~ Romeo and Juliet ~
Scene Questions
When completing these questions, please find and document direct
quotations from the text to support you answers.
THE PROLOGUE
1) What are we being told through the Prologue? What does this suggest about the
events of the play itself?
2) What purpose does this speech serve?
3) Does the Prologue give away too much, thereby reducing the suspense, or does it help
create a different kind of suspense? Explain.
ACT ONE
Scene 1
1) How does the fight between the servants begin?
2) What is the Prince’s reaction to the street fight?
3) Why do you think Shakespeare chose to begin this play with immediate conflict? Do
you think the Prince handles the fight effectively?
4) Why is Romeo so depressed?
5) What evidence is there to suggest that Romeo is a man looking for someone to love?
How would you describe Romeo’s behaviour and his general attitude?
6) Although Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, much of the play is quite comic. Briefly
outline the comic elements in this scene. To what extent is Romeo’s infatuation with
Rosaline comic?
7) List the major characters introduced in this scene. Give at least two (2) character
traits for each. Provide support with line references where possible.
Scene 2
1) What is Capulet’s reaction when Paris asks permission to marry Juliet?
2) How is Capulet’s attitude about marriage quite modern?
3) It is clear that the element of chance/fate/destiny is introduced at the beginning of
the play. How does it influence the events of this scene?
4) In scene 1, line 222, Benvolio says, “Be ruled by me.” If you were Romeo, would you be
ruled by Benvolio? What advice is he offering in this scene?
5) What is Benvolio’s plan/idea at the end of this scene?
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Scene 3
1) Three (3) important characters are introduced in this scene. Who are they? From
what you have read, heard and seen so far, how would you describe each of these
characters’ personalities? Predict how you think each will act and contribute
throughout the remainder of the play.
2) How does the relationship between Juliet and her mother compare with the
relationship between Juliet and the Nurse?
3) The topic of marriage is discussed at great length in this scene. What arguments are
put forth in support of marriage?
4) How does Juliet react to the idea of getting married? What does this suggest about
her character?
5) Now that you have met Juliet, do you think she and Romeo will make a good couple?
Why or why not? Are there any similarities or differences that can be immediately
detected?
Scene 4
1) What kind of person is Mercutio? Describe him using at least three (3) details from
this scene.
2) Romeo and Mercutio are good friends. What qualities do you think contribute to their
friendship? Consider the following questions when responding to this question:
a) What interests do they have in common?
b) What personality traits do they share?
c) How well do they seem to understand each other’s moods?
d) What does each admire about the other?
3) Why is Romeo reluctant to go to the masque/party?
4) Select and complete one (1) of the following:
a) Write a paragraph paraphrasing the Queen Mab story in modern English.
b) Draw a detailed sketch of Queen Mab. Include line references to key points in
your picture.
5) Explain the potential purposes of the Queen Mab speech.
6) While Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech seems to represent the ravings of an unstable
mind, there is some meaning in it? Shakespeare uses Mercutio’s speech as a vehicle
for social criticism. Identify five (5) different occupations or social positions
criticized in the Queen Mab speech. Why might Shakespeare have chosen this
method for voicing his criticisms of society rather than using direct statements?
7) What does Mercutio’s attitude toward love (“If love be rough with you, be rough with
love…”) indicate about his personality? What does it indicate about his life
experiences to date?
8) How does Romeo foreshadow the play’s unhappy ending at this scene’s conclusion? In
what way does this speech reinforce the theme of “star-cross’d lovers” revealed in
the Prologue?
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Scene 5
1) What do Capulet’s first eleven (11) lines reveal about his personality? What do these
lines reveal about his attitude toward life?
2) Explain the irony inherent in Romeo’s statement, “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this
night” (l.53).
3) Why does Capulet stop Tybalt from starting a fight with Romeo (there is more than
one answer to this question)?
4) What are your impressions about Tybalt after reading this scene? What do you think
motivates him?
5) How does Juliet foreshadow the play’s unhappy ending at this scene’s conclusion?
HINT: “My grave is like to be my wedding-bed” (l.135).
6) Select and complete one (1) of the following:
a) What sort of man is Tybalt? Write one (1) page of dialogue between Tybalt
and one of his friends which takes place after Tybalt leaves the Capulet party.
What will he say? What kind of attitude will he express? Whom would you cast
as Tybalt in a film version of the play?
b) Knowing what you know about Romeo and Juliet, how do you account for them
falling in love so quickly? How much of a role does physical attraction play?
Write a letter to an advice columnist from either Romeo or Juliet’s perspective.
Include the response from the columnist in your assignment.
c) Write a newspaper account of the Capulet’s masque as it might appear in a
morning paper.
