Romeo and Juliet

Act I, PrologueLiterary Terms

1. sonnet:

2. couplet:

3. tragedy:

Comprehension Questions4. Describe the two families that are involved.

5. Where does the story take place?

6. Lately, what has been happening between the two families? (See lines 3-4)

7. What does Shakespeare mean by “star-crossed lovers”? (See line 6)

8. What is the only event that will end the strife? (See lines 5-8)

9. What will be the “two hours’ traffic of our stage”?

Act I, scene iLiterary Terms

1. classical allusion:

2. oxymoron:

Comprehension Questions3. What does it mean to “take the wall?”

4. Whom do Sampson and Gregory encounter?

5. What happens when these men meet each other?

6. Between which two families does the feud exist?

Romeo and Juliet7. What role does Prince Escalus play in the “fray”?

8. What threat does the Prince make to Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?

9. Why are the Montagues worried about Romeo?

10. What happened when Benvolio spotted Romeo?

11. How does Benvolio describe love?

12. What is the true reason for Romeo’s mood? (See lines 204-213)

13. What advice does Benvolio give to Romeo?

14. What does Romeo say in response?

Act I, scene iiLiterary Terms

1. iambic pentameter:

Comprehension Questions2. How old is Capulet’s daughter?

3. What does Paris want to do?

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

5. What event is Capulet planning?

6. What does Capulet send his servant to do?

7. Under what circumstances does the servant invite Romeo to the event?

Romeo and Juliet

8. What role does fate play in this scene? Explain.

9. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to attend the Capulet party?

10. What is the name of the woman Romeo is in love with?

11. Why does Romeo want to go to the Capulet party?

Act I, scene iiiLiterary Terms

1. comic relief:

Comprehension Questions2. When is Juliet’s birthday?

3. How old will she be?

4. What happens to Juliet in the Nurse’s story?

5. Does Juliet want to be married?

6. What does Juliet say in response to Lady Capulet’s request that Juliet consider Paris?

Act I, scene ivLiterary Terms

1. monologue:

2. foil:

3. pun:

Comprehension Questions

Romeo and Juliet4. Where are Romeo and his friends going? 5. Why are they wearing masks?

6. Will Romeo and his friends announce their arrival?

7. What does Mercutio say Queen Mab does?

8. Mercutio uses humor in an attempt to cheer up Romeo. What is humorous about Mercutio’s lines, especially his “Queen Mab” monologue?

9. What does Mercutio say dreams are?

10. What does Romeo fear?

11. What reference to fate does Romeo make as he speaks of his fear?

Act I, scene vLiterary Terms

1. foreshadow:

2. theme:

Comprehension Questions3. What are the servants doing at the beginning of this scene?

4. What are Capulet and Second Capulet arguing over a bit at the beginning of this scene?

5. How does Romeo’s attitude change in this scene?

6. Why does Tybalt become upset?

7. What does Capulet say in response to Tybalt’s anger?

8. What does Romeo do when he meets Juliet?

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and JulietAct II, Prologue

Comprehension Questions1. What does the chorus mean it says, “Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie…”?

2. Summarize what the chorus is telling us.

Act II, scene iComprehension Questions

1. What are Benvolio and Mercutio trying to do?

2. What does Benvolio say is the reason they can’t find Romeo?

Act II, scene iiLiterary Terms

1. aside:

Comprehension Questions2. How has Romeo’s mood changed since he met Juliet?

3. Whom do you think Romeo is talking about when he refers to the moon?

4. How does Romeo describe Juliet?

5. What does the word “wherefore” mean in line 33? Re-read this line using a synonym for “wherefore.”

6. How does Juliet react to Romeo’s eavesdropping?

7. What is Juliet afraid will happen if any of her “kinsmen” find Romeo there?

8. Summarize what Romeo says in lines 75-78.

9. Why is Juliet concerned Romeo isn’t taking her seriously?

Romeo and Juliet10. In your own words, what does Romeo say will give him satisfaction?

