Romeo and Juliet Study Guide Answers

Act 1 (Prologue to Scene 5), Act 2 (Prologue to Scene 6), Act 3 (Prologue to
Scene 5)

ACT 1

Prologue

1. Who speaks the Prologue? What is its purpose?

The Chorus speaks the Prologue. Its purpose is to introduce the play, outline the
feud between the Montagues and Capulets, and foreshadow the tragic fate of the
"star-cross'd lovers"[1].

2. In what poetic form is the Prologue?

It is a Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines, iambic pentameter, ABABCDCDEFEFGG
rhyme scheme)[1].

3. Importance of lines 5 and 6:

These lines ("From forth the fatal loins of these two foes / A pair of star-cross'd
lovers take their life") reveal the fate of Romeo and Juliet and establish the theme of
fate[1].

4. Themes established in the Prologue:

Fate, love, conflict, death, and the destructiveness of feuds [2].

Scene 1

1. How does Shakespeare gain the groundlings' attention?

With bawdy jokes, puns, and a street brawl between servants [2].

2. Servants' language about Montagues:

They use insults, showing the deep-rooted hatred and prejudice between the
families[1].
 3. Gregory and Sampson's attitude toward the law:
They are willing to provoke a fight but want to avoid legal blame (they want to start
trouble without getting caught)[1].

4. Who is Tybalt and why is he dangerous?

Tybalt is Lady Capulet's nephew, known for his hot temper and eagerness to fight
Montagues[1][2].

5. Lady Capulet vs. Lady Montague's responses:

Lady Capulet urges her husband to fight, while Lady Montague restrains hers,
showing different attitudes toward the feud [1].

6. Prince's warning:
He threatens death to anyone who disturbs the peace again [1][3].

7. Romeo's unusual behavior:

He is melancholic, avoids company, and is often seen crying at dawn [3].

8. Romeo's explanation for his behavior:

He is lovesick over Rosaline, who does not return his love [3].

9. Four oxymorons in lines 177-182:

"Brawling love," "loving hate," "heavy lightness," "serious vanity" [1].

10. Why does Rosaline refuse Romeo?

She has vowed to live chaste and will not return his love [1].

11. Why does Romeo not want to look at other women?

He believes no other woman could compare to Rosaline [1].

Scene 2

1. Capulet's reasons for delaying Juliet's marriage:

Juliet is too young (not yet 14) and should wait two more years [3][4].

2. "The earth has swallowed all my hopes but she":

All Capulet's other children have died; Juliet is his only surviving child [1].
 3. Condition for agreeing to the marriage:
Paris must win Juliet's love and Juliet's consent is necessary [1][4].

4. Who is Rosaline?
A niece of Capulet and the woman Romeo loves at the play's start [1].

5. Dramatic irony in lines 70-85:

The audience knows Romeo and Benvolio are Montagues, but the servant does
not[1].

Scene 3

1. Nurse's relationship with Juliet and her personality:

The Nurse is like a second mother to Juliet—affectionate, talkative, and earthy [1].

2. Nurse's one wish for Juliet:

To see Juliet married[1].

3. Juliet's answer about marriage:

She has not thought about it, showing innocence and obedience [1][2].

4. Juliet's answer about loving Paris:

She will try to like him but will not go beyond what her parents wish [2].

Scene 4

1. Romeo's feelings about love:

He feels love is heavy and painful[1].

2. How Mercutio tries to cheer Romeo:

With jokes, puns, and the Queen Mab speech, mocking Romeo's lovesickness [1][4].

3. Summary of Queen Mab speech:

Mercutio describes Queen Mab as a fairy who brings dreams to sleepers, reflecting
people's desires[1][4].
 4. Romeo's unease about the party:
He has a premonition that something at the party will lead to his untimely death [2].

5. Romeo's decision in lines 112-113:

He decides to go to the party and leave his fate to destiny—this advances the tragic
theme[2].

6. Mercutio as a foil to Romeo:

Mercutio is witty, skeptical, and mocks love, contrasting Romeo's romantic
idealism[1].

Scene 5

1. Romeo's soliloquy—love at first sight:

He compares Juliet to a "rich jewel," "snowy dove among crows," and says he never
saw true beauty till now[2].

