ROMEO and JULIET SCENES 1-5

What two families are involved in the feud?

The Montagues and the Capulets.

In what city does the play take place?

Verona, Italy.

What does "ancient grudge" mean?

An old hatred or long-standing feud.

What does "star-crossed lovers" suggest?

The lovers are doomed by fate.

What does the Prologue reveal about the lovers' fate?

They will both die.

How long will the play take to perform, according to the Prologue?

Two hours.

What does "civil blood makes civil hands unclean" suggest?

The fighting between citizens causes violence and guilt.

How will the lovers' deaths affect their parents?

Their deaths will end the feud and bring the families together.

What literary form is the Prologue?

Sonnet

Why does Shakespeare reveal the ending in advance?

To build suspense and show how the events lead to the tragic ending.

Romeo's cousin who tries to keep peace:

Benvolio

Hot-tempered nephew of Lady Capulet:

Tybalt

Ruler of Verona who threatens punishment for fighting:

Prince Escalus

Romeo's friend who jokes about dreams and Queen Mab:

Mercutio.

Young nobleman who asks to marry Juliet

Paris

Juliet's talkative caretaker and confidante:

The Nurse

Romeo's father:

Lord Montague

Juliet's father and host of the feast:

Lord Capulet

Whom does Romeo love at the beginning of Act I?

Rosaline

Servant who unintentionally helps Romeo learn about the Capulet feast:

An illiterate Capulet servant.

What starts the street fight in Scene 1?

The Capulet and Montague servants insult each other, including Samson’s thumb-biting gesture.

Who first tries to stop the fighting?

Benvolio

What punishment does the Prince threaten for another public fight?

Death

Why is Romeo sad early in Act I?

Rosaline does not return his love.

What has Rosaline decided about romantic love?

She has decided to remain unmarried

What advice does Benvolio give Romeo?

Look at other women because there are more beautiful women than Rosaline.

Why does Paris visit Lord Capulet?

He wants permission to marry Juliet.

How old is Juliet?

13

What does Capulet initially say about Juliet marrying?

She is too young and should wait two more years.

How do Romeo and Benvolio find out about the party?

A Capulet servant asks Romeo to read the guest list and accidentally tells him about the party.

Why does Romeo agree to attend the Capulet party?

To see Rosaline.

Why is Romeo uneasy before the party?

He has a bad dream that something terrible will happen because of the party.

Who recognizes Romeo at the party?

Tybalt

Why does Capulet stop Tybalt from confronting Romeo?

Because Romeo has a good reputation, and Capulet doesn't want a fight at his party.

What do Romeo and Juliet discover after their first meeting?

Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet is a Capulet. They belong to enemy families.

"I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword."

Benvolio

"What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word."

Tybalt

"My only love sprung from my only hate!"

Juliet

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!"

Romeo

"If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace."

Prince Escalus

"Younger than she are happy mothers made."

Paris

"I'll look to like, if looking liking move."

Juliet

"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!"

Romeo

"This, by his voice, should be a Montague."

Tybalt

Explain one way the feud affects ordinary people in Verona.

The feud makes the streets dangerous because people get caught in fights between the two families

How does Romeo's attitude toward love change between Scenes 1 and 5?

In Scene 1, Romeo is sad because Rosaline doesn't love him. In Scene 5, he falls in love with Juliet and becomes happy and excited.

Explain why the audience knows more than Romeo and Juliet when they meet.

The audience knows their families hate each other, but Romeo and Juliet don't know at first Shakespeare wanted this dramatic irony.

Why is Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo important for future conflict?

Tybalt gets angry at Romeo, creating more tension between the families.

Describe one example of a contrast between love and hate in Act I.

Romeo and Juliet fall in love even though their families hate each other.