11. Why is Juliet going to send a messenger to Romeo tomorrow?

12. What do Romeo’s lines mean (156-158)?

13. What role does fate play in this scene?

Act II, scene iiiComprehension Questions

1. What is Friar Laurence doing at the beginning of this scene?

2. How does Friar Laurence know Romeo hasn’t been to bed yet?

3. Why does Friar think Romeo has been doing all night?

4. What does Romeo ask Friar to do?

5. Why is Friar Laurence concerned about marrying Romeo and Juliet so soon (lines 65-80)?

6. Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

Act II, scene ivLiterary Terms

1. dramatic irony:

Comprehension Questions2. What has Tybalt done?

3. Why has he done this?

Romeo and Juliet4. How are Benvolio and Mercutio rude to Nurse?

5. Who is Peter?

6. What warning does Nurse give Romeo in lines 155-160?

7. What plan does Romeo tell the Nurse he has for himself and Juliet?

8. What does Romeo arrange to give to Nurse?

Act II, scene vComprehension Questions

1. What is Juliet doing at the beginning of this scene?

2. What does the Nurse do to Juliet that is in line with her typical comedic relief?

3. How does Juliet react to the Nurse’s behavior (lines 31-37)?

4. Which qualities of Romeo does the Nurse admire?

5. What plans does Nurse finally reveal to Juliet regarding Romeo?

6. What does the Nurse say Juliet will have to do for herself from now on?

Act II, scene viComprehension Questions

1. Summarize what Romeo says in lines 3-8.

2. To understand what Friar Laurence thinks of the lovers’ insistence that he marry them without delay, fill in the Friar’s words below from scene vi:These violent _________________________________ have violent ends,

Romeo and JulietAnd in their triumph __________________________, like fire and gunpowder…

Therefore love _______________________: long love doth so;

Too _________________ arrives as _______________ as too slow.

With these words, the Friar warns Romeo that ______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does Romeo express the idea that in spite of tragedy, which is to close the play, their love will triumph over death?

4. What is understood to have happened by the end of this scene?

Romeo and JulietAct III, scene i

Comprehension Questions1. Recall: Why does Tybalt want to feud with Romeo?

2. What does Benvolio mean when he says, “…the Capels are abroad?”

3. How does Mercutio describe Benvolio?

4. How does Mercutio treat Tybalt when they meet?

5. Why does Romeo say he can’t fight with Tybalt?

6. What happens when Romeo tries to stop the fight?

7. After Mercutio is wounded, he cries out, “A plague on both your houses.” Who are the people Mercutio is cursing? What does he mean?

8. What does Mercutio mean when he says, “They have made worms’ meat of me?”

9. How long have Romeo and Juliet been married?

10. What foreshadowing does Romeo speak?

11. Why does the Prince have a “personal interest in this fight”?

12. What does Benvolio tell Prince Escalus happened?

13. Why does Lady Capulet protest Benvolio’s eyewitness account?

Romeo and Juliet14. Summarize the Prince’s speech in lines 183-194.

Act III, scene iiLiterary Terms

1. soliloquy:

Comprehension Questions1. How is Juliet’s soliloquy at the beginning of this scene an example of dramatic irony?

