Romeo and Juliet – Story Questions – Prologue and Act I

What city is the setting for the play? Verona, Italy
Why are Romeo and Juliet called “star-crossed lovers”? They are lovers whose relationship is doomed by outside forces.
What is the format of the prologue? It is in sonnet form.
The audience knows the outcome of the play before the actors take the stage. What kind of irony is this? Why? Dramatic irony because the audience has information that the characters don’t.
Who is fighting at the beginning of the first scene in Scene 1? The Montagues and Capulets are fighting.
What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word/ As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee”. In this passage, Tyalt is portrayed as the _______________. Antagonist
What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet? If these families fight again, the Prince says the punishment will be death.
Romeo: “O brawling love! O loving hate! The literary device utilized here is ________________. oxymoron
Romeo: “Love is a smoke raised with fume of sighs” The literary device used here is _______________. metaphor
Romeo “Out of her favor, where I am in love” What does Romeo mean? He loves Rosaline, but she doesn’t love him.
What line proves Romeo is undergoing internal conflict? Tut, I have lost myself. I am not here.
What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo? Get over her – look at other beautiful women.
What does Benvolio’s name mean? How does it fit him? Goodwill – he is a peacemaker.
Capulet to Paris “My child is yet a stranger in her world/she hath not seen the change of fourteen years”. What does Capulet mean? How old is Juliet? Capulet thinks Juliet is too young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Juliet is 13 and not ready for marriage.
Capulet appears to change his mind about Paris’ question. What does he then tell Paris? He tells Paris that he must woo Juliet so that Juliet will decide for herself to accept his proposal.
What is ironic about the way Romeo and Benvolio are invited to the Capulet party? Situational irony – they are invited by a servant of the Capulet family.
What does Romeo hope will happen at the party? He can see Rosaline.
What does Benvolio hope will happen at the party? Romeo will get over Rosaline.
When Lady Capulet asks Juliet how she feels about marriage, what is Juliet’s answer? Juliet says she has not given marriage any thought, but she will look upon Paris at the feast to see if she can love him.
Juliet has a lengthy conversation with her mother. Describe their relationship. Their relationship is distant and formal. Juliet is much more relaxed with the nurse.
Mercutio compares love to dreams. Based on this metaphor, what is Mercutio’s opinion of love? It is meaningless and for fools.
In what ways does Mercutio serve as a foil character to Romeo? Mercutio doesn’t take anything seriously. Romeo is overly passionate about everything.
What does Romeo think of Juliet the first time he sees her? He compares her to light. Love at first sight.
When Tybalt is ready to seize Romeo and throw him out of the party, what does Capulet say to Tybalt? Capulet orders Tybalt to contain his anger. Capulet says Verona speaks well of Romeo, and it’s not worth ruining the party.
Why would Shakespeare use religious diction (word choice) when writing about young lovers meeting for the first time? To show they think their love is something so real and powerful that it’s sacred.
What does pilgrims mean? Why does Romeo call his lips two blushing pilgrims? People journeying to a holy place. His lips want to journey to pay respect to the shrine that is Juliet.
Romeo climbs the orchard wall to see Juliet. In what ways are these walls symbolic? The wall is symbolic of the families’ hatred separating the two lovers.
What does Mercutio say about blind love? Love is random and means nothing.
Mercutio is still the jester, taunting Romeo. How do his taunts contrast with Romeo’s situation with Juliet? Romeo and Juliet’s new love, discovered moments before, seems pure and sincere, when compared to Mercutio’s rants and his contempt for all romantic love.