Romeo & Juliet Acts 1-3 Test

What happens in Scene 1?

Act 1, Scene 1 – A street in Verona

• Servants from the Capulet and Montague households start a fight.

• The brawl grows as citizens and family members join in.

• Prince Escalus arrives and angrily stops the fight, warning that any more violence will be punished by death.

• Benvolio tries to calm things, while Tybalt shows his aggressive nature.

• Romeo is introduced as sad and withdrawn because Rosaline doesn’t love him back.

• Benvolio advises Romeo to forget Rosaline and look for other women.

Purpose: Introduces the feud, Romeo’s personality, and the theme of conflict.

When does Act 1 take 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.

What happens in Scene 2?

Act 1, Scene 2 – A street

• Paris asks Lord Capulet for permission to marry Juliet.

• Capulet says Juliet is too young and suggests Paris try to win her love at a feast.

• Capulet gives a servant a list of guests for the feast—but the servant can’t read.

• The servant asks Romeo and Benvolio for help reading the list.

• Romeo learns Rosaline will be at the Capulet feast, so he decides to go, even though he’s a Montague.

Purpose: Sets up the party where Romeo and Juliet will meet.

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.

What happens in Scene 3?

Act 1, Scene 3 – Capulet house

• Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage.

• Juliet says she hasn’t thought about it.

• The Nurse reminisces about Juliet’s childhood in a long, comic speech.

• Lady Capulet encourages Juliet to consider Paris as a husband.

• Juliet politely agrees to look at Paris, but not promise love.

Purpose: Introduces Juliet and shows her obedience and youth.

Monologue definition and Nurse’s monologue citation

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

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.

What happens in Scene 4?

Act 1, Scene 4 – A street, on the way to the feast

• Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio head to the Capulet feast in masks.

• Romeo feels uneasy, fearing something bad will happen.

• Mercutio gives the famous Queen Mab speech, mocking dreams and Romeo’s worries.

• Romeo believes fate is guiding him toward events that may lead to his death—but he goes anyway.

Purpose: Introduces fate and foreshadows tragedy.

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 happens in Scene 5?

Act 1, Scene 5 – Capulet feast

• The Capulets welcome their guests.

• Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and instantly falls in love, forgetting Rosaline.

• Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and wants to fight him.

• Lord Capulet stops Tybalt, insisting Romeo be allowed to stay.

• Romeo and Juliet share a sonnet-like conversation and kiss.

• They later discover they are from enemy families, shocking them both.

Purpose: The central moment where Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love.

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.

Sonnet Annotation

• Iambic pentameter

  • stressed syllable (U) followed by unstressed syllable (/)

  • 1 Iamb = U / (stressed then unstressed

  • 5 Iambs in a line

• Line numbers (14)

• Quatrains

  • There are 3 quatrains in a sonnet

  • a group of 4 lines

• Rhyming couplet

  • 2 rhyming lines at the end

• ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme

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.

What happens in Scene 1?

• Romeo hides in the Capulet orchard after the party

• Mercutio and Benvolio search for Romeo

• Mercutio jokes about Romeo’s love for Rosaline

• Romeo avoids them, and they leave

Where does Romeo go after the ball instead of returning home?

he climbs the wall and hides in the orchard, waiting for Juliet

How does Mercutio try to get Romeo’s attention?

by making fun of his lovesickness

What happens in Scene 2?

• Juliet speaks alone on her balcony about loving Romeo

• Romeo overhears her and reveals himself

• They confess their love for each other

• Juliet worries about Romeo’s safety

• They agree to marry

• Juliet will send a messenger the next day

What is a soliloquy, and how are they used in scene 2?

• an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers

• while Romeo speaks his thoughts to himself when looking at and listening to Juliet

What does Romeo say helped him climb over the high walls of the Capulet orchard and find Juliet’s window?

love

What does Romeo compare Juliet’s beauty to?

the sun

Why does Juliet ask Romeo not to swear by the moon?

because she doesn’t want him to change his feelings for her, now that he has shared that he loves her

What do Romeo and Juliet exchange, and what do Romeo and Juliet plan to do the next day?

• info about next day and wedding

• marry

What happens in Scene 3?

