English Study Guide: Romeo and Juliet

Act One Quiz

Double Entendre and Characterization

a word or phrase that is open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent

example:

“Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads” (1.1.27-28).

Pun

a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings

example:

“Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” 

Allusions

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.

example:

(Tip is to look for capitalization) “Cupid, Dian’s wit (the goddess of chastity), Aurora’s bed (Roman goddess of the dawn).”

When does Act One take place?

All of Act One takes place from Sunday morning to Sunday night

What is the play’s setting time and place?

The play is set in Verona, Italy, during the Renaissance. The Chorus announces this in the Prologue when he says to the audience, “In fair Verona” (1.Prologue.2). At that moment, the Chorus is introducing the world of the play and preparing the audience for the conflict between the two houses.

What scene of conflict opens the action of the play?

Act I begins with a public street brawl between the servants of the Capulets and Montagues. The servants Sampson and Gregory provoke Abram and Balthasar, and the confrontation escalates.

Which character tries to stop the fighting? Which character is aggressive? What literary element shows the contrast?

When the fighting spreads into the streets, Benvolio tries to stop it. He draws his sword to separate the men and tells them to stop fighting, saying to the servants, “I do but keep the peace” (1.1.70). He is speaking to Tybalt and attempting to calm the situation.

In contrast, Tybalt enters, full of anger, and challenges Benvolio. While confronting Benvolio, he shouts, “I hate the word peace, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (1.1.72-73). Tybalt is speaking to Benvolio and is inflaming the conflict.

Shakespeare uses character foils to highlight their opposite personalities and roles. Benvolio is peaceful, and Tybalt is violent, and their contrast establishes the tone of the family feud.

How many times has the feud disrupted the city, and what punishment does the Prince give?

When the Prince arrives to break up the fight, he scolds both families. Addressing the Lords Montague and Capulet in public, he declares that the feud has caused “Three civil brawls bred of an airy word” (1.1.97). He warns the citizens and leaders that if they cause one more disturbance, “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” (1.1.105). The Prince is threatening death Capulet and Montague if there is another street brawl.

What do Romeo’s oxymorons reveal about his view of love?

Romeo is heartbroken over Rosaline, who has sworn to remain chaste and wishes to be a nun. When Benvolio asks why he is so sad, Romeo tries to describe the emotional confusion of unreturned love. Speaking to Benvolio in deep distress, he uses contradictory phrases like “O brawling love! O loving hate” and “O heavy lightness! serious vanity” (1.1.186,188). He uses these words while trying to express that love is full of contradictions and emotional extremes. He feels that love is both beautiful and painful, both joy and torment.

This establishes that Romeo is emotionally dramatic and overwhelmed by his feelings.

Who asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage? What is Capulet’s response?

In Act I Scene 2, Paris asks Lord Capulet for permission to marry Juliet. Paris is speaking privately to Capulet during preparation for the feast.

Capulet responds gently and tells Paris that Juliet is too young. Speaking to Paris as a father concerned for his daughter, he says, “She hath not seen the change of fourteen years” (1.2.9). He advises Paris to wait “two more summers” before she will be ready for marriage.

How old is Juliet?

Juliet is thirteen years old. Lord Capulet tells Paris this directly as he discusses her youth, saying that Juliet “hath not seen the change of fourteen years” (1.2.9). He is speaking about Juliet’s age to Paris while discouraging a rushed marriage.

What is Romeo’s emotional state? Who is he in love with?

At the start of the play, Romeo is deeply melancholic and sorrowful. He isolates himself and avoids his friends. He is in love with Rosaline, who wishes to be a nun. When Benvolio asks what is wrong, Romeo explains Rosaline’s rejection and says, “[Rosaline will] not be hit by Cupid’s arrow. She hath Dian’s wit [...] in strong proof of chastity well armed” (1.1.222-223). Romeo explains that his love for Rosaline is hopeless, because she “hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now” (1.1.238-239) which leads to his depressed state. 

How does Romeo find out about the Capulet ball?

A Capulet servant who cannot read approaches Romeo and Benvolio. The servant, not knowing Romeo is a Montague, asks him to read the guest list aloud. After Romeo reads it, the servant invites him. While speaking to Romeo, unaware of his identity, the servant says, “If you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come…” (1.2.86-87). This is a critical moment because it is the catalyst that brings Romeo and Juliet together.

How does Benvolio try to cure Romeo’s lovesickness? How is this similar to Capulet’s advice to Paris?

Benvolio tells Romeo that the cure for heartbreak is to look at other women. Speaking to Romeo directly, he urges him to attend the Capulet ball to examine ‘Your lady’s love against some other maid” (1.2.104). Benvolio wants Romeo to forget Rosaline by comparing her to other women.

