Download Reading Questions: Act I of Romeo and Juliet and more Summaries Acting in PDF only on Docsity!
ACT I - ROMEO & JULIET READING QUESTIONS
PROLOGUE
- What city is used as the setting of the story?
Verona, Italy
- What is the role of the chorus?
briefly summarize the plot of the play; tells how the play will end
- Which two families have been feuding for decades? Why?
Montagues & Capulets because of an “ancient grudge”
ACT I
- Who is involved in the quarrel in the beginning of Act 1 scene 1?
Gregory, Sampson, Abram, Benvolio, Tybalt
- What is their interest in the feud?
Gregory & Sampson – servants for Capulets Abram – servant for Montague Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin Tybalt – Juliet’s cousin
- What final order does Prince Escalus give Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?
to stop fighting in the streets or death will occur
- Describe Benvolio.
Montague’s nephew, Romeo’s cousin & friend; tries to sweeten the fight between him & Tybalt; peacemaker; tries to stop fighting between servants
- How does Benvolio describe Tybalt? Is this an accurate description?
“fiery Tybalt;” Tybalt trying to slay him; full of hate toward Montagues; yes, this is an accurate description
- Describe Romeo’s recent behavior.
acting strangely; goes off by himself for a walk; shuts himself in his room; depressed
- How does Romeo describe Rosaline?
she does not love him & sworn herself to a life of chastity; beautiful; store of beauty will die with her because she’ll have no children; Romeo is lovesick over her
- What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo?
to forget Rosaline & gaze upon other beauties
- How does Romeo respond?
says that looking at other women will only remind him of Rosaline’s beauty
- Who is Paris?
kinsman to Prince Escalus; wants to marry Juliet
- What does Paris ask of Lord Capulet?
permission to marry Juliet
- Why does Lord Capulet turn down Paris’ request?
because Paris must win Juliet’s heart; Capulet also has agreed to let Juliet have some degree of choice in choosing her husband; Juliet is too young to marry
- What is Juliet’s current age?
13
- What advice does Lord Capulet give Paris in regards to Juliet?
advises Paris to wait 2 more years and “woo” her to win her heart
- Why does Benvolio encourage Romeo to attend the Capulet ball?
so that Romeo can get his mind off Rosaline & see other beautiful women; compare Rosaline to the other beautiful girls; to recover from his love with Rosaline
- Why does Romeo agree to go?
because he learns that Rosaline will be there
- Describe the relationship between Juliet and her mother.
distant relationship
- Who objects to Romeo’s presence?
Tybalt
- How does Lord Capulet describe Romeo?
good boy; being a gentleman; Romeo is bragged about in Verona for being a virtuous & well- groomed young man
- When Romeo and Juliet discover the identity of each other, what are their reactions?
Romeo is shocked and devastated Juliet is heart-broken & sad because her only love is that of a loathed enemy
