Characters
The fight in scene one begins with this gesture.
What is biting a thumb?
Why does Capulet's servant invite Romeo and Benvolio to the party?
The servant is illiterate and cannot read the list so Romeo helps him read it. As a sign of gratitude, the servant invites him to the party.
Why is the balcony scene after the party an example of dramatic irony?
The audience knows that Romeo is hiding in the orchard and can hear Juliet. Juliet does not know this. This creates humor and suspense.
While everyone around this character is urging her to be married, she does not have much interest in marriage.
Who is Juliet?
What advice does Benvolio give to Romeo on how to deal with love?
Forget about the girl who broke your heart and move on. There are many other girls out there.
How does Tybalt respond to Romeo attending the party?
What character trait is emerging as Romeo's tragic flaw? Provide an example to support your claim.
Impulsiveness
Romeo instantly falls in love with Juliet, he quickly proposes to Juliet, and marries her within 12 hours of knowing her.
This character is sick of the Capulets and Montagues fighting. He has threatened death to whoever participates in another public fight.
Who is Prince Escalus?
How old is Juliet according to the Nurse and Lady Capulet?
13
Why will Lord Capulet not allow Tybalt to fight Romeo?
Capulet thinks Romeo is a nice boy. He tells Tybalt not to fight him.
Who seems to be the antagonist in the play? Why?
Tybalt. Tybalt wants to kill Romeo.
This character is constantly joking around, and he tends to be vulgar.
Who is Mercutio?
Give two reasons why Lord Capulet is unwilling to offer Paris his daughters hand in marriage.
1. She is too young. 2. She is his last remaining child. 3. Paris may like other girls better.
In Scene 4, what reason does Romeo give for wanting to avoid the Capulets’ party?
He has dreamed that something bad will happen.
How is Friar Laurence performing the ceremony for Romeo and Juliet an example of dramatic irony?
Only Romeo, Juliet, Nurse, Friar, and Balthasaar know about the wedding. The other characters in the play don't know that Romeo and Juliet are married. This creates suspense.
This character is rational and thinks things through. He tries to be the peacemaker before the fight starts in Scene 1.
Who is Benvolio?
While speaking with Juliet about marriage, this character compares Juliet’s suitor to a book, implying that Juliet should consider marrying him.
Who is Lady Capulet
Explain why Tybalt and Benvolio are foils of each other in Scene 1.
Benvolio acts as the peacemaker and tries to break up the fight. Tybalt acts as the aggressor and wants to fight.
At the party, Romeo and Juliet join hands. What metaphor does Romeo use to compare their joined hands?
He compares them to pilgrims praying.
The Friar says, "Violent delights have violent ends;" what does this mean?
Something that is felt intensely can also end intensely.