Worksheet for Act 1
**Students should be completing the worksheet as they read. **

Romeo and Juliet
ACT I

Prologue
1. Does the prologue give too much away or does it create a kind of suspense?

Scene 1
2. How does opening the play with a fight scene affect the audience?

3. Why do you think Shakespeare doesn’t tell his audience the reason for the feud?

4. Although Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, much of the play is quite comic.
To what extent are Romeo’s feelings for Rosaline comic?
Identify one other comic element in this scene.

5. Is Romeo in love with Rosaline or is it infatuation?  Explain.

6. The most important character introduced in the early part of this scene is Tybalt.  Although he speaks only five lines, he leaves an unforgettable impression on the audience.  Describe the kind of personality conveyed by these five lines. (ln 66-72)

Tybalt.
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio; look upon thy death
Benvolio.
I do but keep the peace.  Put up thy sword,
Or manage it to part these men with me.
Tybalt.
What, drawn, and talk of peace?  I hate the word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Have at thee, coward!

Scene 2
7. It was not uncommon during Shakespeare’s day for girls to marry at age fourteen.
How does Capulet feel about arranging a marriage for Juliet at this age?

8. Romeo and Juliet has been called a tragedy of fate because its ending depends so much on chance and coincidence.  What evidence in this scene can be used to support this view?

8. Romeo and Juliet has been called a tragedy of fate because its ending depends so much on chance and coincidence.  What evidence in this scene can be used to support this view?

Scene 3
9. This scene introduces the Nurse, who is truly comic in her effect.  Identify a comedic element of her speech.

10. Although Juliet does not speak very many lines in this scene, we learn a great deal about her character.  What are your first impressions of Juliet?

11. In lines 84-95, Lady Capulet utilizes an extended metaphor to describe Paris.  She compares Paris to a book and Juliet to a cover that will make the book complete.  Write a metaphor in which you compare a husband or wife to an interesting object.

Scene 4
12. What two views of dreams are presented in this scene?

13. We can assume that Mercutio, like Romeo, is a teenager.  What are your first impressions of him?  How would a friend describe him?  How would a teacher describe him?

14. Does the “Queen Mab” speech serve any dramatic purpose?

15. Does Romeo’s premonition show that fate is determining his “course”?

Scene 5
16. What evidence occurs in this scene that shows Lord Capulet is taking the Prince’s warning seriously?

17. Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight and express their love for each other, not only in religious terms, but also in sonnet form.  What effect do you think Shakespeare intended to create by depicting the lovers’ meeting in this way?

18. Why does Juliet ask the Nurse about the other guests before directing her attention to determining the identity of Romeo?  What does this tactic suggest about Juliet’s character?