Romeo and Juliet
English 1 Packet
Name
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Period _____
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ROMEO AND JULIET PACKET
The following questions should be used to guide you in your reading of the play and to insure that you
recognize important parts of the play. As you read independently, try to answer the questions as best you
can and plan to come to class seeking the answers you could not get on your own. During our class
discussions, be sure to record the answers. It is your responsibility to ask what you do not understand.
Words in bold print are vocabulary words that my also appear on a test.
Prologue
1. Who speaks the Prologue?
2. What is the purpose of the Prologue?
3. Highlight lines 5-6. Explain the importance of these two lines.
4. Why does Shakespeare tell us how the story is going to end?
5. What themes are established in the Prologue?
ACT I
Act I, Scene 1
1. Highlight I.i.65-66. Our first introduction to Benvolio comes when he says these words. What do
they reveal about his character?
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2. Highlight lines I.i.67-68. Our first impression of Tybalt occurs in these lines. What do we learn
about his character?
3. Highlight lines I.i.89-90. What is the tone of the Prince’s speech? In these lines he makes a new
decree. What is it, and why is it important?
4. When we first see Romeo he shows all the signs of a Petrarchan Lover—someone who is in love with
the idea of being in love. How does Romeo act (lines 164-173)?
5. When describing his feelings to Benvolio, Romeo uses Oxymorons—pairs of contradictory words in
lines 181-186. Why does he speak in contradictions and paradoxes?
5. We then learn that Romeo is suffering from Unrequited Love—He loves someone who does not
love him back. What suggestion does Benvolio make to Romeo to help him get over is unrequited
love for Rosaline?
Act I, Scene 2
6. In Act 1, Scene 2 Lord Capulet talks to Paris about marrying his daughter Juliet. What two reasons
does he give for not wanting Juliet to marry at this time?
a)
b)
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7. From the servant who cannot read we learn that Rosaline, with whom Romeo believes he is in love,
will be at the Capulet party. Why does this excite Benvolio? What is his plan?
8. Why does Romeo agree to go to the party?
9. What coincidence takes place in this scene? Explain what theme is being developed.
Act I, Scene 3
10. What is the nurse’s relationship with Juliet? How old is Juliet? What is Lammastide?
11. Highlight lines 66-67. What is the nurse’s one wish for Juliet and why?
12. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about being married, what is Juliet’s answer, and what
does it reveal about her character?
13. The nurse and Lady Capulet are both excited and pleased by Paris’ proposal but for different reasons.
The nurse says Paris is “a man of wax” and at the end of the scene encourages Juliet to “Go, girl, seek
happy nights to happy days.” What does the nurse see in Paris, and what does it reveal about her
attitude toward love and marriage?
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14. Lady Capulet’s lines 87-100 compose a conceit. A conceit is an extended, exaggerated comparison
or metaphor between two unlike things—in this case, between Paris and a book that needs to be
bound. What does Lady Capulet see in Paris that would make him a good match for Juliet? What is
Lady Capulet’s attitude toward love and marriage?
15. Explain Juliet’s answer to her mother when asked if she can love Paris. What does it reveal about her
knowledge of being in love? What is her attitude toward love and marriage?
Act I, Scene 4
16. Why does Romeo feel uneasy about going to the party? What dream-like premonition has he had?
17. What decision does Romeo make in lines 119-120, and what is the thematic importance of this
decision?
18. Paraphrase Romeo’s response to Mercutio’s monologue:
I fear too early; for my mind misgives __________________________________________________________________
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars_____________________________________________________________
Shall bitterly begin this fearful date ___________________________________________________________________
With this night’s revels and expire the term ____________________________________________________________
Of a despised life, closed in my breast _________________________________________________________________
By some vile forfeit of untimely death. _________________________________________________________________
But he that hath the steerage of my course _____________________________________________________________
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Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen! ___________________________________________________________________
Act I, Scene 5
19. We learn from Romeo’s soliloquy (a speech delivered while the speaker is alone, calculated to
inform the audience of what is passing in the character’s mind) that he is struck by love at first sight
when he sees Juliet at the party. Paraphrase Rome’s speech (lines 51-60). To what does he compare
Juliet?
20. How does this speech about his love for Juliet compare to his speeches about being in love with
Rosaline? How is the speech ironic?
21. Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and tries to start a fight. What two reasons does Lord Capulet give
for stopping him?
22. Highlight lines 102-103. What threat does Tybalt make as he agrees to withdraw?
23. Dramatic Irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not. What is ironic about
Juliet’s line 149?
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ACT II
Act II, Scene 2
1. In Act II, Scene 2, Juliet is on the balcony outside her bedroom but cannot hear the words that
Romeo says to himself as he looks at her from the hiding place below. Answer the following
questions about lines 2-26:
a. Romeo repeats the light and dark images he introduced when he saw Juliet for the first time.
Why does Romeo compare Juliet to the sun?
b. Why does he want the sun to kill the envious moon?
c. Why is the moon envious?
d. Why does he compare Juliet’s eyes to the stars?
e. Why is this comparison to stars another example of foreshadowing?
2. Highlight lines II.ii.36-39. Juliet is still unaware that Romeo is nearby. Paraphrase these lines.
3. Highlight and paraphrase lines II.ii.41-47. What is Juliet’s attitude toward the feud that has separated
the two families?
4. After Juliet asks some pertinent questions, she realizes that Romeo has overheard her intimate
thoughts about him. How does her attitude change in lines 90-111? What is she worried about?
5. Why does Juliet object to Romeo’s swearing on the moon?
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6. Juliet speaks of her fears in lines 123-127. What are they?