This is similar to Capulet’s advice to Paris. While speaking to Paris about the upcoming feast, Capulet encourages him to observe many women and judge for himself, saying, “‘Hear all, all see, and like her most whose merit most shall be; Which, on more view of many, mine being one, May stand in number, though in reck’ning none’” (1.2.30-33).

Both encourage looking at new faces to gain perspective.

monologue

A monologue is a long speech delivered by one character to others onstage without interruption.

Nurse’s monologue

The Nurse’s monologue occurs when she tells Juliet’s childhood story and memories. She speaks to Lady Capulet and Juliet (1.3.21-54).

Describe the Nurse’s relationship with Juliet. Who is Susan?

The Nurse loves Juliet as if she were her own child. She raised her from infancy and is emotionally attached to her. While speaking lovingly to Juliet and Lady Capulet, the Nurse says she knows Juliet’s age exactly, declaring, “I can tell her age unto an hour” (1.3.14). She shows affection and humor as she recounts memories.

Susan is the Nurse’s biological daughter, who died as a baby. While remembering Juliet’s childhood, she explains to Lady Capulet and Juliet that “Susan and she (God rest all Christian souls) were of an age” (1.3.23-24). Because Susan died, the Nurse transfers her maternal affection to Juliet.

When is Juliet’s birthday?

Juliet’s birthday is July 31, because she was born on the eve of Lammas Day. The Nurse explains this while remembering Juliet’s early years and tells Lady Capulet and Juliet that “On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen” (1.3.26).

Lammas Day is August 1, so the eve is July 31.

Why does Lady Capulet visit Juliet? What questions does she ask?

Lady Capulet comes to speak to Juliet about marriage. She asks whether Juliet is ready to consider marrying Paris. While speaking gently but formally to Juliet, she asks, “How stands your disposition to be married” (1.3.71). She then encourages Juliet to look closely at Paris and says, “Read o’er the volume of young Paris’ face” (1.3.90).

How do the Nurse and Lady Capulet feel about Paris?

Both believe Paris is an excellent and desirable match.

The Nurse praises his looks enthusiastically. While speaking to Juliet and Lady Capulet, she calls him “a man of wax” (1.3.83). She means he is perfectly handsome, like a statue.

Lady Capulet describes Paris as a precious book, comparing him to a beautifully crafted object. She speaks to Juliet and urges her to consider Paris’s qualities, saying he is “This precious book of love” (1.3.96).

Extended metaphor/conceit comparing Paris to a book, lines 87-103

Words and phrases from Lady Capulet’s conceit include:

Volume
Written
Beauty’s pen
Book of love
Unbound lover
Cover
Golden clasps
Fair volume
Story
Lines
Lacks a cover
Fair book
Seal
Contents
Unmatched book

Lady Capulet uses all of these while speaking to Juliet to encourage her to consider Paris as her future husband.

What does Juliet promise in response to her mother?

Juliet promises that she will try to like Paris, but only within the limits of duty. While responding respectfully to her mother, she says, “I will look to like if looking liking move” (1.3.106). She agrees to observe Paris but makes no promises about love.

Characterize Juliet’s relationship with her mother:

Juliet’s relationship with Lady Capulet is respectful but emotionally distant. They speak formally and rely on the Nurse for communication. Lady Capulet is concerned with social status and propriety rather than emotional closeness.

For example, when Lady Capulet tries to begin the marriage conversation, she immediately calls the Nurse back for support and says, “Nurse come back again” (1.3.11) as she speaks to Juliet. Lady Capulet is uncomfortable speaking privately to her own daughter.

Lady Capulet values wealth, position, and appearances, and encourages Juliet to consider marriage early, even though she herself was distressed from an early marriage and motherhood.

 How will Romeo and his friends escape detection at the party?

They will attend the feast wearing masks. 

Who is Queen Mab?

Queen Mab is a tiny queen fairy who visits people in their dreams. She symbolizes imagination and how dreams reflect desires. Mercutio describes her to Romeo while trying to get him to stop worrying.

Monologue definition: Mercutio’s monologue and its purpose?

A monologue is a long speech by a single character spoken to others onstage.

Mercutio’s Queen Mab monologue occurs when he tries to shake Romeo out of his gloomy mood. Speaking to Romeo and the other friends, he launches into the long imaginative speech from lines 58-100 (1.4.58-100).

His point is that dreams are fantasies created by the mind and should not be taken seriously, and that dreams are insignificant. As he concludes his speech, he says to Romeo, “Dreamers often lie” and later calls dreams “the children of an idle brain” (1.4.56,104). Mercutio argues that Romeo should stop trusting dreams as predictions.

What premonition does Romeo have?

Romeo fears that attending the feast will set fate in motion and eventually cause his early death. While speaking privately to himself and his friends before entering the party, he says, “Some consequence yet hanging in the stars” will begin “By some vile forfeit of untimely death” (1.4.115,119). Romeo senses tragedy ahead, but Mercutio persuades him not to listen to his gut.