ACT TWO
The Prologue
1) Briefly explain in modern English the information this Prologue presents?
2) How is this Prologue similar to the Prologue at the very beginning of the play?
3) In what ways are the two Prologues different?
Scene 1
1)
2)
3)
4)
What does Romeo mean when he says, “Can I go forward when my heart is here” (l.1)?
Explain what we learn from Benvolio in this scene.
How does Mercutio explain Romeo’s behaviour?
How are Benvolio’s and Mercutio’s reactions to Romeo’s actions different? Explain.
Scene 2
1) Summarize what occurs between Romeo and Juliet in this scene.
2) On several occasions throughout this scene, Romeo describes Juliet’s beauty as
brightness amid surrounding darkness. Find three (3) references to this light/dark
imagery and copy them into your notes (with line references).
3) Why does Romeo prefer to think of Juliet as the sun rather than the moon?
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4) How has Romeo taken unfair advantage of Juliet by not announcing his presence
sooner?
5) Translate the following quotations into modern English:
a) “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?/It is the east, and Juliet
is the sun" (II,ii,2-3)!
b) “See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!/O, that I were a glove upon that
hand,/That I might touch that cheek” (II,ii,23-25)!
c) “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?/Deny thy father and refuse thy
name;/Or, of thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,/And I’ll no longer be a
Capulet” (II,ii,33-36).
6) What does Juliet reveal about herself in her soliloquy (ll.38-49)?
7) As Juliet reflects on the fact that she has fallen in love with a man who is supposed
to be her enemy, she asks herself, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/By
any other name would smell as sweet…” (ll.43-44). Through these words, what does
Juliet reveal about the nature of the family feud?
8) In this scene, how does Juliet show herself to be more level-headed than Romeo?
9) What is the symbolic importance of Juliet being on the balcony and Romeo being on
the ground below her? How is this also ironic?
Scene 3
1) At the beginning of this scene, Friar Laurence is picking herbs containing both
medicine and poison. How can this comment on the quality of Romeo and Juliet’s
relationship?
2) What does Friar Laurence suspect Romeo has been doing all night?
3) What comment does Friar Laurence make on the nature of Romeo’s love for Juliet?
What is his warning to Romeo?
4) Describe Friar Laurence’s reaction to Romeo’s request. Why does he change his mind
and decide to help by marrying the two?
5) Does Friar Laurence’s agreement to marry Romeo and Juliet so quickly make him as
guilty of being rash and hasty as the two lovers themselves?
6) What are the Friar’s last words in this scene? Why are they ironic?
Scene 4
1)
2)
3)
4)
Who sent a letter to Romeo’s house? What does it say?
What is Mercutio’s opinion of Tybalt?
Mercutio has fun in this scene. What more do we learn about his personality?
What is the Nurse’s reaction to the men’s teasing? Taking into consideration what we
already know of the Nurse’s character, why is this reaction so ironic?
5) What is the Nurse’s opinion of Paris?
6) How do you know that the Nurse cannot read?
7) How might the audience conclude that Romeo and Mercutio are very close to one
another after reading/seeing/hearing this scene?
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8) Why do you think this scene is in the play at all? Could it have been cut out? Explain
and justify your reasons for either keeping it or cutting it.
Scene 5
1) Examine Juliet’s soliloquy at the beginning of this scene. What is Shakespeare trying
to demonstrate about her character?
2) Why is Juliet so anxious in this scene? Use quotations to support your answer.
3) The Nurse provides comic relief in this scene. How does she accomplish this?
4) Why will the Nurse not give Juliet Romeo’s message as soon as she returns from her
mission?
5) What instructions does the Nurse give Juliet at the conclusion of this scene?
6) At this point in Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, which of the two do you believe is in
control of the wedding plans? What dimension does this add to both Romeo’s and
Juliet’s characters? If you could speak to Juliet, what would you say to her? Record
your response as a speech that you could fit into the scene or as a piece of advice you
could send her in a letter.
7) How is this scene like one in a television soap opera? Write a modern exchange of the
same information as is in this scene that would work in a soap opera sequence.
Scene 6
1) What is Friar Laurence’s warning to Romeo? What is so ironic about the Friar issuing
this warning?
2) How is death personified in this scene? Find appropriate quotations in this scene and
explain their meaning in modern English.
3) In this scene, the Friar becomes more deeply involved in Romeo and Juliet’s plans.
Explain how.
4) The actual marriage ceremony is not shown in the play. What do you imagine would
occur at this ceremony? Insert a description of the ceremony and some lines of
dialogue at the end of this scene. How do you picture the costumes/outfits in this
wedding scene?
5) Marriage is a symbolic ceremony. In your own words, explain the symbolism
associated with weddings? Why is this wedding surrounded by a sense of foreboding?