Act II, Scene 3
7. Friar Lawrence is introduced in a lengthy soliloquy in which he philosophies about nature and about
mankind. Paraphrase his speech.
8. What does Romeo tell Friar Lawrence, and what does he want from the Friar?
9. What is Friar Lawrence’s reaction to hearing of Romeo’s new love?
10. Highlight lines 97-99. What reason does Friar Lawrence give for agreeing to marry Romeo and
Juliet?
Act II, Scene 4
11. This scene shows us more of the nurse’s character as she trades quips and puns with Mercutio. What
malapropism (an inappropriateness of speech resulting from the use of one word for another which
resembles it) does the nurse use (line 129)?
12. What message does Romeo urge the nurse to give to Juliet?
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Act II, Scene 5
13. Juliet is very impatient to hear news from Romeo (lines 1-17). What images does she use in her
soliloquy to express this?
14. The nurse knows Juliet is impatient, but she keeps putting her off. Why does the nurse do this?
Act II, Scene 6
15. What does Friar Lawrence say that foreshadows the outcome and what does it mean?
16. What is Friar Lawrence’s advice to Romeo and Juliet?
ACT III
Act III, Scene 1
17. Mercutio tries to provoke Tybalt to fight. Why doesn’t Tybalt want to fight him?
18. After Tybalt insults Romeo, Romeo responds with lines 69-73. Explain his lines. What is the
“reason” Romeo has for ignoring the insult?
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19. Why does Romeo’s answer to Tybalt’s insults upset Mercutio? What does he think Romeo is doing?
20. Romeo tries to stop Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting by reasoning with them. Paraphrase what he
says.
21. Even when he is dying, Mercutio continues to joke and to make puns. Explain the pun he makes in
lines 100-108.
22. What does Romeo mean in lines 124-125?
23. After Mercutio dies, why does Romeo decide to kill Tybalt instead of accepting Mercutio’s death as
an unfortunate accident?
24. Highlight line 142. What does Romeo mean?
25. What reasoning does Lady Capulet use in begging the Prince for vengeance for Tybalt’s death?
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26. What is Lord Montagues’ reasoning in his attempt to persuade the Prince not to kill Romeo for
killing Tybalt?
27. What is the Prince’s decree, and what are the reasons he gives for making it?
Act III, Scene 2
28. In lines 42-69 the nurse confuses Juliet as she tells Juliet of the fight. What misconception does
Juliet make?
29. When Juliet receives news of Tybalt’s death, what is her first reaction?
30. How does the scene end?
Act III, Scene 3
31. Highlight line 13. What is Romeo’s reaction when he learns that he has been banished?
32. From the beginning of the play, Romeo acts impulsively. In what way is he still impulsive in this
scene (lines 114-117)?
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33. Friar Lawrence tells Romeo to count his blessings. What are they (line 145-150)?
34. Explain Friar Lawrence’s plan (lines 156-167).
Act III, Scene 4-5
35. How does Capulet's attitude in scene 4 differ from his attitude when Paris first came to ask for
Juliet's hand in marriage?
36. Explain the paradoxical phrases (a statement or situation with seemingly contradictory or
incompatible components) that are said between Juliet and Lady Capulet (lines 85-107).
37. What is Lord Capulet’s response to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris?
38. What does the Nurse advise Juliet to do? What is her reasoning?
39. After the Nurse leaves and Juliet is alone, what does Juliet decide to do?
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ACT IV
Act IV, Scene 1
1. Why is Paris visiting Friar Lawrence?
2. Juliet tells Friar Lawrence what she will do if the wedding to Paris cannot be avoided. Paraphrase
lines 51-69.
3. Summarize Friar Lawrence’s plan.
Act IV, Scene 2
4. Juliet is so convincing in her deception that her father decides to move the wedding day up from
Thursday to Wednesday. What complication does this change foreshadow?
Act IV, Scene 3
5. What are some of Juliet’s fears as she prepares to drink the potion?
Act IV, Scene 5
7. Explain the dramatic irony in Friar Lawrence's monologue in lines 65-83.
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ACT V
Act V, Scene 1
1. What premonition does Romeo have at the beginning of this scene?
2. What news does Balthasar bring? How does this disrupt the Friar’s plan?
3. What does Romeo decide to do after he hears Balthasar’s story?
Act V, Scene 2
4. What story does Friar John tell Friar Lawrence as explanation as to why he could not deliver the letter to
Romeo?
Act V, Scene 3
5. Highlight lines 94-96. What does Romeo notice about Juliet? Explain the dramatic irony.
6. What resolution do Montague and Capulet make?
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IMPORTANT LITERARY TERMS
Define each of the following and find an example of each.
ASIDE:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
MONOLOGUE:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
COMIC RELIEF:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PUN:
Example:
________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAGEDY:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
ALLUSION:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
METAPHOR:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
FORESHADOW:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PERSONIFICATION:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
SIMILIE:
Example:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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AFTER READING The Big Conclusions
1. Define tragic flaw. What are Romeo and Juliet's tragic flaws? How do their flaws lead to their
destruction?
2.
In the final scene of the play, Friar Lawrence's says to the Prince. Interpret what the speech is
saying about the Friar’s involvement in the events that occurred.
I am the greatest, able to do least.
Yet most suspected, as the time and place
Both make against me, of this direful murder;
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge
Myself condemned and myself excused.
3. 2. Give an example of a paradox in the Friar’s speech. How is it also an oxymoron?
4. Read the Prince’s speech in the final scene. Who does the Prince blame for the tragedy that has
occurred?
Capulet, Montague,
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love.
And I, for winking at your discords too,
Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.
5.
There is positive outcome that results from his accusation. What is it?
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