does Tybalt recognize Romeo?
30. When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Capulet say to
Tybalt?
31. Explain what the conversation is between Romeo and Juliet.
32. How does Romeo find out Juliet’s last name?
33. How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name?
“My only love sprung from my only hate. Too early seen unknown and known too late!” Who said it?
Where and when? What does it mean? Why is this important?