Name:Judy Hassan Class Period:2

Romeo and Juliet​ ​Study Questions

Act I, Scenes i-iv - Textbook pages 291-309

Scene i
1. Why do Sampson and Gregory fight with Montague’s men?​ Because Sampson “bites his thumb” at the
men in an attempt to get them to fight him.
2. We first meet Benvolio in Scene I when he says, “Part, fools. Put up your swords. You know not what
you do.” What does this tell the audience about his character?​ He knows that it is wrong to fight and
wants to keep the peace between the 2 houses
3. Contrast Tybalt’s reaction to the fight to Benvolio’s reaction:​ Tybalt didn’t want peace and would rather
fight the men then stay peaceful.
4. Fill in the blank:​ The contrast between these two characters establishes them as ​foils ​characters from
the start of the play.
5. What ends the opening fight, and what ultimatum does the Prince Escalus give to the feuding families?
He will kill anyone who tries to disturb the peace between the two families.
6. What have Benvolio and Lord Montague noticed about Romeo lately?​ He has been really depressed and
he wanted to be left alone.
7. Describe Romeo’s mood when he meets Benvolio. What is worrying him?
8. Define oxymoron and give at least three examples from Romeo’s conversation with Benvolio on page
295, lines 171-175

Define oxymoron: ​A self contradicting word or group of words

Examples:
A. O loving hate
B. Cold fire
C. Bright smoke.

9. Define allusion and give an example of allusion used on page 296 when Romeo speaks.

Define allusion: ​An indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea that holds historical,
mythological, or literary significance.

Example - ​She’ll not be hit with cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit.

10. What advice does Benvolio give to the lovelorn Romeo? ​He tells him to forget about that woman and
find someone else who is even more beautiful.

Scene ii
11. Paris asks Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage. What is Capulet’s reply? What advice does he give to
Paris on pp 297-298, within lines 15-33?​ Capulet tells Paris that he should go to his party and try and
find other women other than Juliet, because Juliet is still too young.
12. How old is Juliet at this time? ​14
13. How does Romeo find out about Capulet’s feast, and why does he decide to go even though (being a
Montague) he is not invited?​ The Capulat’s servants asks Romeo (not knowing who he is) if he can help
her read the list of people invited to the party, and the servant tells him as long as he is not part of the
Montegues he should come.
14. How does Shakespeare end this scene?​With a rhyming couplet. And with Romeo saying that he will go
not to look at other women, but to look at Rosaline.

Scene iii
 15. Shakespeare introduces the Nurse and begins to characterize her immediately. What is your impression
of the Nurse based on this characterization?​The nurse is comic relief and won’t stop talking while Lady
Capulet is trying to talk to Juliet.
16. What is Juliet’s reply when her mother, Lady Capulet, asks Juliet how she feels about marriage. Directly
quote the line on page 302. ​Juliet tells her mom it’s an honour, but that she doesn’t want to marry right
now.
17. What does the Nurse mean when she describes Paris as “a man of wax”?​ He looks perfect, but he has no
personality
18. Conceit is an exaggerated comparison (metaphor) between two unlike things and is used in Lady
Capulet’s speech to Juliet about Paris on page 302. To what is Paris being compared?​Paris is being
compared to a book and how if she opened up to him and saw his pages you can see his complexity.

Scene iv
19. How does Romeo describe love on page 303, lines 25-26? ​Romeo describes love as a tough thing that
hurts people.
20. Give a pun from page 303 that reflects Romeo’s current mood? “​Give me a torch I am not for this
ambling.I will bear the light.”
21. Mercutio appears in this scene. He is a relative of the Prince and a friend of Romeo. Mercutio appears
very light-hearted and fun loving. To whom is he a contrast? ​Romeo
22. Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech is meant to humor Romeo and convince him that dreams should not be
taken too seriously. What does Mercutio say dreams are? Quote him directly from page 305: ​“Begot of
nothing but childrens fantasy.”
23. In Romeo’s conversation with Benvolio at the end of this scene, he mentions “some consequence, yet
hanging in the stars, shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels…” When else did the
audience hear a reference to the stars in Act I, and what do these two references remind us of?​ In the
prologue we are told that 2 star struck lovers will take their lives and now Romeo is saying that he is
scared that something bad will happen that will kill him in the future.

