Romeo and Juliet Act 1-2

In what city does the play take place?

Verona, Italy

Why are Romeo and Juliet called "star-cross'd lovers"?

They are thwarted by fate through influence of the stars

Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene?

The Montague and Capulet servingmen

Who tries to break up the fighting? What does this tell you about his character?

Benvolio, Benvolio is a peacemaker

What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet

He threatens to kill them if they are caught fighting again

Benvolio and Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting. What do they have to say about him?

Romeo is depressed, isolated, and secretive

Why is Romeo so sad? Explain.

Because he loves a girl but she does not love him back

What is Benvolio's advice to Romeo?

He advises him to forget her and find someone else

Why does Capulet think it will be easy for Montague and him to keep the peace?

Because they have the same punishment and are older/more mature now

What does Paris ask about Capulet? What is Capulet's first answer? What does he change his mind to?

Paris asks for consent to marry Juliet (at first Capulet says she is too young, but later he tells Paris to 'woo' Juliet at the party ad marry her but only if she gives consent)

What problem does the servant have?

He cannot read the list

What is the name of the woman Romeo loves?

Rosaline

What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do?

They go to the party to meet girls

How old is Juliet?

13 (almost 14)

When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet's answer?

Juliet does not think about it

Following Juliet's answer, what does Lady Capulet then tell Juliet?

She tells her that she should at least meet Paris

According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do?

She is a dream-giving midwife of fairies

What does Mercutio say about dreams?

He says dreams are not indicative of real life

What is Romeo's mood at the end of this scene? Explain.

Romeo is apprehensive because he believes he will die as a result of tonight's events, yet he is accepting and believes he is in fate's hands

What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her?

He thinks she is the most beautiful girl in the world

How does Tybalt recognize Romeo?

He recognizes Romeo's voice

When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Capulet say to Tybalt?

Capulet says Romeo should be allowed to stay because he is a good man (he is avoiding a fight)

Explain what the conversation is between Romeo and Juliet.

They discuss (in a metaphor/sonnet) praying & kissing

How does Romeo find out Juliet's last name?

He asked the Nurse Juliet's mother's name

How does Juliet find out Romeo's last name?

She tells her Nurse to find out.

Romeo

son of Montague

Juliet

daughter of Capulet

Benvolio

nephew of Montague and friend of Romeo

Mercutio

friend of Romeo who loves to talk and talk

Balthasar

servant to Romeo

Friar Laurence

priest that marries Romeo and juliet

Tybalt

nephew of Lady Capulet

Nurse

loyal servant to Capulets who raised Juliet

Paris

nobleman who wishes to marry Juliet

Prince Escalus

ruler of Verona

1. What does Mercutio say about "blind love"? Line 36

"If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark"

2. When Juliet appears on her balcony, what does Romeo compare her to? Line 3

"It is the East and Juliet is the sun."

3. How does Juliet "speak, yet . . . [say] nothing"? Lines 12 and 13

"She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?/ Her eye discourses; I will answer it."

4. When Juliet leans her cheek on her hand, what does Romeo say? Lines 25-26.

"O, that I were a glove upon that hand,/That I might touch that cheek!"

5. Unaware of his presence, what does Juliet ask Romeo to say? Line 37

"Deny thy father and refuse thy name,"

6. In a sentence or two, explain what Juliet says about names. Lines 36-39; Lines 41-50

Names mean nothing. "'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Tough art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face. O, be some other name Belonging to a man. What's a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."

7. Juliet asks how Romeo got into her place. The orchard walls are high, and Romeo's life would be in danger if her relatives were to find him there. What is Romeo's response to these questions? Lines 71-72

"With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls,/For stony limits cannot hold love out,"

8. Why is Juliet embarrassed? Lines 90-94

"Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face,/Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek/For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight./Fain would I dwell on form; fain, fain, deny what I have spoke."

9. Juliet is going to send someone to Romeo on the following day for what purpose? Lines 150-155

"If that thy bend of love be honorable,/Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow/By one that I'll procure to come to thee,/Where and what tie thou wil perform the rite, And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay/And floow thee my [lord] throughout the world."

10. What has Friar Laurence been out gathering in his basket? Line 8 (and others that follow).

"I must upfill this osier cage of ours with baleful weeds and precious juiced flowers."

11. When Friar Laurence sees Romeo, what comment does Friar Laurence make about seeing Romeo so early in the morning? Lines 39-45

"But where unbruised' youth with unstuffed brain/Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign./Therefore thy earliness doth me assure…Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight."

12. What does Friar Laurence mean when he says to Romeo, "Young men's love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes?

Love of beauty.

13. Friar Laurence agrees to perform the marriage ceremony for Romeo and Juliet for what reason? Lines 97-99

(it will unite their families) "In one respect I'll thy assistant be,/For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households rancor to pure love."

14. According to Mercutio, what kind of man is Tybalt? Lines 20-27

He is an expert swordsman, a duelist, "the very butcher of a silk button…"

15. What is the nurse saying to Romeo in lines 167-174?

You can trust me, and know that you must honor Juliet's innocence, for she is young: "And, as I told you, my young lady bid me inquire you out. But first let me tell you, if you should lead her in a fool's paradise…it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, and very weak dealing."

16. How is Juliet to arrange to meet Romeo? Lines 183-186

"Bid her devise/Some means to come to shrift this afternoon,/And there she shall at Friar Lawrence' cell/Be shrived and married."

17. The nurse is supposed to be gone only a half hour, but she is actually gone for how long? Lines 10-11

"From this day's journey, and from nine to twelve/Is [three] long hours, yet she is not come."

18. How is the nurse behaving that is frustrating to Juliet?

She's stalling to provoke Juliet, pretending to be too tired, out of breath, etc.

19. What does Friar Laurence mean when he says, "Therefore, love moderately; long love doth so"?

Love in moderation will last—if only passionate, it will burn out.