2. Examine lines 85-127. Summarize the conversation between Juliet and Nurse.

3. How long have Romeo and Juliet been married?

4. What does Nurse say she’ll do?

5. What does Juliet send for the nurse to give to Romeo?

Act III, scene iiiComprehension Questions

1. What sentence does Romeo fear Prince has given as consequence for killing Tybalt?

2. Why would Romeo rather be killed than banished?

3. Why, does Romeo say, Friar cannot understand the circumstances?

4. How does Romeo respond to the knocks on the door?

5. Whom does Friar speak of in line 117?

6. What does Friar say Romeo has to be thankful for?

Romeo and Juliet

7. What three instructions does Friar give to Romeo?

Act III, scene ivComprehension Questions

1. What change of mind has Lord Capulet made?

2. Why, does Capulet say, should the event be a small family get-together?

3. When will the event take place?

4. What day is today?

Act III, scene vComprehension Questions

1. When does this scene take place?

2. What does Juliet say in lines 43-47?

3. Why is Lady Capulet even more upset about the situation?

4. What is Lady Capulet’s plan to reconcile the situation?

5. According to Lady Capulet, why has Lord Capulet changed his mind?

6. What does Juliet say in response to marrying Paris?

7. With what tone does Capulet speak lines 150-158?

8. Why does Lord Capulet respond this way?

Romeo and Juliet

9. What is the final ultimatum Capulet gives to his daughter Juliet?

10. What does Juliet threaten?

11. What advice does Nurse give to Juliet?

12. How does Juliet react to Nurse’s advice?

13. Once again, how do Juliet’s last lines echo the Prologue?

Romeo and JulietAct IV, scene i

Comprehension Questions1. Why does Friar Laurence say he’s reluctant to marry Paris and Juliet?

2. Why does Paris say he’s not talked to Juliet about marrying?

3. What does Paris say is the reason for getting married?

4. How does Juliet behave while in front of Paris at Friar Laurence’s cell?

5. How does Juliet behave after Paris leaves?

6. What does Juliet threaten to do if Friar cannot help the situation?

7. Summarize the instructions and details of the plan Friar tells Juliet.

8. How does Friar Laurence plan on telling Romeo about the plan?

Act IV, scene iiComprehension Questions

1. What are Capulet and his servant doing at the beginning of this scene?

2. What does Juliet do when she enters the scene?

3. Why does Capulet decide to stay up this night?

Act IV, scene iiiComprehension Questions

1. Why, does Juliet say, the nurse shouldn’t stay with her tonight?

2. What are the fears Juliet has as she takes the poison (list multiple)?

Romeo and JulietAct IV, scene iv

Comprehension Questions1. What does this scene show the Capulet family and servants doing?

2. Why is this scene an example of dramatic irony?

Act IV, scene vComprehension Questions

1. What does Capulet mean when he says, “flower as she was, deflowered by him?”

Romeo and JulietAct V, scene i

Comprehension Questions1. In what city does Act V, scene i take place?

2. With what premonition does Romeo awake?

3. What news does Balthasar bring to Romeo?

4. What is an apothecary?

5. Why does Romeo visit the apothecary?

6. What is Romeo’s plan?

7. Why is the apothecary reluctant to comply with Romeo’s request?

8. Why does the apothecary finally comply?

9. Where is Romeo headed?Act V, scene ii

Comprehension Questions1. What happened to Friar John on his way to deliver Friar Laurence’s message to Romeo?

2. Why couldn’t John get someone else to take the message?

3. What is Friar Laurence’s plan now?

4. When does this scene take place?

Romeo and JulietAct V, scene iii

Literary Terms1. tragic flaw:

Comprehension Questions2. What does Paris tell his page to do?

3. What instructions does Romeo give to Balthasar?

4. What does Balthasar promise Romeo?

5. What does Balthasar actually do?

6. Why does Paris believe Juliet died?

7. What does Paris think Romeo is doing at the tomb?

8. What does Romeo beg Paris to do? Explain.

9. How does Juliet appear?

10. How does Romeo die?

11. What does Friar propose to do with Juliet?

12. Why does Friar fail to take Juliet from the Capulet tomb?

Romeo and Juliet

13. How does Juliet die?

14. What is “the watch”?

15. How is the watch informed of the situation?

16. Who else has died?

17. Why has this person died?

18. To what extent does Friar speak truthfully about what has occurred?

19. “And then will I be general of your woes / And lead you even to death.” What does the Prince mean in saying lines 219-220?

20. Does Friar understand the repercussions of his actions? Explain.

21. What revelation does the friar make to the families about Juliet in his monologue?

22. What does Capulet give his daughter as a jointure? What is a jointure?

23. What do Montague and Capulet decide to do in honor of their children?

24. Who says this famous quote? “For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”