Reading+Guides

=Romeo and Juliet=

Act 1 Reading Questions

 * 1) What does the quarrel at the opening of Act I, Scene I tell us about the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets?
 * 2) What is the Prince’s attitude toward the feud? What penalty does he set for the next man who breaks the peace?
 * 3) What is wrong with Romeo when we first meet him? What does Benvolio suggest as a cure for him?
 * 4) What is Juliet’s feeling about marriage before she meets Romeo?
 * 5) What does she mean when she says, “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move”? Does she keep this promise?
 * 6) How do Juliet’s thoughts about marriage differ from what Lady Capulet expected?
 * 7) Looking at Mercutio’s long Queen Mab speech, what can you find about his attitude toward life? Find lines that specifically lead to your conclusions.
 * 8) What is Romeo’s reaction when he first sees Juliet? Are his feelings toward her similar to his feelings toward Rosaline? Is either more sincere than the other?
 * 9) How does Romeo react to the information that Juliet is a Capulet? Does the obstacle of their families’ lesson or heighten their attraction //to each other//? Please explain why or why not.

Act 2 Reading Questions

 * 1) Why does Juliet wish that Romeo had some other name? If he can't give up his name, what does she say that she'll do? From what you have seen of Juliet so far in the play, do you think she would?
 * 2) The balcony scene is famous for its poetry. How does the poetry in this scene help you understand or share the emotions of Romeo and Juliet? How does Juliet ask Romeo to prove his love for her?
 * 3) What plans does Romeo make for his secret marriage to Juliet? If you were Romeo, would you trust the Nurse? Does it ever occur to him not to trust her? What line(s) makes you say this? What does this show about Romeo?
 * 4) As they wait for Juliet to arrive at her wedding, does Friar Lawrence share Romeo's joy? What is the Friar's attitude toward marriage? Of what is he fearful? In your opinion, do Friar Lawrence and the Nurse act responsibly in helping Romeo and Juliet marry?
 * 5) Just before they are married, what does Romeo and Juliet to do? What is her answer? Of the two, who speaks with more common sense and practicality?

Act 3 Reading Questions

 * 1) Why is Tybalt so angry at Romeo? Why does Romeo ignore Tybalt's insults? Why does Mercutio take up the fight? Do you think it's sensible to fight someone else's battles? Is this type of self-sacrifice foolish or heroic
 * 2) Why, after killing Tybalt, does Romeo call himself "fortune's fool"?
 * 3) What is the Prince's sentence for Romeo? Do you consider the Prince's sentence mild, severe, or just? Please explain why you think this.
 * 4) Of what fact is the Prince unaware when he sentences Romeo? Do you think he is influenced by the fact that Mercutio is his own kinsman?
 * 5) The Nurse comes in with news for Juliet, but expresses is it so badly that Juliet misunderstands what has happened. What does Juliet think happened (until the Nurse straightens her out)? Later in the scene, what second thoughts does she have? Which do you think is more admirable: her initial impulses or her later change of heart? Please explain your thoughts.
 * 6) Why is Romeo in the depths of despair when he learns of the Prince's judgement? What causes his sudden change in spirits? Where else in the play has Romeo undergone such a change?
 * 7) What news does Capulet have about Paris and Juliet? Is the suddenness of this change typical of a Capulet? How does Lady Capulet expect Juliet to react to the news? What does Capulet threaten if Juliet remains stubborn?


 * Act 4 Reading Questions**
 * 1) Why has Paris come to Friar Lawrence’s cell? Why do you think Friar Lawrence doesn’t tell Paris or Capulet that Juliet is already married to Romeo? From what you know of the Friar, do you think he is worried for his own sake or the sake of Romeo and Juliet? Please explain what makes you think this.
 * 2) Discuss the meeting between Paris and Juliet. How do they greet each other? When Paris is gone, what does Juliet threaten to do? What plan does Friar Lawrence propose as a way for Juliet to get out of the marriage to Paris? What is the time limit on the plan? How is Romeo to be informed of the plan?
 * 3) When Juliet returns home, why does she pretend to accept her father’s wishes? What changes does Capulet make in the wedding plans? How will this affect the timing of Friar Lawrence’s plan? Why doesn’t Juliet think of this?
 * 4) While getting ready for bed, Juliet has a moment of fear that Friar Lawrence may have intentionally varied form the plan he explained to her. What is it she fears he might have done? What’s her reasoning? Why would he have done this? How does she reassure herself? How does she show herself to be a courageous person?
 * 5) What is ironic about the cheerful bustle of the wedding preparations? As Juliet drinks the potion, are things working out as Friar Lawrence intended? What is the next step?

Act 5 Reading Questions

 * 1) What is Romeo’s mood before he receives news of Juliet? How does he react to the news? Is this reaction similar to some of his earlier reactions? Please explain. What argument does Romeo use to persuade the Apothecary to sell him poison? Is his argument convincing? Please explain why you think this.
 * 2) Why wasn’t Friar John able to deliver Friar Lawrence’s message to Romeo? Why couldn’t he get anyone else to deliver it? How does this affect Friar Lawrence’s plan?
 * 3) Why does Paris come to the tomb? Why is he so angry when he sees Romeo? What does Romeo’s reply to Paris reveal about Romeo’s mood? What effect does Paris’s last request have on Romeo?
 * 4) Consider the encounter from the perspective of each of these two characters. What does Paris think is going on? Why is he doing what he is doing? What does he know or not know that would be relevant to him? What does Romeo think is going on? Why is he doing what he is doing? What does he know or not know that would be relevant to him?
 * 5) How does the sight of Juliet’s tomb affect Romeo? How does Romeo swear his love for the last time? When Juliet awakens, what does Friar Lawrence want her to do? Why won’t she? Why do you think the Friar doesn’t force her to come away with him? Why does Juliet kill herself so quickly? Is her determination and the suddenness of her decision typical of her? Where else in the play does she deeply commit herself by making a quick decision?

**The Body Count** Now that the play is over, six people have died. Who are they, and how did each die?