• Friar Lawrence gathers herbs at dawn

• He talks about how things can be used for good or evil

• Romeo asks Friar Lawrence to marry him and Juliet

• Friar Lawrence agrees, hoping to end the family feud

What is Friar Laurence’s unique skill or area of knowledge?

mixing and handling herbs - is shown when he handles a flower with great care and expertise (the flower symbolizes good and bad)

What does the Friar caution Romeo about?

to slow down his relationship with Juliet - explains this by saying “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast”, meaning people who go too fast often have problems resulting in tragedies

Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

he thinks their matrimony/unity will end up working out and end the feud between the families

What happens in Scene 4?

• Mercutio and Benvolio discuss Romeo’s strange behavior

• The Nurse arrives looking for Romeo

• The men make fun of her and use crude language/remarks

• Romeo tells the Nurse the wedding plan

• Juliet is to go to Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon

Who has sent Romeo a challenge for a duel?

Tybalt. he is still mad that Romeo came to the Capulet party.

What excuse will Juliet give for going to Friar Laurence’s cell?

confession

What happens in Scene 5?

• Juliet waits impatiently for the Nurse

• The Nurse teases Juliet and delays the news

• The Nurse finally tells Juliet about the wedding

• Juliet prepares to go to Friar Lawrence’s cell

At what time did Juliet send the Nurse to see Romeo and find out the wedding plans, and how long has Juliet been waiting for the Nurse to return with the news from Romeo?

sent her at 9:00 AM, she’s been waiting more than 3 hours

Where will the marriage take place?

Friar Lawrence’s cell

How will Nurse help Romeo get into Juliet’s bedchamber?

propping a ladder up against Juliet’s window

What happens in Scene 6?

• Romeo and Juliet meet at Friar Lawrence’s cell

• Friar Lawrence warns them not to rush love

• Friar Lawrence secretly marries Romeo and Juliet

How many people know of Romeo and Juliet’s marriage?

4:

Romeo

Juliet

Friar Lawrence

Nurse

The actual marriage ceremony is not seen. Why do you think Shakespeare chooses not to show the wedding ceremony?

he probably felt that the audience shouldn’t see it, since most of the characters couldn’t/didn’t either

What happens in Scene 1?

Mercutio and Benvolio vs. Tybalt → Mercutio and Tybalt die

• Benvolio and Mercutio are in the street; Benvolio warns that tempers are high.

• Tybalt arrives looking for Romeo.

• Romeo appears but refuses to fight Tybalt because they are now secretly related by marriage.

• Mercutio, offended by Romeo’s refusal, fights Tybalt instead.

• Romeo tries to stop the fight; Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm.

• Mercutio dies, cursing both families (“A plague o’ both your houses!”).

• Enraged, Romeo fights and kills Tybalt.

• The Prince arrives and banishes Romeo from Verona for killing Tybalt.

Importance: This scene shifts the play from romance to tragedy.

Who begs Mercutio to leave the streets of Verona because the Capulets might also be out on this extremely hot day?

Benvolio

Who comes to the public square looking for a fight with Romeo?

Tybalt

How does Tybalt insult Romeo and try to get him to fight him?

calls him a “boy” - implies that he’s immature and childish

Romeo will not fight Tybalt. Why?

• Tybalt is Juliet’s (Romeo’s wife) favorite cousin, he doesn’t want to upset her

• Tybalt is not his family too, doesn’t want to kill his own family

Why does Mercutio fight Tybalt?

• romeo refused

• doesn’t wanna dishonor their family name

How is Mercutio killed, and who, in your opinion, is to blame for his death?

• Tybalt stabs him under Romeo’s arm

• it was somewhat Romeo’s fault for not fighting Tybalt in the first place, therefore causing Mercutio to fight him instead

What is Romeo’s punishment for killing Tybalt?

• banishment from Verona

• if he doesn’t leave, DEATH

What happens in Scene 2?

Juliet learns of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment

• Juliet waits impatiently for Romeo to come to her.

• The Nurse arrives with confusing news.

• Juliet learns that Tybalt is dead and Romeo killed him.

• She struggles with divided loyalty—her cousin vs. her husband.