2. Comparison to Rosaline speeches:

His love for Juliet is immediate and intense, unlike his melancholic, unrequited love
for Rosaline[2].

3. Is Romeo truly in love with Juliet?

He is certainly infatuated; whether it is true love is debatable, given the speed of his
feelings[1].

4. Lord Capulet's reasons for stopping Tybalt:

Romeo is behaving like a gentleman, and Capulet does not want to ruin the party [1].

5. Tybalt's threat:
He vows revenge on Romeo, foreshadowing future conflict [1].

6. Romeo and Juliet's shared lines:

Their first conversation forms a Shakespearean sonnet, symbolizing their instant
connection[1].

7. Romeo's realization:
He discovers Juliet is a Capulet, his family's enemy [3].
ACT 2

Prologue

1. Paraphrase and poem type:

The Prologue summarizes that Romeo and Juliet's love is now mutual but must be
kept secret due to their families' feud. It is a sonnet [1][5].

Scene 1

1. Mercutio's lines 7-17 and tone:

Mercutio mocks Romeo's lovesickness, joking about Rosaline and love in a bawdy,
teasing tone[5].

2. Dramatic irony in lines 16-21:

Mercutio thinks Romeo is still lovesick for Rosaline, but the audience knows Romeo
now loves Juliet[6].

3. Mercutio on "blind love":

He says love that is blind cannot hit the mark, meaning love without true
understanding is doomed[7][8].

Scene 2 (Balcony Scene)

1. Romeo compares Juliet to the sun:

Juliet is so bright and beautiful that she outshines the moon and brings light to his
world[5][7].

2. Why does he want the sun to kill the envious moon?

The moon (symbolizing Rosaline or chastity) is jealous of Juliet's beauty; Romeo
wants Juliet to replace his old love[5].

3. Why is the moon envious?

Because Juliet, as the sun, is more beautiful and radiant [5].

4. Juliet's eyes compared to stars:

Her eyes are so bright they would shine in the night sky, foreshadowing her fate [5].
 5. Foreshadowing:
The comparison to stars hints at the "star-cross'd" fate of the lovers [5].

6. Juliet's questions (lines 33-36):

She wonders why Romeo must be a Montague, her family's enemy [5].

7. Juliet on names:
Names are meaningless; she wishes Romeo could shed his name so they could be
together, showing her disregard for the feud [5][6].

8. Juliet's feelings when she realizes Romeo heard her:

She is embarrassed and worried she was too forward [9][5].

9. What if Romeo is caught? Who takes it more seriously?

He could be killed. Juliet is more concerned for his safety than he is [5].

10. Juliet's embarrassment (lines 95-105):

She is shy and feels she has revealed too much, worried about appearing too
eager[5][9].

11. Juliet objects to swearing on the moon:

The moon is inconstant, so she doesn't want Romeo's love to be changeable [5][6].

12. Juliet's fears (lines 116-119):

She fears their love is too sudden and may end badly [5].

13. What changes Juliet's mind (lines 142-149)?

Romeo's sincerity reassures her, and she decides to pursue the relationship [5].

14. Why send someone to Romeo the next day?

To arrange their marriage[5][6].

15. Are they rushing?

Their actions are impulsive and driven by intense emotion [1].

Scene 3

1. What is in Friar Laurence's basket?

Herbs and flowers for medicines and potions [1][7].
 2. Herbs' power to heal or kill—connection to the play:
They symbolize how good intentions can have harmful outcomes, paralleling the
lovers' situation[10].

3. Explain lines 21-22:

Virtue can become vice if misused, and vice can be dignified by action; good and
bad are a matter of use and intent[10].

4. Friar's comment about seeing Romeo early:

He assumes Romeo has not slept and suspects he has been with Rosaline [10].

5. "Young men's love lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes":
Friar Laurence means young men fall for beauty, not for true love [10].

6. Friar's motive for marrying them:

He hopes it will end the feud between their families [10].

Scene 4

1. Why is Mercutio looking for Romeo?

Romeo did not return home, and Mercutio is worried and wants to find him [1].

2. Mercutio's feelings toward Tybalt:

He mocks Tybalt's dueling style and sees him as pretentious and dangerous [1][7].