How is this sense of foreboding conveyed to the audience?
ACT THREE
Scene 1
1) Do you believe that Romeo and Mercutio’s friendship is more emotional than rational
or vice versa? What is the basis for your opinion? Use quotations from this scene to
support your answer.
2) Who do you think is guilty of instigating/starting the street fight? Explain and
justify your answer.
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3) How does Benvolio react to Mercutio and Tybalt’s bickering? Where have we seen
Benvolio behave in this manner before? Explain what it might suggest about his
character.
4) Why does Romeo try to walk away from Tybalt’s challenge?
5) Why does Romeo have no reason to hate Tybalt? Quote specific lines to support your
answer.
6) When Mercutio is wounded, why does he cry out, “A plague o’ both your houses” (l.90)!
7) How does Mercutio remain true to his character, even on his deathbed?
8) Who do you think is to blame for Mercutio’s death? Explain and justify your answer.
9) Explain the importance/significance of Romeo’s line, “O, I am fortune’s fool” (l.135)!
Who/What does he think is to blame for Mercutio’s death?
10) Romeo refers to his stained reputation (l.110) and being made “effeminate” (l.113) by
Juliet’s beauty. Explain what Romeo means when he says these things. What does it
reveal about his character?
11) Is Benvolio’s account of the fight accurate? What does this level of accuracy
suggest about his character?
Scene 2
1) Why is Juliet so desperate for night to arrive?
2) What comparison is Juliet making when she says, “So tedious is this day/As is the
night before some festival/To an impatient child that hath new robes/And may not
wear them” (ll.28-31)?
3) Reread Juliet’s speech at the beginning of this scene. Create a chart listing all of the
references she makes to DAY in one column and all the references she makes to
NIGHT in another (along with appropriate line references). What qualities does
Juliet associate with day and what qualities with night? What are the purposes for
these associations?
4) Juliet receives the news of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment with mixed
emotions. Find the lines expressing this clash and explain Juliet’s conflicting
emotions.
5) In this scene, Juliet has a feeling of foreboding similar to that had by Romeo in Act 1,
Scene 4 before attending the Capulet masque. Why do you think both characters
choose to ignore these ominous feelings? Explain.
6) What stresses does Juliet experience in this scene? How does she deal with them?
Find specific lines from the scene to support your answer.
7) By the end of this scene, what is Juliet’s emotional state? Support your answer with
quotations from the text.
Scene 3
1) What is Romeo’s emotional state at the beginning of this scene? Support your answer
with direct quotations from the play.
2) What is Romeo talking about during his rant? Explain his words in modern English.
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3) Compare Romeo’s state-of-mind in this scene with Juliet’s in the previous scene. How
are they similar? How are they different?
4) How does Friar Laurence react to Romeo’s rants? Support your answer with direct
quotations from the play.
5) How accurate is the Nurse’s description of Juliet’s mental state (ll.99-102)?
6) Why do you think Shakespeare chose to bring Friar Laurence and the Nurse together
in this scene? What motivates each of these characters to assist Romeo and Juliet?
7) What is the Friar’s plan? Do you think it will work? Explain why or why not.
Scene 4
1) Dramatic irony occurs when there is a contrast between what the audience knows and
what a certain character(s) knows. Explain how dramatic irony is developed in this
scene.
2) In your own words, explain the plans Capulet develops concerning Juliet and Paris.
When are these plans to take place? Why on this day, not sooner or later?
3) Why will there only be “some half a dozen friends” (l.27) in attendance at the
wedding?
4) Tybalt’s death has had a great impact on Capulet’s wedding plans. Do you think that
Capulet’s actions concerning the wedding are appropriate? Explain why or why not,
giving reasons to support your opinion.
Scene 5
1) Why does Juliet want to hear the song of the nightingale rather than that of the
lark?
2) As Romeo is departing, how does Juliet foreshadow the play’s unhappy ending?
3) What evidence is there that Juliet believes her destiny as well as Romeo’s is somehow
controlled by fate? What other events in this play support her view?
4) When Lady Capulet enters, how does she interrupt Juliet’s mood? Explain.
5) How does Juliet fool her mother into thinking that she hates Romeo and wishes him
dead? Explain.
6) How does Capulet respond when he discovers that Juliet has no intention of marrying
Paris? Explain.
7) How does the Nurse show herself to be a hypocrite in this scene? Explain.
8) Has your opinion of the Nurse changed after the events of this scene? Explain why or
why not?
9) At the end of this scene, what plan does Juliet develop to overcome her problem?
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ACT FOUR
Scene 1
1) This scene marks the third time Paris appears in the play and the first time he meets
Juliet directly. How is Paris characterized? To what extent is he a sympathetic or
unsympathetic character? Explain.
