Act 1
1. According to the Prince in scene one, in what ways has the feud between the Capulets and Montagues affected
the city of Verona?
Innocent people in the city of Verona are dying because of their fights; everyone’s sick
of it & want them to stop.
2. Cite the lines that indicate how the Prince feels about the feuding. What warning does the Prince give to the
two families?
“If ever you disturb our streets again / your lives will pay the forfeit of the peace.”
If they fight again, he will kill them!
(l. 90-91)
3. Benvolio is the peacemaker in the play. His name comes from the Latin words “bene”, which means “good”,
and “volo”, which means “I wish”. Find a line that shows Benvolio’s personality.
“I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword / or manage it to part these men with me.”
(l. 62-63)
4. How is Tybalt’s personality different from Benvolio’s? Cite a line that suggests he wants the feud between the
two families to continue.
He is hotheaded & loves to fight – quick temper. “What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate
the word / As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee.”
(l. 64-65)
5. In scene one, explain how Benvolio and Lord Montague describe Romeo’s mood.
Romeo is depressed, cries all the time, stays out all night, locks himself in his room during
the day & covers up the windows to make it dark.
6. What do we learn about Lord Montague’s personality from his conversation with Benvolio in scene one?
He is a concerned and loving father – wants to know what’s going on with his son Romeo.
7. What reason does Romeo give for his mood?
He’s in love with someone who doesn’t love him back.
8. What advice does Benvolio give Romeo?
Benvolio says he should forget about the woman he claims to love and look around for
someone else who is more available.
9. In scene two, why does Romeo agree to go to the Capulet party?
Because Rosaline is going to be there and he wants to see her.
10. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to go to the party?
He wants him to look at other beautiful women to get Rosaline out of his head.
11. How does Lord Capulet feel about the family feud at this time in his life?
He’s getting tired of the fighting and thinks it shouldn’t be hard to keep the peace.
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12. Why has Paris come to see Lord Capulet?
He wants to marry Juliet & asks Capulet for her hand.
13. What is Capulet’s reply to Paris?
He feels Juliet’s too young for marriage & suggests he waits two more years. He says if Paris
can “woo” Juliet & get her to fall in love with him & agree to the marriage, then Capulet will
consent.
14. How old is Juliet?
13; not quite 14
15. What happened to Nurse’s daughter? [Be specific!]
She died in an earthquake 11 years ago (along with Nurse’s husband) – an infant.
16. Why does Nurse ramble on about Juliet? What does it tell us about the relationship between Juliet & Nurse?
Because she cares about Juliet & sees her as a daughter of her own (they are probably closer
than Juliet & her mother).
17. How does Juliet feel about getting married?
She doesn’t want to get married.
18. Would it be a compliment to be called a “man of wax”?
Yes! Basically, it means you couldn’t make a better-looking man out of wax if you wanted to.
19. In scene four, what does Mercutio suggest Romeo do to improve his mood?
Go dancing at the masquerade ball / check out the other “hotties” there.
20. What does Mercutios’ speech about Queen Mab reveal about his personality?
He’s talkative, poetic, imaginative, and likes to poke fun (especially at Romeo).
21. In Romeo’s last speech in scene four, what technique is being used? Paraphrase his speech (i.e. What does his
speech mean?). What does it say about fate?
Foreshadowing – he has a feeling that something is going to happen at or after the party
that will lead to his death later on. This reflects the idea Romeo believes fate will determine
his destiny & he has no control over what will happen.
22. In scene five, what lines indicate how we know that Romeo was not really in love with Rosaline?
“Did my heart love till now / Foreswear it, sight! / For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”
(l. 51-52)
23. When Romeo first sees Juliet, to what three things does he compare her?
Torch, jewel, dove.
24. How does Tybalt react to Romeo’s presence at the party during scene five?
He wants to fight him & kick him out of the Capulet house.
25. What is Lord Capulet’s response to Tybalt’s reaction in #24?
He’s an upstanding citizen and doesn’t cause any trouble; wants Tybalt to leave him alone.
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26. Describe Capulet’s personality by giving three different personality traits with examples from this act.
1. reasonable = wants the fighting to end; tells Tybalt to cool it
2. loving father = wants Juliet to marry someone she loves & when she’s more mature
3. hospitable/friendly = allows Romeo to stay at the party
27. Explain the circumstances of Romeo and Juliet meeting in scene five.
They meet at Capulet’s party and kiss for the first time.
28. In what way does each find out the identity of the other?
From Nurse – she tells them who each other is.
29. Explain the lines “Go ask his name. If he be married, / My grave is like to be my wedding bed.”
Juliet will not marry anyone if she cannot marry Romeo – she suggests she would rather
die without getting married.
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