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R&J: Act I
Scene 1

1. Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets, are bragging, vulgar-mouthed men who engage in word games. What off-color remark does Sampson make?

2. What is there about the talk and the actual actions of Gregory and Sampson which suggests that they arte not as brave and tough as they pretend? Give an example of their actions that contradict their talk.

3. Who is Benvolio and what does he attempt to do?

4. How does Tybalt, a Capulet, misinterpret Benvolio’s action? What does Tybalt say to him?

5. Why is Tybalt considered hot-tempered?

6. What does Lady Capulet say about Lord Capulet’s age and condition?

7. What prompts Lady Montague to h old her husband back from the fight?

8. The Prince appears, and he is angry. Why is he angry, and what is the promise and threat he makes?

9. Lady Montague, glad that Romeo has missed the fight, asks Benvolio if he has seen Romeo. What is Benvolio’s response? Be specific in the details.

10. At this point, what is Lady Montague worried about?

11. Romeo enters and tells Benvolio the problem. What is the problem?

12. Romeo’s lines can be seen as presenting the paradox of love or simply as romantic nonsense. What indication is there that Romeo recognizes that his sentiments could be viewed as romantic nonsense/

13. What is Benvolio’s response?

14. Although both are saddened by unrequited love, what joke are they able to make/

15. What is the nature of Romeo’s desire toward Rosaline? According to the tradition of courtly love, how is Romeo expected to respond to her rejection?

Scene 2

1. After some small talk, Paris gets to the point of his visit. What does he ask of lord Capulet?

2. What is Capulet’s response?

3. Paris responds that girls younger than she have been married. What is Capulet’s response to this?

4. What suggestion and invitation does Capulet give to Paris?

5. Romeo, lamenting his unrequited love, is approached by the illiterate servingman. In reading the list he finds that Rosaline, his love, is going to attend the Capulet party. What suggestion does Benvolio make?

6. When Romeo responds that she is the most beautiful woman since time began, what is Benvolio’s response?

Scene 3

1. The nurse quotes the vulgar remark that her husband made to young Juliet and then likes it so much that she repeats it. What do the nurse’s indecent remarks in front of the family indicate about her relationship with them?

2. What does Juliet’s mother tell Juliet?

3. What is Juliet’s response?

Scene 4

1. . Why does Romeo say he will not be able to dance?

2. How do these Montagues expect to be able to enter a Capulet house?

3. Romeo seems to believe that dreams have something to do with our lives; perhaps, dreams act as a warning or omen. What is Mercutio’s opinion of dreams?

4. How does Mercutio end this conversation?

5. What is Romeo’s misgiving, and what dos the line “some consequence, yet hanging in the stars” have to do with his feeling of dread?

Scene 5

1. Lord Capulet and a relative stand, unmasked, on one side of the room. Romeo, masked, standing on the other side, asks a servingman who Juliet is. How does Romeo describe the girl, and what does he conclude?

2. What is the hot-tempered Tybalt’s reaction when he hears Romeo’s voice?

3. What does Lord Capulet say to Tybalt?

4. Tybalt obeys his uncle, but what does he vow?

5. Romeo, goes up to Juliet, begins a conversation, and ends up kissing her twice before the Nurse comes and tells Juliet that her mother wants her. Romeo and his friends leave. How do we know that Juliet feels strongly about Romeo as he does about her?