3. Mercutio's poetic teasing:

He uses puns and wordplay to mock Romeo, similar to how friends tease each other
today[1].

4. Nurse's role in the scheme:

She acts as a messenger between Romeo and Juliet and helps arrange their
marriage[1].

5. Malapropism example:
The Nurse uses the wrong word, such as "confidence" instead of "conference" [1].

6. Romeo's message to Juliet (lines 163-166):

Juliet should come to Friar Laurence's cell that afternoon to be married [1][11].
 7. Nurse's character:
She is comic, caring, but easily influenced and not always morally steadfast [1].

Scene 5

1. Juliet's mood waiting for the Nurse:

She is impatient and anxious for news from Romeo [1][5].

2. Type of speech:
Juliet's speech is a soliloquy, expressing her inner thoughts [1][5].

3. Why does the Nurse delay?

She teases Juliet, enjoying her impatience before finally delivering the message [1][5].

4. Why does the Nurse agree to help?

She wants Juliet to be happy and loves her like a daughter [1].

5. Juliet's mood at the end:

She is overjoyed and excited to marry Romeo[1].

Scene 6

1. Friar's warning:
He cautions that "these violent delights have violent ends," foreshadowing tragedy
and urging moderation[5].

ACT 3

Scene 1

1. Benvolio's worry:
The hot weather will make people irritable and prone to fighting, especially with
Capulets around[12].
2. Benvolio and Mercutio's conversation:
Mercutio accuses Benvolio of being as quick to fight as anyone, though Benvolio is
actually peace-loving[12].

3. Mercutio's comments about Benvolio (lines 15-31):

He jokingly claims Benvolio is quarrelsome, though it's really Mercutio who is hot-
tempered[12].

4. Why does Tybalt approach?

He wants to confront Romeo for crashing the Capulet party [12].

5. Why doesn't Tybalt want to fight Mercutio?

Tybalt is looking for Romeo, not Mercutio [12].

6. Romeo's response to Tybalt's insults (lines 63-66):

Romeo refuses to fight because he is now secretly related to Tybalt by marriage to
Juliet[12].

7. Romeo's lines 69-73—meaning and dramatic irony:

He says he loves Tybalt more than Tybalt can understand, but Tybalt doesn't know
about the marriage, increasing the irony[12].

8. Who starts the fight?

Mercutio provokes Tybalt and they fight [12].

9. Romeo tries to stop the fight:

He pleads with them to stop, saying the Prince has forbidden fighting and that they
should think of the consequences[13].

10. Irony in Mercutio's lines (94-95, 97-100):

He curses both houses for causing his death, though he was not directly involved in
their feud[12].

11. Mercutio's dying threat:

"A plague o' both your houses!"—he blames both families for his fate [12].

12. Romeo on Juliet's beauty making him "effeminate":

He feels her love has softened him and made him less manly and brave [12].
 13. What does Romeo do when Tybalt returns?
He fights and kills Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio's death [12].

14. "I am fortune's fool!":

Romeo feels he is a victim of fate, powerless to control his destiny [12].

15. Why does the Prince choose Benvolio to explain?

Benvolio is honest and a witness to the events [12].

16. Lady Capulet's wishes and couplets:

She demands Romeo's death for Tybalt's murder; her speech is in couplets for
emphasis[12].

17. Prince's decree:

Romeo is banished from Verona for killing Tybalt, as a compromise between justice
and mercy[12].

Scene 2

1. Type of speech/Juliet's anticipation:

Juliet delivers a soliloquy, eagerly awaiting nightfall and Romeo [14].

2. Nurse confuses Juliet:

The Nurse's vague words make Juliet think Romeo is dead before clarifying [14].

3. Juliet's pun (lines 43-51):

She plays on the word "die," meaning both literal death and sexual climax, showing
her wit[14].

4. Juliet's first reaction to Tybalt's death:

She is shocked and mourns Tybalt, then feels torn when she learns Romeo killed
him[14].

5. Juliet's language (lines 75-79):

She uses oxymorons to express her conflicted feelings about Romeo [14].

6. Juliet's monologue (96-127):

She says Romeo's banishment is worse than Tybalt's death or the deaths of her
whole family[14].
 7. Juliet's threat:
She threatens suicide if she cannot see Romeo again [14].

