Romeo & Juliet Questions

ACT I, SCENE I

  1. What is the setting of the play?
  1. Why is it a big deal when Gregory and Sampson bite their thumbs at Abram?
  1. How do Benvolio and Tybalt react to the fighting?
  1. What is the Prince’s reaction?
  1. How is Romeo acting? Why?
  1. What does Benvolio suggest Romeo do?

ACT I, SCENE II

  1. Does Capulet believe he and Montague will follow the Prince’s orders? WHY?
  1. How old is Juliet?
  1. How old does Capulet think Juliet should be when she marries?
  1. Capulet agrees to let Paris marry Juliet on what condition?
  1. How does Romeo hear about Capulet’s party?
  1. Why does Benvolio tell Romeo to go to the party?
  1. Why does Romeo go?

ACT I, SCENE III

  1. Why does Lady Capulet want to talk with Juliet?
  1. What request does she make of Juliet?
  1. What is Juliet’s Response?

ACT I, SCENE IV

  1. Name 2 reasons Romeo wears a mask to the party.
  1. Why is Mercutio talking about Queen Malo?
  1. What is Romeo’s mood at the end of the scene?
Act I, Scene V
  1. What attracts Romeo to Juliet?
  1. Who recognizes Romeo at the party?
  1. How does this person react?
  1. What is Capulet’s response when he is told Romeo is at this party?
  1. How does Juliet respond to Romeo’s approach?
  1. What is Juliet’s reaction when she realizes she is attracted to a Montague?
ACT II, SCENE I
  1. Who is looking for Romeo and why is he hiding?
  1. Where is Romeo hiding?
ACT II, SCENE II
  1. In this famous scene, where is Romeo? Where is Juliet?
  1. What do they discuss?
  1. Why will Juliet send a messenger at nine tomorrow?
ACT II, SCENE III
  1. How does Friar Lawrence react when Romeo tells him about Juliet?
  1. What does Romeo argue is different about his love for Juliet?
  1. Why does the Friar agree to marry the young couple?

ACT II, SCENE IV

  1. Why has Tyblat send a letter to Romeo?
  1. What warning does the Nurse give Romeo?
  1. What does Romeo tell the Nurse to have Juliet do that afternoon?
  1. Why does Romeo want the Nurse to stay behind the abbey wall?
ACT II, SCENE V
  1. Why is Juliet worried?
  1. Where does the Nurse tell Juliet to do?
ACT II, SCENE VI
  1. What happens in this scene?
ACT III, SCENE I
  1. What kind of person does Mercutio accuse Benvolio of being?
  1. What does Tyblat want?
  1. Why does Romeo say he loves Tybalt?
  1. What happens when Romeo tries to keep Mercutio and Tyblat from fighting?
  1. What does Romeo do when he hears of his friend’s death?
  1. Why does the Prince sentence Romeo to banishment rather than death?
ACT III, SCENE II
  1. Why does Juliet defend the man who has killed her favorite cousin, Tybalt?
  1. Where does Juliet send the Nurse?
ACT III, SCENE III
  1. Why does Romeo prefer death to banishment?
  1. Who stops Romeo from stabbing himself?
  1. What does the Friar advise Romeo to do?
ACT III, SCENE IV
  1. What decision is made by Capulet and Paris?
ACT III, SCENE V
  1. As Romeo is leaving, what premonition does Juliet have?
  1. Why does Lady Capulet believe Juliet is upset? Why is she really?
  1. What “joyful” news does Lady Capulet deliver to Juliet?
  1. Why does Juliet not find this news so joyful?
  1. How does Capulet respond to his daughter’s refusal to follow his wishes?
  1. What advice does the Nurse give to Juliet?
  1. What is Juliet’s response to the Nurse’s advice?

ACT IV, SCENE I

  1. Why is Paris visiting the Friar?
  1. Outline the Friar’s (7-step) plan for Juliet to avoid marrying Paris.

ACT IV, SCENE II

  1. What is Capulet’s reaction when Juliet agrees to marry Paris?

ACT IV, SCENE III

  1. Why does Juliet place a dagger at her bedside?
  1. What three situations is Juliet fearful of?

ACT IV, SCENE IV

  1. What happens in this short scene?

ACT IV, SCENE V

  1. What happens when the Nurse goes to awaken Juliet?
  1. What does Capulet say to do with the wedding feast?

ACT V, SCENE I

  1. What news does Balthasar bring?
  1. Why does Romeo go to the apothecary?
  1. What convinces the apothecary to break the law?

ACT V, SCENE II

  1. Why was the Friar John unable to deliver Friar Lawrence’s message to Romeo?
  1. Why does Friar Lawrence hurry to the tomb?

ACT V, SCENE III

  1. What happens when Paris and Romeo meet at the tomb?
  1. What is odd about Juliet’s appearance in death?
  1. How does Romeo die?
  1. What slows the Friar’s passage to the tomb?
  1. When Juliet awakens, what does the Friar suggest to her?
  1. How does Juliet die?
  1. Besides Romeo’s death, what other sad event has befallen Montague?
  1. How does the play end?