2) Outline your opinion of Paris. Explain why you feel this way.
3) Explain what is revealed about Juliet through her conversation with Paris.
4) Juliet may be considered guilty of gross exaggeration when she describes the
desperate acts she is prepared to pursue rather than marry Paris. In your own words,
what are the drastic options she mentions? What does this tell us about her
character?
5) What mood does Juliet create by listing the possibilities of what she could do to
herself to avoid marrying Paris? Explain.
6) What is the Friar’s plan? Outline this plan in detail. What has occurred previously in
the play to foreshadow the formulation of this strategy?
Scene 2
1) Explain this scene’s mood. How is this mood created?
2) The events of this scene would suggest that Capulet is inconsistent in his actions and
reactions. Explain how, using examples and quotations from the scene to support your
points.
3) How is Capulet’s statement about Friar Laurence (ll.31-32) ironic? Explain.
Scene 3
1) In your own words, outline the three (3) possible results Juliet considers before she
drinks the potion.
2) Identify and illustrate the atmosphere created by Juliet’s soliloquy in lines 14-59.
3) What feelings do you think this soliloquy (ll.14-59) would create in an audience? Why?
4) Shakespeare is considered a master at creating realistic characters. In this brief
scene, Juliet displays a number of different traits that illustrate the complexity and
completeness of her character. What different aspects of her character are
portrayed in this scene? How?
Scene 4
1) What dramatic purpose does this scene serve? Explain.
2) If you were directing this play, would you keep or omit this scene? Why? Explain.
Scene 5
1) What is the dramatic purpose of the Nurse being so cheerful at the beginning of this
scene? Explain.
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2) Explain your reactions to the mourning of Capulet, Lady Capulet and Paris in this
scene. Refer to the play to explain why you react as you do.
3) In what ways does the mood change from the beginning of this scene to the end?
Draw a diagram in which your trace these changes.
4) Identify two (2) instances in which images of love and marriage are mixed with images
of death and funerals. What purpose could this mixing of seemingly opposite
references have? Explain.
5) How is this scene the ultimate example of paradox in the play (this answer is related
to the answer for the question above)?
6) Shakespeare does not provide a scene dramatizing Juliet’s funeral. It is common at
funerals for people who know the deceased to deliver eulogies. Write two (2) eulogies
for Juliet, each from the perspective of one of the following characters:
a) Capulet
b) Lady Capulet
c) Nurse
d) Paris
e) Friar Laurence
ACT FIVE
Scene 1
1) Describe Romeo’s dream. What references to dreams and premonitions have
appeared earlier in the play?
2) What news does Balthasar bring to Romeo from Verona? As a result, what action
does Romeo take?
3) What does Romeo mean when he says, “Then I defy you, stars” (l.24)!
4) What changes have occurred in Romeo’s character? Explain, using quotations from
the play to support your points.
5) Is there any chance that Romeo’s suicide could be prevented? Refer to the facts of
the play as well as what you know about Romeo to support your answer.
Scene 2
1) In this scene, Friar John explain the reasons he could not fulfill his job of delivering
Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo. In your own words, explain the reasons that
hindered Friar John’s success.
2) What was the message Friar Laurence was trying to communicate to Romeo in his
letter? What will be the consequence if Romeo does not receive this news?
3) What action does Friar Laurence intend to take to solve this problem? Explain.
4) Imagine that you are Friar Laurence. Write the letter that Friar John was asked to
deliver to Romeo. Then, write the second letter that Friar Laurence intends to write
to Romeo.
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5) Friar Laurence’s first letter is not delivered due to chance and circumstance. Some
scholars argue that, because Shakespeare relied too heavily on chance or coincidence,
this play is not a true tragedy. What other examples of chance or coincidence take
place in this play?
Scene 3
1) In the first twenty-one (21) lines of this scene, Shakespeare portrays Paris in such a
way that the audience can’t help but be reminded of Romeo in the first scene of the
play. What similarities do you see between the early Romeo and Paris as he is
characterized in this scene?
2) What is Romeo’s reaction when he discovers that the man he encounters and
subsequently slays in the graveyard is Paris? Explain.
3) What evidence is there to suggest that Romeo intends to die nobly and honorably?
Explain.
4) Friar Laurence arrives at the tomb just after Romeo dies and just as Juliet awakens.
How does he attempt to save Juliet? Explain.
5) Outline Friar Laurence’s confession and comment on its significance.
6) Explain what ultimately results from the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
7) Shakespeare could easily have ended this story differently. Write your own ending to
this play. Be sure to resolve all of the plot’s loose ends.
~ Exuent ~