Act 1
Scene 1
1. Scene one is important because it establishes the tone of the play 1. Scene one is important because it establishes the tone of the play. What tone is created? angry, hostile, tense, aggressive
2. Benvolio is the peacemaker in the play 2. 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 showing Benvolio’s personality. “Put up your swords; you know not what you do” (1.1.52). “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me.”
3. How is Tybalt’s personality different from Benvolio’s 3. How is Tybalt’s personality different from Benvolio’s? Find a line that suggests he wants the feud between the families to continue. “I hate the word peace, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and you.”
4. What lines indicate Prince Escalus’s feelings about the feuding? “If ever you disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”
5. Benvolio and the Montagues are concerned about Romeo. Explain why. He has been secluding himself, crying, and in a sad, dark mood.
6. What information is Benvolio able to get from Romeo? Romeo is upset because the one he loves (Rosaline) does not return the feeling.
7. Find lines that show Romeo is a romantic young man. “Love is a smoke rising from the fumes of sighs; when the air is cleared, love is a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes. When frustrated, love is a sea fed by lovers’ tears. What else is love? A very wise insanity, a choking bitterness, and a lasting sweet.”
8. What advice does Benvolio give Romeo? What is Romeo’s reaction? Benvolio says forget her; look at other beautiful women. Romeo says that will only remind him of this one woman’s beauty.
Scene 2
9. How does Lord Capulet feel about the feud 9. How does Lord Capulet feel about the feud? Find a line to support your response. He wants to try to keep the peace. “It shouldn’t be hard…for men as old as we are to keep the peace” (1.2.2-3).
10. Why has Paris come to see Lord Capulet? Paris wants to persuade Capulet to let him marry Juliet.
11. How old is Juliet? Juliet is almost 14.
12. What is Capulet’s reply to Paris? Capulet says Juliet is too young. She won’t be marriage ready for at least two years. He welcomes Paris to the ball and says he can try to win Juliet’s favor. Paris can marry Juliet, only if Juliet agrees.
13. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to attend Capulet’s party 13. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to attend Capulet’s party? Why does Romeo agree to go? Benvolio wants Romeo to compare Rosaline to other women and discover that she is not the most beautiful. Romeo will go to admire Rosaline’s beauty.
Scene 3
14. What happened to Nurse’s daughter? Her daughter, Susan, died. She would have been about the same age as Juliet.
15. What purpose do Nurse’s ramblings about Juliet serve? Her ramblings are comic relief. She is also intended to be a foil, or opposite, to Juliet. The nurse is big-mouthed and pushy; Juliet is quiet and reserved.
16. How does Juliet feel about getting married? How do you know? Juliet feels it’s an honor. She says she will see if she can like Paris.
Scene 4
17. Find a line that describes Romeo’s mood as he and his friends go to the party. What device was Shakespeare using when he compared “sole” and “soul”? He’s glum. “You have dancing shoes with light soles; I have a soul of lead, which holds me to the ground so I can’t move” (1.4.14-16). A PUN is a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.
18. According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do? She is the queen of the fairies who brings dreams to people. In this speech, Mercutio is making fun of Romeo for being a lovesick dreamer who is lost in thought.
19. What does Mercutio think of dreams? Do you agree? He thinks dreams are nonsense. He says they are “the children of an idle brain” (1.4.103).
20. From Romeo’s speech, do you think the Elizabethans believed people had control over their lives or that Fate had things all planned out? How do you know? They believed fate determined their future. “God, who steers my life’s course, will give my sail direction” (1.4.118-119).
21. What is Romeo’s mood at the end of this scene? Explain. He is nervous/wary. “I’m afraid that some unpleasant events, still only destined to happen, will bitterly begin at this party tonight and bring to an end this hateful life of mine by some terrible, untimely death” (1.4.112-117). FORESHADOWING
Scene 5
22. What lines indicate that Romeo was not really in love with Rosaline? “My eyes will swear that I never saw real beauty until tonight” (1.5.52-53).
23. Tybalt’s anger at the presence of a Montague bears out the hot-tempered nature of his character. Give the line that reveals what action Tybalt would like to take. Tybalt wants to kill Romeo. “I wouldn’t hold it a sin to kill him” (1.5.59).
24. How does Lord Capulet react? Capulet gets upset with Tybalt and tells him to relax. “Be patient and pay no attention to him” (1.5.72).
25. What kind of reputation does Romeo have? He has a good reputation. “He carries himself like a dignified gentleman” (1.5.67). Citizens say “he is a good, well-mannered youth” (1.5.69).
26. Explain lines 140-141: “Go ask his name 26. Explain lines 140-141: “Go ask his name. If he be married,/My grave is like to be my marriage bed.” Juliet feels she will die if she can’t have Romeo. She doesn’t realize it, but she is telling her own fortune with this line. FORESHADOWING
27. What problems do you think are ahead for Romeo and Juliet? Answers will vary “This is a horrible beginning to love that I must love a hated enemy” (1.5.146-147).
Romeo Graphic Organizer SENSITIVE “My own griefs make my heart heavy which will only increase if burdened with your sorrow, too” (1.1.177-179) Romeo is upset about Rosaline and becomes even more upset after finding out Benvolio was fighting with the Capulets.
Juliet Graphic Organizer SLY 1.5.134-139 Juliet asks nurse about the identity of several guests at the party. She is trying to find out who Romeo is, but she doesn’t want nurse to know her interest.