R&J STUDY GUIDE
Act I
Why has the fight begun which begins the scene?
Who enters to end the fight, and what threat does he make?
How has Romeo been behaving lately? Be as specific as you can.
How does Romeo explain his mood to Benvolio? Again, be as specific as you can. Who has a tendency to tell the same stories
over and over?
Who gives a bizarre, fantastical speech about Queen Mab, the fairy who induces people to dream strange dreams?
Who informs Romeo of the masque ball at the Capulet house?
Who the woman Romeo is in love with when he arrives at the ball?
Who is negotiating with Capulet for Juliet's hand in marriage?
Who sends the Nurse to find out Romeo's name?
Who insists that Romeo’s presence at the ball must be tolerated?
Who is prevented from killing Romeo when he sees him, much to his disappointment?
Who prefers to hold the torch for his friends rather than to dance at the ball?
Who insists that Romeo should see a few more girls before resigning to misery in unrequited love?
How old is Juliet?
What does Juliet promise her mother regarding the suitor they are arranging for her to meet at the ball?
According to Capulet, what is Romeo's reputation in the town?
From what area do Romeo and Juliet draw the images in their first dialogue?
How does Juliet feel when the ball is over?
In what specific ways in Mercutio a “foil” to Romeo?
Act II
Who makes fun of the Nurse, much to her annoyance?
Who loves to hear himself talk, but doesn’t mean most of what he says?.
Who sends a threatening letter to Montague’s house?
Who openly mocks Romeo for his lovesickness?
Who predicts that Romeo will soon have to fight Tybalt?
Who warns Romeo not to mislead Juliet or to take their romance lightly?
Who the rose who, by any other name, would smell as sweet?
Who is well acquainted with various wild plants and their uses?
Who does not wish to be given elaborate promises of love?
Who warns Romeo that passionate affairs often have “violent ends”?
What plan do the young lovers make after they speak in the Capulet garden?
What does Romeo ask the Friar to do?
What does Mercutio find peculiar about Romeo’s behavior when they meet again in Scene 4?
Who acts as a messenger between Romeo and Juliet?
What event concludes Act II?
What different feelings do Romeo and Juliet express in the balcony scene? Which character speaks more cautiously about love,
and why?
Other than his desire to make Romeo and Juliet happy, what other motive does Friar Laurence have for agreeing to marry the
couple secretly?
What words or actions in this act (and the whole play, for that matter) are examples of dramatic irony?
Act III
How does Romeo unintentionally cooperate in killing Mercutio?
What curse does Mercutio repeat as he lay dying? (approximate, if you must)
Who informs the Prince that Romeo has killed Tybalt?
Who insists that Romeo should be killed?
What is Romeo’s ultimate punishment?
What misunderstanding initially distresses Juliet when the Nurse tells her of the tragedies of the day?
How does Juliet feel about Romeo at the end of the scene?
What does the nurse do to offend Juliet and end their friendship?
What actions does the killing of Tybalt set in motion, and with what tragic consequences?
Find instances where Romeo and Juliet indicate their willingness to die rather than to be separated.
Act IV
What has Paris come to discuss with Friar Laurence at the beginning of Act 4?
Under what pretense are Juliet and the priest able to speak alone?
What does Juliet threaten to do if the Friar cannot help her?
Describe the plan Friar Laurence has devised to save Juliet and to reunite her with Romeo.
How does the Friar plan to inform Romeo of this plan?
What is the situation in the Capulet house at the end of Act IV?
Act V
What news does Balthasar bring to Romeo in Mantua?
What does Romeo purchase from the Apothecary? Why has he chosen this merchant in particular? (2 points)
What does Romeo intend to do in Verona?
What unfortunate circumstances kept Friar John from delivering the message?
Where is Friar Laurence going at the end of Scene 2?
Describe what happens between Romeo and Juliet after Romeo enters the tomb.
What is the Prince’s message to the families at the end of the Act?