1. Romeo and Juliet Study Guide: Prologue and Act I
Prologue
1. What is the purpose of the Prologue?
Act I, Scenes i-ii
1. How does Benvolio’s remark show personification when he says, “…the worshiped sun / Peered forth
the golden window of the East…” (I.i.114-115)?
2. How old is Juliet (I.ii.9)?
3. What does Capulet decide when Paris asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage (I.ii.7-37)?
4. Think about Romeo’s character.
a. What literary device is used when Romeo says, “[I am] not mad, but bound more than a madman
is, / Shut up in a prison, kept without my food, / Whipped and tormented and—Good e’en, good
fellow” (I.ii.55-57)?
b. What does this say about Romeo’s character?
Act I, Scene iii
1. Think about Juliet’s character.
a. What does Juliet’s response to her mother reveal about Juliet’s character: “I’ll look to like if
looking liking move. / But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives
strength to make it fly” (I.iii.99-101)?
2. Think about the Nurse’s character.
a. What does the Nurse recollect about Juliet’s childhood (I.iii.18-59)?
b. What does this reveal about the Nurse’s character?
3. How does Juliet feel about marriage (I.iii.68)?
4. What are Lady Capulet’s main interests when it comes to marriage (I.iii.81-96)?
5. What are the Nurse’s main interests when it comes to marriage (I.iii.63-64, 77-78, 97, 107)?
Act I, Scenes iv-v
1. Think about Tybalt’s character.
a. How does Tybalt react when Romeo enters the Capulet party (I.v)?
b. Quote Tybalt’s words that foreshadow his future conflict with Romeo.
2. How can you tell Romeo is impulsive and erratic when he meets Juliet (I.v.39-108)?

2. Romeo and Juliet Study Guide: Act II
Act II, Scenes i-ii
1. Quote the metaphor that compares Juliet’s arrival at her window to the rising of the sun (II.i).
2. Why does Romeo’s name upset Juliet (II.i.38-49)?
3. Read the following remark made by Romeo: “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these wall; / For
stony limits cannot hold love out, / And what love can do, that dares love attempt. / Therefore thy
kinsmen are no stop to me” (II.ii.66-69).
a. What are the two “stony” limits that separate the lovers (II.i.66-69)?
b. What literary device is portrayed?
4. Think about Juliet’s character.
a. Why is Juliet embarrassed after Romeo reveals himself (II.i.85-106)?
b. If Romeo hadn’t been hiding while listening, would Juliet have openly shared her secret thoughts
with Romeo? Explain.
Act II, Scene iii
1. Read Friar Lawrence’s soliloquy (II.iii.1-30).
a. How are herbs/plants similar to humans?
2. Think about Friar Lawrence’s character.
a. How does Friar Lawrence react when he hears about Romeo’s love for Juliet (II.iii.65-80)?
b. Why does the Friar agree to marry Romeo and Juliet (II.iii.90-92)?
Act II, Scenes iv-vi
1. Why does the Nurse visit Romeo (II.iv.168-181)?
2. What information does the Nurse give Juliet in Scene v (II.v.67-76)?
3. How do Romeo’s and Friar Lawrence’s viewpoints of love differ (II.vi.3-15)?
Romeo and Juliet Study Guide: Act III
Act III
1. Think about Benvolio’s character.
a. What is Benvolio’s role throughout the play?
b. Who can be considered his foil?
2. How does Romeo respond to Tybalt’s hostility (III.i.58-61, 64-68)?
3. What is ironic about Mercutio’s death (III.i.81-100)?
4. The dramatic function of Mercutio’s death serves as a way for the play to move forward.
a. After Mercutio is killed, what does Romeo do, in effect (III.i.118-129, 148-171)?
b. What does the Prince decide, in effect (III.i.183-193)?
5. How is the quote “ask for me to-morrow and you shall find me a grave man” an example of a pun
(III.i.94-95)?

3. 6. After Juliet hears of Tybalt’s death, she is most bothered by what fact (III.ii.113-127)?
7. How do Friar Lawrence’s and Romeo’s idea of banishment differ (III.iii.10-70)?
8. When the Nurse arrives, bearing news of Juliet’s grief, how does Romeo show the audience that he is
impulsive and reckless (III.iii.84-108)?
9. Think about the irony portrayed throughout the play.
a. What is Romeo doing that makes it ironic when the unsuspecting Capulets plan Juliet’s marriage
to Paris (III.v)?
b. What type of irony does this scenario portray?
10. Think about Capulet’s character.
a. Why does Capulet become angry with Juliet (III.v.112-196)?
b. What does this say about Capulet’s character?
11. When the Nurse gives her advice about Paris and Romeo, how does Juliet react (III.v.213-243)?
Romeo and Juliet Study Guide: Act IV
Act IV
1. How does fate create problems for the lovers in Scene ii after Juliet feigns submission to her father
(IV.ii.17-26)?
2. What becomes ironic about the wedding preparations in Scene v (84-90)?
Romeo and Juliet Study Guide: Act V
Act V
1. Cosmic irony is very apparent as the drama comes to a close.
a. What news does Balthasar bring Romeo (V.i.17-23)?
b. Because of this news from Balthasar, what does Romeo plan to do (V.i.36-50)?
c. What happened to Friar John (V.ii.5-16)?
2. What role does the Apothecary play in the drama (V.i.59-88)?
3. Think about Paris’ character.
a. What does Paris think Romeo is doing at Juliet’s tomb (V.iii.49-57)?
b. What is Paris’ wish as he dies (72-73)?
4. Think about Romeo’s character.
a. Why does Romeo kill Paris (V.iii.58-67)?
b. What does Romeo do with Paris’ body (V.iii.72-74)?
c. What is Romeo’s reasoning for these unfortunate events (V.iii.82-83)?
5. Quote Romeo’s statement that shows he believes fate has caused the events to unfold (V.iii).
6. Name the Capulet family members who have died in the drama.

4. 7. Name the Montague family members who have died in the drama.
8. Name the Prince’s family members who have died in the drama.
9. What does the Prince mean when he says “All are punished” (V.iii.295)?