Scene v
24. Who objects to Romeo’s presence at the feast? ​Tybalt sees Romeo at the party.
25. Who tells the character that Romeo shall be endured?
26. What does Tybalt vow when he storms out?​ That he will hold down his anger for noe, but if Romeo dos
anything he will unleash his anger.
27. Romeo is struck with love at first sight when he sees Juliet. One look at her and he quickly forgets about
Rosaline. On page 307, lines 44-53, Shakespeare uses figurative language when Romeo describes Juliet.
What images does he compare Juliet to? Quote the text directly: ​He compares her to “a rich jewel in an
Ethiop’s ear”
28. Fill in the blank:​ The initial conversation between Romeo and Juliet on page 308 forms a ​ sonnet​_
which is similar to the structure of the opening Prologue. (Hint: Look at the rhyme scheme).
29. What does Juliet say when she realizes Romeo’s identity? Quote this directly from the text: “​My only
love sprung from my only hate!”
30. What does Romeo mean when he says, “Oh, dear account! My life is my foe’s debt”? ​He means that
since she is a Capulet, his life is based on the love of Juliet, or the family that he hates.

Act II, Scenes i-vi - Textbook pp 315 - 333

Opening
1. Fill in the blanks:​ Act II begins with a prologue. Just like the prologue in Act I, this is in the form of a
_________________ and is spoken by the ____________________.
2. What is the audience told about Romeo’s love of Rosaline and his new love Juliet?

Scene i
3. Summarize this short scene in a minimum of 3 complete sentences:

Scene ii
 4. This scene features the famous “balcony scene” when Romeo and Juliet profess their love for one
another. When Romeo first sees Juliet he once again uses a metaphor of light, the sun, to describe her.
Why do you think he calls Juliet “the sun” and to what is the sun contrasted (page 317).
5. In this scene, when Shakespeare has both Romeo and Juliet express their innermost thoughts and
feelings which helps clue in the audience, the individual speeches are referred to as
_______________________. (Look at the terminology in your background notes for help).
6. What other familiar image of light does Romeo say Juliet’s eyes are brighter then? Why is this
comparison another example of foreshadowing?
7. Juliet is unaware of Romeo’s presence and speaks from her heart. What is she wishing Romeo to do
regarding his heritage? If he refuses, what does she say she will do?
8. Look on page lines, how does Juliet feel about the feud?
9. What does Juliet compare Romeo to? Quote the line directly:
10. When Romeo acknowledges his presence to Juliet, what does she warn him of (page 319, lines 64-65 &
70)?
11. What else worries Juliet (page 319, lines 85-100)?
12. What arrangements do Romeo and Juliet make for the next day?
13. What are Juliet’s “parting” words to Romeo? Quote the lines directly.

Scene iii
14. In the opening of this scene, what is Friar Lawrence doing (the action and what he talks about in his
soliloquy)?
15. What do you think the purpose of the Friar’s soliloquy is?
16. What observation does he make of “the infant rind of this weak flower” (page 323, line 23…)?
17. What is the Friar’s reaction to Romeo’s request to marry Romeo and Juliet?
18. Why does the Friar agree to marry them?
19. This scene ends with Friar Laurence states to Romeo, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”
Explain what the Friar means by this statement.

Scene iv
20. In the opening of this scene, Mercutio and Benvolio wonder where Romeo is and discuss a letter that
has been received. Who is the letter from and what is the letter about?
21. This scene provides some humor and contains many puns. Romeo and Mercutio speak with puns as do
the Nurse and Mercutio. List two puns that each of these speak:
Romeo and Mercutio -
A.
B.
Nurse and Mercutio -
A.
B.
22. When the Nurse appears in this scene, who is she accompanied by and why does she want to speak with
Romeo?
23. How do we know that the Nurse is completely flustered following her encounter with Mercutio?
24. What are the wedding plans?

Scene v
25. This scene opens with Juliet’s soliloquy as she is alone on the stage expressing her thoughts and
feelings. Summarize this soliloquy:
26. Once the Nurse returns, Juliet is impatient to hear the news of Romeo, but the Nurse keeps putting her
off. Why do you think the Nurse does this?
27. Why does the Nurse agree to help Juliet marry Romeo?

Scene vi
28. Summarize this short scene in a minimum of 3 complete sentences:

Act III - Scenes i-v - Textbook pp 339 - 359

Scene i
1. In Act III, Mercutio and Benvolio get into a conflict with Tybalt. What does Romeo do when he comes
upon them? Why? (pp 341-342)
2. Why does Benvolio want Tybalt and Mercutio to “withdraw unto some private place”?
3. What does Romeo mean when he says he has reason to love Tybalt? What do his friends think of Romeo
speaking like this?
4. When Mercutio is hurt, he says, “A plague o’ both your houses!” twice. Why are these lines important?
(refer to your background notes for meaning of quote)
5. Even when he is dying, Mercutio continues to joke and make puns. He says, “Ask for me tomorrow and
you shall find me a grave man.” Why is this a pun?
6. Explain the irony in Lady Capulet saying, “For blood of ours shed blood of Montague.” (p 343)
7. Who tries to support Romeo through a thorough explanation of Mercutio and Tybalt’s deaths?
8. What is Prince Escalus’s punishment for Romeo?
9. Why did Romeo killing Tybalt put Juliet in a bad position? What did she finally decide?