What does Romeo think of Juliet at first sight? What does he compare her to?

Romeo is immediately struck by Juliet’s beauty. While he watches her from across the room, he tells a servant that she is so bright she stands out against the darkness and says, “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright” (1.5.49). Romeo later compares Juliet to a jewel, saying Juliet is  “a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear” (1.5.51), meaning she shines brilliantly.

Who recognizes Romeo’s voice and becomes furious? Why does Capulet allow him to stay

Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and becomes enraged. When he hears Romeo speaking, he tells Lord Capulet that a Montague has intruded.

Lord Capulet stops Tybalt and refuses to allow violence. Speaking firmly to Tybalt, he says Romeo must be tolerated because he is well-behaved and well-regarded in Verona. Capulet tells Tybalt, “He shall be endured” (1.5.84) and warns Tybalt not to cause trouble.

What metaphor does Romeo use for their joined hands?

When Romeo and Juliet first touch hands, Romeo speaks to Juliet in the form of a sonnet and compares himself to a pilgrim and Juliet to a saint. While speaking tenderly to Juliet, he says, “This holy shrine the gentle sin is this” (1.5.103). Their touching hands represent a pilgrim touching a saint’s shrine in reverence.

What does Romeo learn from the Nurse after Juliet goes to her mother?

Romeo learns that Juliet is a Capulet. When the Nurse returns to retrieve Juliet, Romeo stops her to ask who Juliet’s mother is. The Nurse replies, “Her mother is the lady of the house” (1.5.126). Romeo responds with shock, saying, “My life is my foe’s debt” (1.5.131). He realizes he has fallen in love with his enemy’s daughter.

oxymoron

a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction (e.g. faith unfaithful kept him falsely true ).

Scene 1 + 2

In Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 1 starts with a street brawl between Capulet and Montague servants, escalated by Tybalt, and stopped by Prince Escalus, who threatens death for future fights, introducing the family feud and Romeo's lovesick melancholy over Rosaline. Scene 2 sees Paris asking Lord Capulet to marry Juliet, leading to Capulet inviting Paris to a feast that night, which Romeo and Benvolio attend after learning Rosaline will be there, setting the stage for the lovers' meeting

Scene 3

In Act 1, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet, Lady Capulet and the Nurse summon Juliet to discuss her marriage to Count Paris, who is also attending the Capulet feast that night. Juliet is hesitant about marriage, saying she has not thought about it, while the Nurse reminisces fondly about Juliet's childhood. Lady Capulet praises Paris, and Juliet agrees to at least "look to like" him, a compromise that will allow her to consider him without committing. 

Scene 4

In Act 1, Scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio head to the Capulet feast in masks. Romeo is reluctant, haunted by a bad feeling and a premonitory dream, which prompts Mercutio to deliver his famous, lengthy speech about Queen Mab, the fairy who controls dreams. Although he initially seems to be making light of Romeo's fears, the speech grows dark and intense before Romeo cuts him off, at which point Benvolio urges them to go inside the party. Before entering, Romeo resigns himself to fate, believing that whatever happens will lead to his death. 

Scene 5

In Romeo and Juliet Act 1, Scene 5, Romeo and Juliet meet at the Capulet ball, instantly falling in love through a poetic, religious-themed conversation and their first kiss, only to discover through the Nurse that they are from warring families (Montague and Capulet), leading to Juliet's famous line, "My only love sprung from my only hate!". The scene also features Tybalt recognizing Romeo, prompting Lord Capulet to restrain him from violence, foreshadowing future conflict, while servants bustle, and Capulet welcomes guests

Benvolio

Benvolio is a peace-loving, sensible, and loyal character from Romeo and Juliet who consistently tries to prevent conflict and acts as a voice of reason for his friends. As Romeo's cousin and a Montague, he is known for his attempts to break up fights and advise Romeo to think practically about his love life. While often level-headed, he is also seen as loyal and thoughtful, often appearing in scenes with Romeo and Mercutio. 

Mercutio

Mercutio is Romeo's witty, imaginative, and volatile friend, a kinsman to the Prince of Verona, known for his crude humor, love of wordplay (especially sexual double entendres), and skepticism about romantic love, viewing it as lust; he's a flamboyant contrast to the melancholy Romeo, whose death at Tybalt's hands serves as a tragic catalyst, cursing both families before he dies. 

Tybalt

Tybalt is Shakespeare's fiery, aggressive Capulet cousin to Juliet, known as the "Prince of Cats" for his arrogance and sword-fighting skill, driven by intense family loyalty and hatred for the Montagues, making him a volatile, vengeful antagonist who escalates the feud and directly causes Mercutio's death, leading to his own demise at Romeo's hands. He's depicted as handsome but brooding, quick to anger, and obsessed with honor, embodying the destructive nature of the Verona feud. 

Sampson and Gregory

servents of the capulets

Abram and Balthasar

montagues