• Juliet ultimately chooses Romeo.

• The Nurse tells Juliet that Romeo is banished.

• Juliet is devastated but sends the Nurse to find Romeo and give him her ring.

Importance: Juliet matures emotionally and shows loyalty to Romeo.

What allusions are used at the start of this scene? What implications (positive or negative, and what meaning) do these allusions have?

• Phoebus (the god whose chariot pulls the sun across the sky) and his son, Phaeton, who loses control of his chariot when he attempts to drive it too fast.

• positive: Juliet can’t wait for Romeo to come to her room, and wants the day to get over with already so Romeo can come

• negative: foreshadowing of things moving too quickly and ending in disaster

Provide an example of foreshadowing the lovers’ tragic demise.

When Juliet prays that when Romeo dies, she wants his face cut into little stars and put into the sky, for all to see how handsome he is

What misunderstanding occurs when Nurse tells Juliet, “he’s dead, he’s dead”

Juliet thinks Nurse is talking about Romeo, when she’s actually talking about Tybalt

What happens in Scene 3?

Romeo despairs over his banishment

• Romeo hides in Friar Laurence’s cell.

• The Friar tells Romeo about the banishment.

• Romeo believes banishment is worse than death.

• The Nurse arrives and tells Romeo Juliet is heartbroken.

• Romeo tries to stab himself.

• The Friar stops him and explains the plan:

  • Romeo will spend the night with Juliet

  • Then flee to Mantua

  • The Friar will later reunite them

• Romeo agrees and regains hope.

Importance: Shows Romeo’s emotional extremes and sets up the secret plan.

Where does Romeo run to hide following the killing of Tybalt?

Friar Laurence’s cell

How does Romeo react to the news that he is banished from Verona?

• He mopes and cries and says that it’s worse than death since he will no longer get to see Juliet

• He threatens to kill himself

The Friar gives three reasons that Romeo should be happy. What are they?

• Juliet is alive

• He is alive

• his sentence of banishment is a mercy, not death, allowing them a future together

What does the Nurse give to Romeo?

A wedding ring from Juliet

What happens in Scene 4?

Juliet’s parents arrange her marriage to Paris

• Lord Capulet talks with Paris.

• Capulet decides Juliet should marry Paris soon to lift her spirits.

• The wedding is set for Thursday.

• Capulet believes he’s being kind, unaware of Juliet’s secret marriage.

Importance: Creates dramatic irony and major conflict for Juliet.

On what day does Lord Capulet plan for Juliet to be married to Paris? Why do you think he is being so hasty in his plans?

• on Thursday (three days from then)

• he wants Juliet to get married as soon as possible, since he has found a suitable husband for her

What happens in Scene 5?

Romeo and Juliet’s farewell; Juliet is threatened

• Romeo and Juliet spend the night together.

• They argue whether it is morning or night because they don’t want to part.

• Romeo leaves for Mantua.

• Lady Capulet tells Juliet she will marry Paris.

• Juliet refuses.

• Lord Capulet becomes furious, threatens to disown her.

• The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris.

• Juliet feels betrayed and decides to seek help from Friar Laurence.

Importance: Juliet is isolated and forced toward desperate action.

What is significant about the lark singing versus the nightingale?

• lark (morning bird, sings in morning), represents Juliet

• nightingale (night bird, sings at night), represents Romeo

• both have different sounds and can never be out/awake at the same time

What vision does Juliet have as Romeo is climbing down the ladder from Juliet’s chamber?

romeo dies

What news does Lady Capulet give to Juliet, and what is Juliet’s reaction to the news that Lady Capulet gives her?

• her father has scheduled her marriage with Paris on Thursday

• Juliet reacts with shock, anger, and defiance

What advice does the Nurse give Juliet? What is Juliet’s reaction to the Nurse’s advice?

• marry Paris, since Romeo is banished and does not matter to her anymore

• Juliet lies and puts on an act like she agrees with her to please her and her parents

• in actuality, she feels betrayed by Nurse

Why does Juliet tell the Nurse that she is going to see Friar Laurence?

to confess because she has made her father unhappy

If the Friar cannot find a solution for Juliet, what does Juliet say she has the power to do?

kill herself