8. Nurse's comfort:
The Nurse promises to find Romeo and bring him to Juliet [14].

Scene 3

1. Romeo's preference—death or banishment:

He says banishment is worse than death; he would rather die than be separated
from Juliet[14][15].

2. Nurse's news and Romeo's reaction:

The Nurse brings news of Juliet's grief; Romeo is distraught and threatens suicide [14].

3. Friar's anger at Romeo:

Friar Laurence scolds Romeo for his lack of gratitude and self-pity, delivering a stern
speech[14].

4. Friar's blessings for Romeo:

Juliet is alive, Tybalt would have killed him but didn't, and the Prince spared his
life[14].

5. Plans to resolve difficulties:

Romeo will visit Juliet that night, then flee to Mantua while Friar Laurence tries to
reconcile the families and get a pardon[14][15].

Scene 4

1. Lady Capulet's interpretation of Juliet's grief:

She believes Juliet is mourning Tybalt's death [14].

2. Lord Capulet's decision:

He arranges Juliet's marriage to Paris to cheer her up and end her grief [14][15].

3. Dramatic irony:
The audience knows Juliet is already married to Romeo, but her parents do not [14].
Scene 5

1. Juliet and the nightingale vs. lark:

Juliet insists it is still night (the nightingale), so Romeo can stay longer, but it is
really morning (the lark)[14].

2. Light and dark imagery:

Their conversation echoes earlier themes of night (safety, love) and day (danger,
separation), but the mood is now desperate[14].

3. Prologue's answer to Juliet's question (line 51):

The answer is that their love is doomed; Romeo knows he must leave or be killed [14].

4. Juliet on Fortune (lines 60-64):

She personifies Fortune, blaming fate for their troubles [14].

5. Juliet's words to her mother (lines 78-102):

She uses double meanings to conceal her true feelings about Romeo [14].

6. Juliet's response to marriage news:

She refuses to marry Paris, showing newfound assertiveness [14][13].

7. Mother's reaction:
Lady Capulet is furious and unsympathetic, threatening to disown Juliet [14][13].

8. Lord Capulet's response (lines 190-197):

He is enraged, insults Juliet, and threatens to throw her out if she disobeys [14][13].

9. Nurse's advice:
The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, believing Romeo is gone for good [14].

10. Juliet's decision:

She decides to seek Friar Laurence's help, vowing to kill herself if he cannot provide
a solution[14].

This comprehensive set of answers covers all the study guide questions for Acts 1–3,
Scenes 1–5, as requested, and is directly supported by the provided study guide and
supplementary sources[1][3][10][12][2][5][14][7][15].
 ⁂

1. Romeo-and-Juliet-Study-Guide.pdf

2. http://cmai-honors9.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/2/13125325/rjstudyguideshortversion2.pdf

3. https://www.scribd.com/document/53103130/Act-1-Quiz-Teacher-Edition

4. https://www.fusd1.org/cms/lib03/AZ01001113/Centricity/Domain/768/RJ Act 1.pdf

5. https://englishmusil.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/rj-study-questions-act-ii.pdf

6. https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/quiz/act-ii-scenes-1-2

7. https://www.fusd1.org/cms/lib03/AZ01001113/Centricity/Domain/768/RJ Act 2.pdf

8. https://www.appohigh.org/ourpages/auto/2015/5/12/43265534/RJ Act II Reading Guide.doc

9. https://study.com/academy/lesson/romeo-juliet-act-2-questions.html

10. https://www.scribd.com/document/315027156/Romeo-and-Juliet-Study-Guide-Act-II-answers-doc

11. https://www.coppinacademy.org/ourpages/auto/2019/11/12/60413830/Romeo and Juliet Study

Questions All.pdf

12. https://www.scribd.com/document/310888521/r-and-j-Act-III-Study-Questions-Answer-Key

13. https://www.cusd80.com/cms/lib6/AZ01001175/Centricity/Domain/6129/Act 3 review - Kelman.doc

14. https://www.scribd.com/document/310888474/Romeo-and-Juliet-Study-Guide-Act-III-Answers-2-doc

15. https://www.enotes.com/topics/romeo-and-juliet/quiz/act-iii-scenes-3-4