Romeo & Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 Questions

In which town is the play set? In what country do you suppose this town exists? (Yes, this is a real place on our planet.)

In the prologue, Shakespeare tells us that our two title characters are going to kill themselves. (You already knew this, right?) His 1600's audience would've already known the story of Romeo & Juliet from a famous poem of the time, so this information would not have ruined the experience. In fact, many scholars say that knowing the deaths are coming actually improves the play. How could this be? Explain your thoughts.

When Sampson says he will not "carry coals," what does he mean? What literary technique is being used in this silly exchange between Sampson & Gregory?

Complete this sentence: In Shakespearean times, biting your thumb was . . .

• a gesture of friendship

• an insult

• a way of hitting on someone

Is Benvolio a Montague or a Capulet?

• Montague

• Capulet

Why doesn't Lady Capulet want her husband to get involved in the fight?

How many times have the Capulets and Montagues had street fights recently?

How has Romeo been spending his days recently?

• picking fights on the boardwalk

• locked in his room being moody

• dreaming of Juliet

List (name) three of the oxymorons Romeo uses to describe the conflict between his family and the Capulets. Then, explain how the family feud is oxymoronic in its nature.

Romeo is heartsick over a girl (it's not Juliet) who is not at all interested in Romeo. Name three of the ineffective romantic strategies Romeo has used in his attempt to woo this girl.