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Act I, i 1. Why do Sampson and Gregory fight with the Montague’s men? 2. Benvolio and Tybalt come upon servants fighting. Contrast their reactions to the fight. 3. When Montague and Capulet enter and see the disturbance, they want to fight too. What do their wives say? 4. Who ends the skirmish? How do they do it? 5. What do we learn about Romeo from his family even before we meet him?

6. What is Benvolio able to find out about the cause for Romeo’s behavior?

Act I, ii 7. What request does Paris make to Lord Capulet?

8. What is Capulet’s response to Paris’ request?

9. What unusual choice does Lord Capulet give his daughter considering the time period?

10. How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about Capulet’s party?

11. Why does he decide to go even though (being a Montague) he is not invited?

Act I, iii 12. How old is Juliet? When is her birthday? 13. This scene could be very short if not for the Nurse. What purpose does the Nurse serve in this scene?

14. What is the Nurse’s opinion of Paris, cite examples from the play to support your answer.

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15. What is Lady Capulet’s advice for her daughter about love and marriage?

16. Describe Juliet’s relationship with her family based on what you’ve seen so far in Act I? Act I, iv 17. How is Romeo behaving at the beginning of this scene? How do his friends respond to him? 18. How are Romeo and his friends planning on not being detected at the party? 19. Who is Queen Mab? 20. What is the purpose of Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech?

21. How does Mercutio’s ideas of dreams contrast with Romeo’s beliefs?

22. Based on quote eight in Act I what is ironic about the content of Romeo’s dream?

Act I, v 23. How does Tybalt react when he discovers Romeo at the party?

24. How does Lord Capulet react when he sees Romeo at the party?

25. Why does Lord Capulet lose his temper in this scene?

26. What is the extended metaphor used between Romeo and Juliet’s first lines to each other?

Act II—Prologue 1. According to the Chorus, how is Romeo’s love for Juliet different than his love for Rosaline?

2. In lines 9-13 of the Prologue, What problems does the Chorus foresee for Romeo and Juliet?

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3. According to the Chorus how will Romeo and Juliet overcome their problems?

Act II, i 4. Why are Romeo’s friends angry with him?

5. How does Mercutio try to encourage Romeo to come out of hiding?

Act II, ii 6. What metaphor does Romeo use in describing Juliet at the beginning of this scene? See the text notes and

explain the double meaning of this metaphor. 7. What concerns does Juliet voice about their relationship?

8. Why is Juliet to send a servant to meet Romeo the next day? Act II, iii 9. What is Friar Lawrence’s special skill or area of knowledge?

10. With what does Friar Lawrence compare the beneficial and poisonous parts of the plant? 11. What doubts does Friar Lawrence have about Romeo’s proposal?

12. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? Act II, iv

13. Already there is a consequence from the previous night, what is it?

14. What change do Romeo’s friends see in him? What do they think happened to cause this?

15. How do Romeo’s friends treat the Nurse? Why?

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16. Why must the Nurse meet with Romeo’s servant later that day?

17. What information does the Nurse give Romeo about Juliet that may impact his future?

Act II, v 18. How long does Juliet await the Nurses’ return?

19. Why is this scene so long? Why does Shakespeare do this?

Act II, vi 20. What warning does Friar Lawrence give Romeo foreshadowing the events of the play? 21. How soon after they meet do Romeo and Juliet marry?

Act III, i 1. What issues does Mercutio have with Tybalt at the beginning of this scene? 2. Why won’t Romeo fight Tybalt? 3. Why does Mercutio get involved in a fight that isn’t about him? 4. Why does Mercutio curse both of the houses?

5. Romeo says he is “Fortune’s fool” do you agree or disagree with him? Why/ why not? 6. What punishment did Escalus give Romeo for fighting? Why has he changed his initial sentencing?

Act III, ii 7. In years after this play was written Juliet’s opening monologue in this scene was often cut because it was deep

too inappropriate for women to read. What about this monologue makes it so scandalous?

8. Why is there so much confusion at the beginning of this scene? What purpose does this confusion serve?

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9. Why does Romeo’s actions put Juliet in a bad position?

10. What does she finally decide? Why?

Act III, iii

11. Check all the words that describe Romeo’s mood as he reacts to the news of his punishment. ! Angry ! Regretful ! Suicidal ! Hopeful

! Prayerful ! Stubborn ! Controlled ! Uncontrolled

Briefly explain why you choose those adjectives.

12. In Friar’s “pep-talk” what does he tell Romeo to be thankful for?

13. What plans for the future does Friar Lawrence make for Romeo?

Act III, iv 14. Why has Lord Capulet changed his mind about letting Juliet wait until she is older to marry? 15. What day has Lord Capulet set for Juliet to marry Paris?

Act III, v 16. What is Juliet’s reaction to her mother’s news? 17. What is Capulet’s reaction when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?

18. What advice does the Nurse give Juliet? 19. What is Juliet’s reaction to this advice?

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Act IV 1. Why does Paris call on Friar Lawrence? 2. What reason does Juliet give for going to see Friar Lawrence? Why is she really there?

3. Fill out the calendar below detailing what must be done each day for Friar’s plan to work:

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

4. What unintentional impact does Lord Capulet have on Friar’s plan? Why could this be a problem? 5. What questions or doubts come to Juliet’s mind as she prepares to drink the potion? 6. Who first attempts to wake Juliet? 7. How has timing become a huge factor in the pacing and outcome of the play? 8. What is the purpose of the scene between Peter and the musicians?

9. Why do you suppose it is often cut?

Act V 1. What news does Balthazar bring Romeo?

2. What plans does Romeo make after hearing Balthazar’s news?

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3. What unforeseen snag occurs in scene ii to Friar Lawrence’s plan?

4. Why is Paris at Juliet’s tomb?

5. What does Paris suspect about the arrival of Romeo? What does he attempt to do?

6. What request does Paris make to Romeo?

7. What does Romeo observe about Juliet as he says his last goodbyes? Why is this ironic?

8. How will Capulet and Montague honor the memory of their children?

9. By family association, list who have died during the course of the play.

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Calendar: Fill out the calendar as we progress through the play providing details on what happens on each day.

Fr

i

Th

ur

s

We

d

Tu

es

Mo

n

Su

n

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Irony in Romeo and Juliet Find examples of each kind of irony throughout the play.

Situational Irony When one's efforts produces the

opposite results of what was expected

Verbal Irony A contrast between what is said and what is

actually meant

Dramatic Irony When the audience knows things the

characters do not