Scene ii
10. This scene begins much like Act II, Scene v when Juliet waits for news. Compare her behavior in the two
scenes.
11. When Juliet learns it was Romeo that killed Tybalt, she speaks with many oxymorons. Give three
examples of the oxymorons used (p 346):
A.
B.
C.

12. How does Julie react when she first learns that Romeo has killed Tybalt? Why does she change her
mind?
13. Once again we see the Nurse serving as an accomplice to Romeo and Juliet. What does she plan to do at
the end of this scene?

Scene iii
14. Romeo waits for Friar Lawrence for news of his sentence for killing Tybalt. The Friar tells him that
Prince Escalus has sentenced Romeo not to “body’s death, but body’s banishment.” How does Romeo
respond to this news?
15. Describe the scene at Friar Lawrence’s cell when the Nurse arrives (pp 350-351) in a minimum of 3
sentences:
16. Fill in the blanks:​ On page 351, Romeo describes his name a __________________ and because
of his sadness, he threatens to stab himself.
17. Who talks him out of this and how?
18. What plan do Romeo and Friar Lawrence make for the night and next day?
19. How will Romeo receive messages from Verona while he is in Mantua?

Scene iv
20. Why does Lord Capulet think that Juliet is so upset?
21. How does he plan to cheer her up?

Scene v
22. Romeo and Juliet have spent their wedding night together. Why does Juliet refer to both the nightingale
and the lark?
23. How is day personified at the beginning of this scene? (p 354)
24. Romeo comments sadly, “More light and light it grows; more dark and dark it woes.” Why does he say
this? (p 354)
25. What does Juliet say about Romeo and Tybalt to her mother to keep the truth from her?
26. Lady Capulet goes to tell Juliet about the plans for the marriage between Juliet and Paris. What is
Juliet’s reaction?
27. What metaphor does Lord Capulet use to describe Juliet’s present state of mind? Quote the line directly
(pp 356-357):
 28. What is Capulet’s reaction when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?
29. Why is it ironic when Lady Capulet says, “I would the fool were married in her grave”? (p 357, line 141)
30. What advice does the Nurse give to Juliet?

Act IV, Scenes i - iii, pp 365 - 376

Scene i
1. Why does Paris call on Friar Lawrence?
2. What is Juliet’s reason for visiting the Friar?
3. If the Friar cannot help her, what has Juliet decided to do?
4. To show that she is fearless, what are some of the things Juliet says she would endure to remain
Romeo’s wife?
5. How does Juliet’s brief conversation with Paris reveal her attitude toward him?
6. What is your impression of Paris?
7. Point out some double or hidden meanings in Juliet’s remarks to Paris?
8. Give two examples of dramatic irony used in this scene:
A.
B.
9. Briefly list the steps in the Friar’s plan:
10. What could possibly go wrong with his plans?
11. Why is the Friar willing to become involved in solving the marriage problems that Juliet encounters?
12. What is Juliet’s reaction to the plan?

Scene ii
13. Why does Capulet reschedule the wedding for Wednesday?
14. How do you think this will affect Friar Lawrence’s plan? Explain.
15. How many cooks does Capulet want, and how does this compare to his earlier plan of only having half a
dozen friends? (p 368)
16. What causes Capulet to say, “My heart is wondrous light”? (p 369)
17. How does Capulet’s treatment of Juliet change after she agrees to marry Paris?

Scene iii
18. Quote the line from Juliet’s soliloquy which foreshadows her death. (pp 370-371)
19. List three of Juliet’s fears as she considers taking the potion:
A.
B.
C.
20. How do Juliet’s fears contrast her previous attitude?

Scene iv
21. Briefly summarize what is happening in this short scene (3 sentence minimum):

Scene v
22. Capulet grieves for Juliet because she was his only remaining child. Why else, however, might he grieve
her loss?
23. Friar Lawrence tells the Capulets that it is better to die a young bride than it is to die after being a wife
for many years. Why do you think he offers this observation?
24. How is the culminating event of Act IV, Juliet’s apparent death, a product of the hate between the
Montagues and the Capulets?

Act V, Scenes i - iii - pp 381 - 392

Scene i
1. Where does this scene take place?
2. What news does Balthasar bring Romeo?
3. What is Romeo’s reaction to Balthasar’s news? What is his course of action?
Scene ii
4. Has Friar John’s mission succeeded? Why or why not?
5. What is supposed to happen to Juliet, according to Friar Lawrence’s plan?

Scene iii
6. Why has Paris come to the tomb?
7. Who is with him?
8. What does Romeo tell Balthasar to do?
9. What reason does he give Balthasar to entering the tomb?
10. What does Paris do when he sees Romeo?
11. How does Romeo end his life?
12. What is Juliet’s reaction?
13. What has happened to Romeo’s mother?
14. Who explains what has happened?
15. In the end, what is the reaction of Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?