ROMEO AND JULIET: Act I Reading and Study Guide

TEACHER EDITION

1. How do we learn the feelings and desires of characters if they are not
expressly stated?
By listening to what they say, the DIALOGUE.

Prologue:
2. In what city does this play take place?
Verona
3. Why are Romeo and Juliet called “star-cross’d lovers”?
Because the planets were aligned a certain way when they were born; they
were ‘doomed’ from birth.

Scene 1:
4. Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene?
Sampson and Gregory—Capulet’s servants, Montague’s men
5. Who shows that he is a peacemaker by pulling out his sword to attempt to end
the argument?
Benvolio.
6. Who then begins to fight that person?
Tybalt then shows up and starts fighting Benvolio.
7. What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?
That Montague and Capulet will pay with their lives if they ever incite a riot
again.
8. Benvolio and Montague describe the way Romeo has been acting. What do
they have to say about him?
That he has been sad, crying and shutting himself up in his room and
wanting to be alone.
9. Why is Romeo so sad? Explain.
He is in love with a girl who doesn’t love him back.
10. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? Give a QUOTE directly from the text:
Find a new girl! “Examine other beauties.” Act 1 scene 1 line 222.

Scene 2:
11. Who is Paris?
A wealthy suitor.
12. What does Paris ask Capulet?
For Juliet’s hand in marriage, he wants to know if Capulet says yes.
13. What is Capulet’s first answer? Give a QUOTE directly from the text:
She’s too young! “My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen
the change of fourteen years.” Act 1, scene 2 line 8,9.
14. What is Paris’ reply to Capulet’s first answer?
Younger than she are happy mothers made—she’s not too young!
15. What is the name of the woman Romeo loves?
Rosaline
16. What do Romeo and Benvolio decide to do?
They’ll go to the party in disguise, and Romeo will try to woo Rosaline, but
he’ll also look at other ladies just because Benvolio wants him to.
Scene 3:
17. How old is Juliet?
Thirteen
18. When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s
answer?
“it is an honor that I dream not of”—she really hasn’t thought about it.
19. Why do the Nurse and Lady Capulet want Juliet to marry Paris?
Because he’s rich.

Scene 4:
20. What kind of person is Mercutio? Does he believe in love, does he
sympathize with Romeo’s pain over not having Rosaline?
He doesn’t believe in love, he believes that there are too many beauties to
be in love with just one.

Scene 5:
21. What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her? Include a QUOTE:
She is incredibly beautiful, he says “beauty too rich for use, for earth too
dear.” Act 1, scene 5, line 45)
22. How does Tybalt recognize Romeo?
His voice
23. What kind of person is Tybalt?
Passionate, strong-willed
24. When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what
does Capulet say to Tybalt?
Leave him alone, let everyone enjoy the party.
25. Explain the conversation between Romeo and Juliet. What are they saying to
each other?
They are flirting, Romeo is flattering Juliet and asking to kiss her.
26. How does Romeo find out Juliet’s last name?
The Nurse tells him.
27. What does Romeo say upon discovering Juliet is a Capulet? Include a QUOTE:
“My life is my foe’s debt,” my life now belongs to my enemy. Act 1, scene 5,
line 117.
28. How does Juliet find out Romeo’s last name?
She asks her Nurse to find out.
29. What does Juliet say upon discovering Romeo is a Montague? Include a
QUOTE:
“My only love, sprung from my only hate!” Act 1, scene5, line 136.
30. Romeo is fighting along with all the other Montague’s in scene 1.
FALSE
31. Benvolio is Romeo’s cousin.
TRUE
32. Romeo’s friend, Mercutio, is sympathetic to Romeo’s woe over Rosaline.
FALSE
33. Juliet is NOT interested in marriage when asked about marriage.
TRUE
34. Romeo and Juliet have never met before the Capulet’s party.
TRUE
35. Juliet is not interested in Romeo at all.
FALSE