SHORT ANSWER STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS - Romeo and Juliet
Act I
1. Why do Sampson and Gregory fight with Montague's men?
2. Benvolio and Tybalt come upon the servants fighting. Contrast their reactions to the fight.
3. When Montague and Capulet enter and see the disturbance, they want to fight, too. What do
their wives say?
4. What ended the opening skirmish?
5. Why is Romeo so sad?
6. In Act I Scene ii, Paris asks Capulet for Juliet's hand in marriage. What is Capulet's reply?
7. Why is Capulet giving a feast?
8. How does Romeo find out about the feast, and why does he decide to go even though (being
a Montague) he is not invited?
9. Describe Juliet's relationship with her family in Act I.
10. At the end of Act I Scene iv, what does Romeo tell Benvolio, foreshadowing future action in
the play?
11. What does Romeo mean when he says, "Oh, dear account! My life is my foe's debt"?
Act II
1. In Act II Scene ii, Romeo and Juliet profess their love for one another. Juliet is to contact
Romeo (through a servant) the next day. Why?
2. Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?
3. What message does Nurse take to Juliet?
4. What warning does Friar Laurence give Romeo foreshadowing future events of the play?
Act III
1. In Act III, Mercutio and Benvolio get into a conflict with Tybalt. What does Romeo do when
he comes upon them? Why?
2. How do Mercutio and Tybalt die?
3. What punishment did the Prince give Romeo for fighting?
4. Why did Romeo's killing Tybalt put Juliet in a bad position? What did she finally decide?
5. Lady Capulet goes to tell Juliet about the plans for the marriage between Juliet and Paris.
What is Juliet's reaction?
6. What is Capulet's reaction when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?
7. What advice does Nurse give to Juliet?
Acts IV & V
1. Why does Juliet go to Friar Laurence's cell?
2. What plans do Friar Laurence and Juliet make?
3. What news does Balthasar bring Romeo? How does Romeo react?
4. What went wrong with the Friar's plan?
5. What are the circumstances of Paris' death?
6. After she wakes up from being drugged, why does Juliet kill herself with Romeo's dagger?
Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List
The following list includes the words you will need to learn throughout our Romeo and Juliet
Unit. For each word, you will need to write a sentence which makes the meaning of the word
clear. (Stay away from sentences like “He is profane.”) You will also be quizzed on the words.
Act I Vocabulary
1.
solemnity (noun)
- serious or solemn observance or ceremnial proceeding
2.
profane (adj.)
- unholy, defiled, impure
3.
rapier (noun)
- a sword
4.
trifling (adj)
- small, unimportant
5.
saucy (adj.)
- bold, impudent, insolent
6.
enmity (noun)
- hatred
7.
shrift (noun)
- confession
8.
languish (verb)
- to become less intense, to wane or abate
9.
pernicious (adj.)
- having a bad effort, damaging or detrimental
10.
portentous (adj.)
- ominous, threatening evil
11.
prodigious (adj.)
- marvelous, miraculous, wondrous
12.
valiant (adj.)
- brave, courageous, bold
13.
assail (verb)
- to attack with violent blows, to assault verbally
14.
posterity (noun)
- succeeding or future generations
Act Two Vocabulary
1.
jest (verb)
- to joke, prank
2.
impetuous (adj.)
- capable of sudden action, emotion or violence, brash, impulsive
3.
judicious (adj.)
- possessing sound judgment, cautious, shrewd
4.
garish (adj.)
- marred by excessive ornamentation; gaudy
5.
chide (verb)
- to scold, rebuke, reprimand
6.
kindred (adj.)
- same kind
7.
idolatry (noun)
- extreme devotion or worship of a person or thing
8.
invocation (noun)
- a prayer like speech; also conjuring or calling up of spirits
9.
rancor (noun)
- feelings of ill will, hatred, enmity, animosity
10.
repose (noun)
- time when one can relax
Act Three Vocabulary
1.
dissembler (noun)
- one who hides himself or puts on a false appearance
2.
jocund (adj.)
- cheerful, merry
3.
puling (adj.)
- whining, whimpering
4.
agile (adj.)
- well-balanced and quick on one’s feet, nimble
5.
discord (noun)
- lack of harmony
6.
felon (noun)
- criminal
7.
beguile (verb)
- to deceive or cheat
8.
intercession (noun) - a plea on another’s behalf, a mediation
Act Four Vocabulary
1.
inundate (verb)
- to overwhelm with something
2.
shroud (noun)
- cloth used to wrap a body for burial
3.
resolve (noun)
- firmness of purpose, determination
Act Five Vocabulary
1.
scourge (noun)
- a major affliction or hardship
2.
caitiff (noun)
- mean, evil person
3.
inter (verb)
- bury
4.
penury (adj.)
- impoverished, poor
5.
pestilence (noun)
- epidemic
6.
apothecary (noun) - druggist
7.
presage (verb)
8.
inauspicious (adj.) - not promising
9.
sepulcher (noun)
- tomb
10.
aloof (adj.)
- showing no interest, withdrawn, uninvolved
11.
peruse (verb)
- to examine
12.
inexorable (adj.)
- impossible to persuade, to change or halt
13.
obsequies (noun)
- funeral ceremonies
- to predict