Romeo and Juliet
Study Guide – Act One
Directions - Answer the following questions with details from the play. When asked for a line or
lines, write out the lines in full for future reference.
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In scene one, how does Shakespeare capture his audience’s attention?
What is a foil? What lines show that Benvolio and Tybalt are foils?
What does the prince declare in lines 92-93?
What are three sets of lines that help to define Romeo’s disposition on page 812?
What is Romeo using to describe love in lines 171-180? Provide at least three examples.
Discuss why he uses these.
Why is Romeo so upset? Be specific. What is a line that proves this?
What does Paris want from Capulet on page 815? What is Capulet’s argument against this
request? Provide at least three of Capulet’s reasons.
What is Benvolio’s plan to cheer up Romeo? Provide a line that shows Romeo’s reason as to
why Romeo does not believe the plan will work.
Is Juliet closer to her mother or the nurse? Provide three examples that prove your point.
When Lady Capulet discusses the match between Paris and Juliet, what extended metaphor does
Shakespeare create? List diction that proves this metaphor.
Based on Juliet’s response to Lady Capulet on pages 820-821, is she excited about the prospect
of marriage? Explain using a line.
How do Romeo and Mercutio view love differently? Prove with one line from each character.
What is the purpose of the Queen Mab speech? Briefly (5 sentences) summarize the speech
below after answering the question.
How does Mercutio describe dreams on page 824? What does he mean by this and what then is
his advice to Romeo?
Paraphrase Romeo’s speech at the end of this scene, line by line, using a format like this:
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What literary device is presented in these lines?
16. What is the purpose of the scene with the serving men?
17. How would we characterize Capulet based on his speech on page 825? Quote at least two
phrases that prove this.
18. How does Capulet’s demeanor change on page 827? What phrases prove that? What does this
suggest about his personality?
19. How does Tybalt continue to show he is a violent character? Prove with at least one line.
20. Back to page 826, what do lines 51-52 tell us about Romeo’s character?
21. Refer to #11. On pages 829-830, how has Juliet changed? What lines help to prove this?
22. What are some motifs you noticed in act one?
23. What is the best line that defines each of the following characters?
Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio, Tybalt, Benvolio, Capulet, Nurse, Lady Capulet
Act Two
1. Paraphrase each line in the chorus using a format like this:
What is the chorus an example of? Why does this make sense?
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5-8
9-12
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Who “jests at scars that never felt a wound”? What does this line mean?
What is a soliloquy? Provide three lines from Romeo’s soliloquy that show he is enamored of
Juliet. What do the lines focus on and what does this suggest about Romeo’s love?
At what line does Juliet finally hear Romeo? What does Romeo overhear? Why is it important to
realize this?
What does Juliet mean in lines 40-49?
Provide at least two lines that show Romeo can be irrational.
What concerns does Juliet express in lines 85-106? Cite specific lines that prove your point.
How does this make her different from Romeo at first?
What does Romeo try to swear by and why does Juliet stop him? Why, though, does this make
sense with Romeo’s character?
In what lines does Juliet show some sense again? Explain.
What possible misunderstanding occurred between Romeo and Juliet in lines 125-148? How
does the addition of the nurse after these lines add to this confusion?
What does Juliet’s reaction to Romeo’s request in line 127 suggest about her character? What
flaw is emerging for the two heroes in this scene?
What are the four characteristics of a Shakespearian hero? So far, how do both Romeo and Juliet
fit into this description?
According to his soliloquy, what is Friar Laurence’s hobby? Prove with at least one set of lines.
What metaphor does FL create in this soliloquy and what does it mean?
How do we know FL and Romeo are close? Support with a line.
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What point does FL make that would prove Romeo is not really in love. Support with a line.
Why does FL agree to marry them? Support with a line.
What double meaning is present in line 95?
How does the interaction between the boys further prove Romeo’s characterization? Mercutio’s?
What are the details of the wedding?
How would you characterize Juliet at the beginning of scene 5? Prove with a line.
How is the nurse “messing with” Juliet? Show with lines. Why do you think the nurse does this?
What is FL’s warning in scene six?
Act Three
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How does Benvolio solidify his role at the beginning of this scene? Provide two lines that
support your answer.
Think about this question carefully: who should we blame for Mercutio’s death? Why?
What does Mercutio mean when he says, “A plague a’ both your houses?”
Why won’t Romeo fight Tybalt at first? What changes his mind?
Who seems most upset about Tybalt’s death? Why do you think that is?
What is Romeo’s punishment? Does Lady Capulet agree with it? Provide line. Does Montague
agree with it? Provide line.
How does this ruin FL’s first plan?
How would you label the mood of Juliet’s soliloquy on pages 870-871? Provide two lines that
support this.
How does Juliet react to the news the nurse brings? Provide two lines to support your answer.
Provide three sets of lines from page 873-874 that prove Juliet is irrational.
Provide three sets of lines that prove Romeo is equally irrational on pages 875-879.
Compare Romeo and Juliet from #s 10 and 11.
What is FL’s tone toward Romeo in lines 135-145?
What is the new plan on pages 880-881?
What does Capulet promise to Paris? How does this ruin FL’s second plan?
What does Juliet mean in lines 54-57? What do these serve as?
On page 885, how does Juliet manage to not betray her love for Romeo when speaking to her
mother? Cite quotations to prove your point.
How does Capulet’s reaction to Juliet’s disobedience characterize him? Give at least two sets of
lines for support.
How does each family member – Capulet, L. Capulet, and the nurse – abandon Juliet at the end
of this act?
Act Four
What do Paris’ words to both FL and to Juliet suggest about his character?
What does Juliet threaten to do unless FL has a plan? How does he use her demeanor to
convince her of his idea?
3. What is the third plan?
4. Since Juliet apologizes, what does Capulet decide to do, and how could this affect FL’s third
plan?
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Analyze Juliet’s soliloquy on pages 901-903. What does she increasingly become? Support with
three sets of lines.
6. What is the purpose of scene four?
7. Why do Capulet’s and Lady Capulet’s reactions to Juliet’s “death” seem hypocritical? What are
some lines that prove this?
8. What is the purpose of the scene with Peter and the musicians?
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Act Five
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At what line does Romeo’s demeanor change on page 916?
According to his soliloquy on pages 917-918, what does Romeo plan to do? Provide lines to
prove this.
What does Romeo mean in lines 80-84? Why might he feel this way?
How is FL’s third plan ruined?
What does FL plan to do now?
What do Paris’ actions on pages 920-921 suggest about his feelings for Juliet?
What clues on page 923 suggest Juliet is still alive (provide lines)? Why do you think Romeo
ignores these?
Who is the last person to abandon Juliet? What does this say about his character?
How is the prince made aware of the circumstances surrounding Romeo’s and Juliet’s deaths?
What does the prince mean in lines 291-295?
What do Montague and Capulet promise to each other?