Study Guide Answers Acts I and II
Why would Shakespeare begin the action of the play with a quarrel between the servants (rather than a clash between Benvolio and Tybalt)? By using secondary characters, Shakespeare sets up the scene and allows for tension to build between the two families.
How do the citizens feel about the feud? They do not like the violence in the streets of Verona.
What threat does Prince Escalus make against the "enemies to peace"? Anyone who breaks the peace will be sentenced to death.
Who is Tybalt? Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin. He is a very violent young man.
What adjective does Benvolio use to characterize Tybalt? He says the Tybalt is “fiery”.
What is Romeo's mood in the first scene What is Romeo's mood in the first scene? What has caused him to be in this mood? Romeo is depressed. The girl he likes, Rosaline, is going to join a convent and does not return his love.
Who is Rosaline? Rosaline is a girl Romeo likes, but she does not feel the same about him.
Act I, Scene ii In his talk with Lord Capulet, what proposal does Paris make? Paris wants to marry Juliet. However, her father thinks she is too young.
How old is Juliet? Juliet is thirteen years old.
What argument is used by Benvolio in attempting to persuade Romeo to attend the party? He tells Romeo that Rosaline will be there, along with other girls from Verona. If Romeo compares Rosaline to the other girls he “will make thee think thy swan a crow”.
What does Lady Capulet want to discuss with Juliet? Lady Capulet wants Juliet to see Paris and decide if she could marry him.
Describe the nurse. The nurse is kind of silly, but has genuine affection for Juliet.
Who is Mercutio? Mercutio is a relative of the Prince and friend of Romeo.
At this point, what is Romeo’s attitude toward life? Romeo is still in a dark mood. He fears that something bad will happen at the party. He thinks it is his fate, so he agrees to go along with it.
What is the general atmosphere as the scene opens? The mood is light as people get ready to dance.
What is the purpose of the quarrel between Capulet and Tybalt? To show us what the characters are like. Capulet is ready to let Romeo enjoy the party; Tybalt wants to kill him. This builds suspense as Tybalt swears he will get his revenge.
Having fallen deeply in love, Romeo and Juliet kiss and part Having fallen deeply in love, Romeo and Juliet kiss and part. Then, each makes a surprising discovery. What is it? Romeo discovers Juliet is a Capulet, and she discovers he is a Montague. This will obviously be a problem because their families are sworn enemies.
Why does Romeo hide from Benvolio and Mercutio? Romeo does not want to leave Juliet. He hides from his friends and sneaks back into Juliet’s garden.
How has Romeo’s attitude toward life changed since he met Juliet? He is not moody anymore and seems excited to be young, alive and in love.
What, in effect, is Juliet asking Romeo to do before she knows he is in her garden? Juliet asks Romeo to give up his name. If he is not a Montague they can be together
What arrangements do Romeo and Juliet agree to before they part? They agree to get married. Romeo will send for her by 9:00 the next morning.
What does Romeo ask Friar Lawrence to do? Romeo wants Friar Lawrence to marry them that very day.
Why does Friar Lawrence finally agree to Romeo’s request? Friar Lawrence is hopeful that the marriage between Romeo and Juliet will end the feud between their families.