Download Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet
Act One Study Guide
ACT ONE -SCENE ONE
1. Between what two families does the feud exist?
2. Why do Sampson and Gregory fight with Montague’s men?
3. Benvolio and Tybalt come upon the servants fighting. Contrast their reactions to the fight.
4. What decree does the Prince make after the street brawl?
5. What advice does Benvolio give Romeo about Rosaline (give quote and explain)?
ACT ONE -SCENE TWO
1. How does Capulet respond to Paris' proposal to marry Juliet?
2. Why is Capulet giving a feast?
3. How do Romeo and Benvolio learn about the Capulet's ball? What do they decide to do?
ACT ONE -SCENE THREE
1. How does Juliet feel about getting married (give quote and explain)?
2. How old is Juliet? What is Lammastide? On what date does it come? symbolic of Juliet?
3. How might Shakespeare be using the celebration of Lammastide as a metaphor for Juliet?
4. Describe the nurse’s feelings for Juliet.
5. Describe Juliet’s relationship with her family in Act One
ACT ONE - SCENE FOUR
1. When and where does this scene take place?
2. Identify the speaker ______________________________ that Romeo is reacting to when he gives the
following speech.
3. Paraphrase Romeo’s response:
I fear too early; for my mind misgives _________________________________________________________
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars_____________________________________________________
Shall bitterly begin this fearful date _____________________________________________________________
With this night’s revels and expire the term ______________________________________________________
Of a despised life, closed in my breast __________________________________________________________
By some vile forfeit of untimely death. __________________________________________________________
But he that hath the steerage of my course _______________________________________________________
Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen! ___________________________________________________________
ACT ONE - SCENE FIVE
1. Where does this scene take place?
2. Who is Romeo talking about in the following soliloquy? _________________________________________
Paraphrase the speech:
O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! ____________________________________
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night _____________________________________
As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear- ____________________________________________
Beauty too rich for use, for earth to dear! ______________________________________
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows ___________________________________
As yonder lady o’er her fellow shows _________________________________________
The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand _________________________________
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand _________________________________
Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! __________________________________
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night. ______________________________________
What is ironic about Romeo’s soliloquy above?
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3. Why does Tybalt become so upset, and how does Capulet respond to his rage (give quote and explain)?
4. What does Romeo mean when he says: “Oh dear account! My life is my foe’s debt?”
5. Who says the following lines :“My only love sprung from my only hate/Too early seen unknown and
known too late.” Why?
6. Define the following literary terms on the following page and find one example (a quote) of each of the
following literary devices used anywhere in Act One.
Alliteration _____________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Oxymoron ______________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Metaphor _______________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Irony __________________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Comic Relief ____________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Foreshadow _____________________________________________________________________________
Example
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Aside __________________________________________________________________________________
Example________________________________________________________________________________