Romeo and Juliet Questions

For all of the questions, provide a direct quote from the play in your answer. You must incorporate a quote or quotes into your sentence(s) using proper MLA format. When citing the quote, don’t forget to include the act, scene and line. For example, use (2.2.10-14). You may also use Roman numerals if you know them! Like this: (II.ii.10-14)

Act I, Scene i

1. One of the purposes of the play’s opening scene is to win the audience’s attention. What are two ways that Shakespeare gets our attention in the opening of Act I, scene i?

2. The opening scene must also introduce the audience to the play’s characters. What do we learn about the Montague’s, the Capulet’s, Tybalt, Benvolio, and Romeo?

3. Explain why Romeo is not interested in the family feud.

4. What is the general atmosphere created by this scene?

Act I, Scene ii

1. Explain the dramatic purposes of Lord Capulet’s conversation with Paris.

2. How old is Juliet? Suggest reasons for Shakespeare having Juliet be this age.

3. What is Lord Capulet’s attitude toward Juliet and her welfare?

4. What use is made of coincidence in the case of the servant’s mission with the party invitations?

5. What is the purpose of Capulet’s party?

6. Why does Romeo want to go to this party? Why does Benvolio think that Romeo should go?

Act I, Scene iii

1. From Lady Capulet’s remarks in this scene, how old do you estimate her to be?

2. Why would girls in Shakespeare’s England marry at Juliet’s age?

3. Explain Juliet’s reaction to the thought of marriage. What do we learn about her character in this scene?

4. Why might Lady Capulet favour a marriage between her daughter and County Paris?

5. What do we learn about the character of the Nurse and her relationship with Juliet in this scene?

Act I, scene iv

1. How do Romeo and his followers gain entrance to the Capulet party?

2. What is learned about Mercutio’s character in this scene? By examining his “Queen Mab” speech, explain Mercutio’s view of love.

3. What is meant by “premonition” or “foreshadowing”? Explain Romeo’s premonition.

Act I, Scene v

1. How does Tybalt react to Romeo’s presence at the party? How does Lord Capulet restrain Tybalt?

2. What does Shakespeare use to make the sudden love of Romeo and Juliet believable?

3. Read closely the first speech between Romeo and Juliet. How does the language differ from the speeches between the other characters? Why is this speech style suitable to the lovers?

4. Explain Juliet’s foreshadowing of the outcome of the play.

5. What is ironic in this scene?

Act II, Scene i

1. How is Mercutio’s character developed in this scene?

2. Explain fully the DRAMATIC IRONY in this scene.

Dramatic irony is the effect produced in a play when a character’s actions do not fit the situation that is being developed. The effect is the result of the character’s ignorance of the full situation.

Act II, Scene ii

1. A SOLILOQUY is a speech made by a character on stage and is used to express a character’s thoughts aloud. Its dramatic purposes are to reveal the character of the speaker, to advance the plot, to comment on other characters and to create suspense or atmosphere.

By referring to the text, explain the dramatic purposes of Romeo’s soliloquy.

2. How do Romeo and Juliet express their love for one another?

3. What fear does Juliet have about their love?

4. What solution does Romeo propose for their plight?

5. What changes in Romeo’s character do you see in this scene/place?

Act II, scene iii

1. How much time has passed since the balcony scene?

2. What is the Friar’s reaction to Romeo’s feelings for Juliet?

3. Why does the Friar finally agree to marry the young lovers?

4. What warning does the Friar give Romeo in the last line of the scene? Explain the significance of this warning.

Act II, Scene iv

1. Explain the dramatic irony in the opening lines of this scene.

2. How and why has Romeo’s mood changed? Examine his conversation with Mercutio for a clue.

3. Summarize the plans made by Romeo.

4. The Nurse’s character adds comic relief to the play. Give an example of humour from this scene.

Act II, Scene v, vi

1. What is revealed about Juliet’s character in her soliloquy and in her conversation with the Nurse?

2. How and why does the Nurse tease Juliet?

3. How does the Friar foreshadow misfortune in this scene?

Act III, Scene i

1. Describe the duel between Mercutio and Tybalt. Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt?

2. Explain why this scene is considered to be the dramatic centre of the play. What mood is created here?

3. Explain Romeo’s banishment as a major complication of the play. How do the lovers’ fortunes turn downward?

4. Why was Mercutio not immediately assisted by his fellows?

Act III, Scene ii

1. Who has a soliloquy in this scene and what is revealed?

2. Is the nurse being deliberately ambiguous in this scene as she was earlier? What could be motivating the Nurse’s actions in this scene?

3. How is Juliet affected by, a) Romeo’s banishment, b) Tybalt’s death?

Act III, Scenes iii, iv

1. Compare Romeo’s grief with Juliet’s.

2. a) What is the dramatic purpose of this scene?

b) What plans are being made in III, iv? Dramatic irony here?

c) How does this scene add further complications to the love story?

3. A) How is Juliet treated by her father?

B) How is this treatment inconsistent with our knowledge of Lord Capulet’s character from earlier in the play?

4. Why does Juliet no longer trust the Nurse?

5. What are Juliet’s plans?

Act IV

1. Why has Juliet come to Friar Lawrence?

2. Explain the plan that Friar Lawrence has devised for Juliet. What are the dangers of such a plan? Suggest some alternatives for her.

3.What doubts does Juliet experience before she drinks the potion?

4. Explain both the irony and the foreshadowing in these thoughts.

Act V, Scene i

1. What is the purpose of Romeo’s soliloquy at the beginning of this scene?

2. What is Balthasar’s purpose in the play?

3. How is the line, “I defy you, stars” a significant remark in the portrayal of Romeo’s character?

4. Can you account for Romeo’s decision to use poison rather than a dagger as a means of reuniting himself with Juliet?

Act V, Scene ii

1. Explain the dramatic importance of this scene.

2. How is this scene linked to the prologue?

Act V, Scene iii

1. Show how suspense mounts in this scene.

2. What is the dramatic purpose of Paris’ appearance at the tomb?

3. Make a chain reaction diagram of the major events that lead to disaster in this final scene.

4. How is Romeo’s last speech a fitting conclusion for Shakespeare’s portrayal of this character?

5. How is the family feud finally resolved?