Romeo and Juliet Act 1

What form of poetry is the prologue? a sonnet
What is the purpose of the prologue? provides background, setting, plot summary, and tone
What atmosphere does the prologue suggest will be most strongly stressed in the play? How do you know? negative ex: “from ancient grudge break to new mutiny”
1:1- The heads of the two households/families Lord Capulet and Lord Montague
1:1- the play takes place Verona, Italy
Tybalt Lady Capulet’s nephew
Benvolio friend and cousin of Romeo
Romeo Montague son
Escalus Prince of Verona
Sampson and Gregory Capulet servants
Abram Montague servants
Rosaline loved by Romeo but doesn’t love Romeo
Mercutio relative of the Prince and friend of Romeo
1:1- The Prince declares a death sentence against who? and why? He declares a death sentence against the “enemies of peace” if they quarrel again.
1:1- Why is Romeo so sorrowful during scene 1? He is “out of Rosaline’s favor.”
1:1- Romeo constantly shuts himself in his room to make a what? What motif is illustrated? an “artificial night”- light/dark, death/tragedy, love/emptiness
1:1- What oxymorons the love and opposites of love? father of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, waking sleep
1:1- What does Romeo compare love to? smoke made of fumes of sighs, fire in a lovers eyes, sea of tears, madness must discreet, choking gall, preserving sweet
1:1- According to Benvolio, Romeo might alter his mood by…? forgetting to think of Rosaline and try to find someone else.
1:1- Romeo reacts to Benvolio’s suggestion with disbelief because…? he believes that her beauty is surpassed and unforgettable.
1:2- Who does Paris want to marry? Juliet
1:2-What does Lord Capulet say about the possible marriage between Paris and Juliet? What motif is being illustrated? He says he will agree if Juliet desires to marry Paris. Motif- Arranged marriage.
1:2- Who asks who to read the guest list? The illiterate servant asks Romeo to read the guest list because the servant, himself, cannot read.
1:2-Why does Romeo go to the party? After reading the guest list, he sees Rosaline’s name and is, therefore, encouraged to go to the party to prove to Benvolio that no other woman can ever compare/take the place of Rosaline.
1:3- What does Lady Capulet discuss with Juliet? the prospect of marriage
1:3- Who interrupts the conversation between Lady Capulet and Juliet? The Nurse interrupts with remembrance of Juliet’s childhood.
1:3- What kind of character is the nurse? The Nurse is very talkative, maternal, humorous. She acts as a mother figure to Juliet.
1:3-How does the Nurse describe Paris? “a man of wax”- very attractive and handsome.
1:3- How does Juliet respond to Paris’ request of marriage. She claims to not be interested in marriage but agrees to give him a chance.
1:3- Juliet says she will love Paris no more than her mothers “consent gives strength to make it fly.” What kind of daughter is she? Precocious and stubborn, but will abide out of love.
1:4- What does Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech reveal about his character? He is a tester, lighthearted, creative, wise guy.
1:4- What other character does Mercutio remind you of? The nurse- they both like to talk.
1:4- Summarize the Queen Mab speech. Mab is a tiny fairy who visits slumbering people and conjures up dreams for them. The dreams can be nice and beautiful or brightening and vile. Man is a metaphor for love.
1:4-Why doesn’t Romeo want to attend the Capulet party? He is scared and has had an ominous dream.
1:4-What does Romeo’s ominous dream foreshadow? Death
1:4- How are Mercutio and Romeo foil characters? Romeo: “Say love a tender thing? it is too rough./Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like a thorn” (16). Mercutio: “If love be rough with you, be rough with love;/ Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” (16).
1:4- What does Queen Mab symbolize in the play? She symbolized love in that it starts out all nice and beautiful and turns negative, deadly.
1:4-What motif is used in Romeo’s last speech? Stars; symbolize Romeo’s death/denial
1:5- Where does the scene begin? and what is the general atmosphere? at the party; festive.
1:5- How does Tybalt know it’s Romeo? He recognizes his voice
1:5- What does Tybalt think Romeo is talking about. He thinks that Romeo has come to scorn out solemnity and wants Lord Capulet to throw him out.
1:5- What does Lord Capulet claim to have heard about Romeo? He says he has heard that Romeo is a virtuous and well-governed youth. He tells Tybalt to disregard his presence.
1:5- When Lord Capulet tells Tybalt, “This trick may chance to scathe you.” What is Shakespeare foreshadowing? Tybalt’s habit of fighting may cause his demise one day, which lets the reader know that Tybalt will probably encounter a blow which will cause his death.
1:5-What happens as the scene ends? The atmosphere transforms into a feeling of dread as Romeo and Juliet, members of enemy families, have fallen in love.
1:5- In line 54, Romeo asks, “Did my heart love till now?” How would you answer his question? Explain. Does Romeo even know what love is? It seems as though he confuses lust and infatuation with love.
1:5- What do Romeo and Juliet do at the end of scene 5? They kiss and part. Then, they each discover that the other is a member of the enemy’s house. Both are saddened by their bad luck, but neither disclaim their love for one another.
September 5, 2019