Romeo & Juliet

Study Questions for Shakespeare's

Act One

Who are the two feuding families?
What does the behavior of the servants tell you about how they feel about the feud?
What is Benvolio’s relationship to Romeo?
Explain “dark curtains from dawn’s bed.”
What is Romeo’s obsession?
Why is it ironic that Romeo dismisses the idea of a feud?
What is a sorrow to Romeo?
How old is Juliet?
Who is in love with her?
What does Capulet tell Paris?
Where do Romeo and Benvolio decide to go at the end of the scene?
Why is Capulet not eager to renew a feud?
What does Lady Capulet ask Juliet?
What is Juliet’s response to this question?
What is important about her response?
To what extent do you believe that Juliet is capable of making mature decisions about love and marriage at this point in the play?
What happens at the party that causes Romeo to forget Rosaline?
What do Romeo and Juliet realize about one another at the end of Act One?
Why wouldn’t Capulet let Tybalt attack/kill Romeo at the ball?
How do you account for Romeo and Juliet falling in love so quickly?
Most fairy tales suggest that love will triumph in the end and that everyone in the story will live happily ever after. How does Mercutio’s Queen Mab speech differ from the usual fairy tale format? Is his speech a warning to Romeo?
What does Romeo call Juliet just prior to kissing her?

Act Two

What does Juliet mean when she says, "Deny thy father and refuse they name?"
What plans do Romeo and Juliet make at the end of the balcony scene?
What is a soliloquy?
What does Romeo call Juliet that tells her who it is speaking to her?
Why does she tell Romeo not to swear by the moon?
Explain the line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?
Do you think the nurse is wise to act as an intermediary between Romeo and Juliet? Why?
What creates the tremendous tension is scene five?
At this point in the relationship between Romeo and Juliet, which of the two do you believe is really in control of the wedding plans?
Explain the phrase: “Violent passions have violent ends.”

Act Three

How does Romeo respond to Tybalt’s insults?
What happens to Mercutio?
What happens to Tybalt?
What is the Prince’s response to this?
To where is Romeo banished?
What is the climax of the play?
When Mercutio says "a curse o’ both your houses," he is really voicing one of the central themes of the play. Why is it ironic that he says this?
What is Juliet’s first response to hearing the news of Tybalt’s death? Her second response?
How has the role of day and night been changed?
What is the Friar’s plan?
Why do you think the Nurse wants to assist Romeo and Juliet?
Why does Friar Laurence repeat the phrase, “You are fortunate”?
What news does Lady Capulet give to Juliet?
What is Juliet’s response?
What advice does the nurse give?
Why does Juliet agree to do that which her father has asked?
Romeo and Juliet talk about their relationship and again use night and day images. Why do they seem to prefer darkness over light?

Act Four

What is Friar Laurence’s idea?
Why do you think Juliet doesn’t tell the nurse of her plan?
What does Friar Laurence encourage Capulet to do after discovering Juliet’s death?
Based on previous evidence and on previous decisions that you have reached, do you believe that Capulet is sincere when he says, "And with my child my joys are buried?" Why did it take him so long to realize how much his daughter meant to him?
How is Friar Laurence’s remark “The woman is best married who dies a young bride” a misstatement.

Act Five