The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
"Here's much to do with Hate, but more with Love."
-- Act 1, Scene 1: 166
Introducing the Drama
This semester, we will be reading and watching what many scholars believe has come to be the world's
most frequently performed play. While there is no proof that the tale of Romeo and Juliet was in fact true,
there were two feuding Italian families that could have been the basis of this story. The Motecchi of
Verona and the Capelletti of Cremona are mentioned in Dante's Purgatorio for their political struggles
and long lasting feud.
Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet was based on a poem by Arthur Brooke called The Tragicall
Historye of Romeus and Juliet. This poem was an English translation of a French translation of the
original Italian story!
Popular versions of Romeo and Juliet on film include the following:
(1961) Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story
(1968) Franco Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet
(1996) Baz Luhrmann's Romeo and Juliet
(1998) John Madden's Shakespeare in Love
(2011) Gnomeo & Juliet
Did You Know?
Many of Shakespeare's plays revolve around the complications of courtship and marriage. In Romeo and
Juliet, parents are the biggest obstacles to the couple's marriage. During the Renaissance, young people
needed permission from their parents or guardians to get married. Parents commonly arranged marriages
for their children, especially in upper-class households. Arranged marriages customarily required the
bride's consent, however. Girls could legally get married at age twelve, but they were usually fifteen or
sixteen when they married. Juliet, at age thirteen, would have been considered a young bride.
The Influence of Astrology
Romeo and Juliet are described as "a pair of star-cross'd lovers" in the play's prologue, or introduction.
This description suggests that their tragic downfall was influenced by the position of the stars and planets
at their birth. Belief in astrology was widespread in Elizabethan England. In fact, physicians often studied
their patients' horoscopes before deciding on a diagnosis and treatment.
Additional resources are available on the class wiki: http://resources.lhssc.org/groups/com1/.
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The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
Introducing the Characters
CHORUS
THE HOUSE OF MONTAGUE
Montague: Romeo's father, Capulet's enemy
Lady Montague: Romeo's mother, Montague's wife
Romeo: Montague's son
Mercutio: the Prince's kinsman, Romeo's friend
Benvolio: Montague's nephew, Romeo's cousin and friend
Balthasar: Romeo's servant
Abram: Montague's servant
THE HOUSE OF CAPULET
Capulet: Juliet's father, Montague's enemy
Lady Capulet: Juliet's mother, Capulet's wife
Juliet: Capulet's daughter
Nurse: to Juliet
An Old Man of the Capulet Family
Tybalt: Lady Capulet's nephew, Juliet's cousin
Petruchio: Tybalt's friend
Gregory: Capulet's servant
Clown: Capulet's servant
THE COURT OF VERONA
Escalus: Prince of Verona
Paris: a young nobleman, the Prince's kinsman, suitor to Juliet
Page: to Paris
THE CHURCH
Friar Lawrence: Franciscan monk
Friar John: Franciscan monk
IN MANTUA
Apothecary
IN VERONA
Three Musicians
Citizens, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen, Pages, Guards, Watchmen
Hint: Keep this page handy for easy reference while reading to keep track of the many characters.
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The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
Crystal, D and Crystal, B., (2002) Shakespeare's Words: A Glossary and Language Companion
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The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
ACT 1
ANALYZING LITERATURE
Answer the following questions using complete sentences.
1. What is the purpose of the prologue?
2. What causes members of the Capulet and Montague households to fight in the streets of Verona? What
might the quarrel reveal about Verona's society?
3. What does Romeo tell Benvolio is the cause of his melancholy (sadness)? How does Benvolio
respond?
4. What does Paris seek from Capulet? From his response to Paris, what do you infer about the kind of
father Capulet is?
5. Why does Benvolio think Romeo should attend the Capulet's feast? Does Romeo appear to have much
experience with women? Give at least two reasons for your answer.
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The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
6. How are Mercutio and Juliet's nurse alike?
7. What seems to be the basis for Romeo and Juliet's attraction to one another?
8. How does Romeo's character change after he falls in love with Juliet?
7. What is your impression of Mercutio? Do you think he is a good influence on Romeo? Explain.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Identify who said the quote and what he/she is talking about. Why is this quote significant to this Act?
8. "If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace." pg.
9. "Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed.
And I might live to see thee married once,
I have my wish." pg.
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The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare
Act 1
10. "Oh, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.
She is the fairies midwife." pg.
11. “…for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his 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.” pg.
12. "Oh 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…" pg.
13. "My only love sprung from my only hate." pg.
LITERARY TERMS
Define the following term.
Foil (pg 606):
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