Romeo and Juliet
Act I Study Questions
Scene 1
1. How does the fight begin?
2. Benvolio and Tybalt, nephews of each of the households, enter as
the fighting begins. What does each seem to be like? Give reasons for your
answers.
A. Benvolio:
B.Tybalt:
3. With what punishment does the Prince threaten anyone in the
Montague or Capulet parties who breaks the peace again?
4.What does Benvolio discover is bothering Romeo? What advice
does Benvolio give Romeo?
Romeo and Juliet
Act I Study Questions
Scene 2
1. How does Capulet feel about the Prince’s orders to keep peace
following the third fight?
2. Why has Paris come to Capulet?
3 . What is Capulet’s answer to Paris? What does he tell Paris to do in
the meanwhile, and why?
4.What do you think Capulet means when he says, “The earth hath
swallowed all my hopes but she”?
5.How does Romeo find out about Capulet’s feast?
6.What does Benvolio say Romeo will realize at the feast?
Romeo and Juliet
Act I Study Questions
Scene 3
1. How does the Nurse feel about Juliet? How can you tell?
2. What historical event does the Nurse use as a landmark to help remember
Juliet’s age?
3. What does Juliet say about her thoughts of marriage? What do you think
she means?
4. How old is Lady Capulet?
5. What merits does Paris have, according to Lady Capulet?
6. Juliet answers her mother by saying, “I’ll look to like, if looking liking
move.”What does she mean?
7. What does Juliet say will determine how vigorously she tries to fall in love
with Paris?
Romeo and Juliet
Act I Study Questions
Scene 4
1.What does Mercutio suggest that Romeo do at the party? How does Romeo
answer?
2. Mercutio doesn’t say directly that Romeo should not pay attention to his
dream, but he does say several things that show why he thinks dreams are
not trustworthy. What are these?
3.What does Romeo believe as a result of his dream?
4. Give at least 2 reasons that help explain Romeo’s mixed feelings as he
goes to the party.
5.What does Romeo’s final comment, “But He that hath the steerage of my
course/Direct my sail” mean?
Romeo and Juliet
Act I Study Questions
Scene 5
1. How does Capulet first react to the presence of the maskers?
2. According to Romeo, how does Juliet make the other ladies in the room
look? What does he plan to do?
3. Who recognizes Romeo, and how?
4. What does Capulet suggest Tybalt do? Why?
5. How does Tybalt respond to Capulet?
6. What happens when Romeo and Juliet speak for the first time?
7. How does Romeo learn who Juliet is? What is his response?
8. How does Juliet disguise her particular interest in Romeo? What is her
response?
9. How does Capulet treat the maskers as they leave?
10. A character who serves as a contrast for another character is called a
Foil. In this scene, how do Tybalt and Capulet serve as foils for one another?
Romeo and Juliet
Act One Vocabulary
Pernicious
Wrongdoing; Sin
Augmenting
Increasing; enlarging
Grievance
Causing great injury or ruin
Transgression
Those who hold to a belief opposed to the teachings
of the church
Heretics
Injustice; complaint
Romeo and Juliet- Act 1 Quotes
Romeo and Juliet- Act 1 Quotes: For each quote below, tell three things: A).
Who saidit? B). To whom? C). What is the significance/meaning of quote?
Please include instances of imagery, metaphors, and other figurative
language.
1.“What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all
Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!”
2 . T h r e e c i v i l b r a wl s , b r e d o f a n a i r y wo r d By thee, old Capulet
and Montague ,Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets.
3 . E a r t h h a t h s wa l l o we d a l l m y h o p e s b ut s h e ; She is the hopeful
lady of my earth. But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart ,My will to her
consent is but a part. And she agreed, within her scope of choice Lies my
consent and fair according voice.
4 . A m a n , Y o u n g L a d y ! L a d y , s i g h a m a n As all the world- why, he’s
a man of wax.
5 . I f l o v e b e r o u g h wi t h y o u , b e r o u g h wi t h l o v e .
6 . T r u e , I t a l k o f d r e a m s ; Which are the children of an idle brain;
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy; Which is as thin a substance as the air,
And is as thin of substance as the air, And more inconstant that the wind,
who woos
7 . I f e a r , t o o e a r l y ; f o r m y m i n d m i s g i v e s Some consequence yet
hanging in the stars
8. Did my heart love till now, Forswear it sight! For it sight! For I ne’er saw
true beauty till this night
9. My only love, sprung from my only hate!