Comprehensive study guide for Romeo and Juliet, designed for Grades 10–12 English Home Language. Includes detailed scene summaries, character analyses, thematic discussions, vocabulary activities and practice questions. Perfect for exam preparation and in-depth understanding of Shakespeare’s ti...
Scene Summaries
Scene 1
It is Sunday, and the streets of Verona are busy. Two Capulet servants, Sampson and Gregory, are
teasing each other quite rudely and as early as the seventh line mention how much they hate a rival
family, the Montagues. When the Montague servants – Abram and Balthasar – arrive, Sampson bites his
thumb at them (which is rude but not illegal). Insulted, Abram confronts Sampson and a fight begins.
Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin) tries to stop it, but Tybalt refuses to help, and the fight turns into a riot that is
eventually broken up by the town guards. The Prince threatens death to anyone who disturbs the peace
again. Romeo enters after the scene and tells his friend Benvolio that he wants nothing to do with
violence. He also admits to being lovesick because the woman he loves (Rosaline) doesn’t want to know
him.
Scene 2
Paris visits Lord Capulet, asking permission to marry his daughter, Juliet. We learn she is not quite 14
years old, and Capulet tells Paris to wait two more years. Nevertheless, Capulet invites Paris (so that he
can impress Juliet) to a masked ball, or party, at their house. Capulet then hands his servant,Peter a list
of names and orders the man to invite everyone on the list to the party. Out on the streets, Peter runs
into Romeo and Benvolio, who are talking about Rosaline. Peter cannot read, so he asks them to help
him interpret the list. Romeo and Benvolio comply, and upon reading the list, they discover that
Rosaline will be at the Capulets' party. They decide to attend - even though it is a Capulet party, they will
be able to disguise their identities by wearing masks.
Scene 3
At the Capulet home, Lady Capulet asks the nurse to call Juliet to come and see her. While they wait for
her arrival, the Nurse moans about the fact that Juliet will only be fourteen in under two weeks. When
Juliet arrives, the Nurse tells an embarrassing story about how her late husband had once made an
inappropriate sexual joke about Juliet when she was an infant. The Nurse keeps telling her endless tales
until Juliet orders her to stop.
Lady Capulet tells Juliet about Paris’s intention to marry her. The mother describes Paris as beautiful,
comparing him to a fine book that only lacks a cover. Juliet does not promise anything to her mother,
but she does agree to study Paris that night
Scene 4
It’s now Sunday evening, and several guests, among them Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio, are outside
Capulet’s house where there was a party being held. Mercutio’s light-hearted and clever banter
contrasts with Romeo’s depressed mood over Rosaline, though it’s obvious Mercutio has his own dark
side too. Romeo admitted his concern as to attending the party at the Capulets(rivals)
,Important Quotes
Act 1 Scene 1
• Benvolio: 68-69 Do but keep the peace.. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these
men with me.
• Prince Escalus: 97-100 If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the
peace. For this time all the rest depart away. You, Capulet, shall go along with me.
• Montague: 133;141 Many a morning hath he there been seen, with tears augmenting the fresh
morning's dew, / And private in his chamber pens himself, shuts up his windows, locks fair
daylight out, and makes himself an artificial night.
• Romeo: 224 She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow Do I live dead that live to tell it now.
228-9 O, teach me how I should forget to think! [Benvolio says look at other pretty girls]
Act 1 Scene 2
• Paris: 6 But now, my lord, what say you to my suit? [to Capulet about marrying Juliet]
• Capulet: 7, 10-11, 16 7 But saying o'er what I have said before
10-11 Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
16-But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart
• Capulet: 19 Lies my consent and fair according voice. [I give my consent when I hear her
agreeing voice.]
• Romeo: 71, 95-96 On the list of guests] my fair niece Rosaline;
95-96 One fairer than my love? The all seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world
begun
• Benvolio: 88-90 Go thither, and with unattainted eye Compare her face with some that I shall
show, and I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
Act 1 Scene 3
• Lady Capulet: 63-65 , 74 Marry, that "marry" is the very theme I came to talk of. Tell me,
daughter Juliet, how stands your disposition to be married?
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love
• Juliet: 66, 97-99 66- It is an honor that I dream not of.
97-99 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.
•
Act 1 Scene 4
• Romeo 14-16 Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes
With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.
,• Romeo: 25-6 Is love a tender thing? It is too rough,
Too rude, too boist'rous, and it pricks like thorn.
• Romeo: 48-9 I'll be a candleholder and look on;
The game was ve'er so fair, and I am done [The dancing was not good and I am tired]
• Romeo: 95 Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace!
Thou talk'st of nothing.
• Romeo: 106-113 (FORESHADOWING!) I fear, too early; 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.
But he that hath the steerage of my course
Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen! [off to side, away from crowd]
• Mercuito: 27-8 8 If love be rough with you, be rough with love;
Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.
• Mercuito: 96-7 True, I talk of dreams;
Which are the children of an idle brain
, Themes and important characters
Hatred between the Capulets and Montagues. This is seen during scene 1 act 1 when the two families
cross each other's paths and Sampson who’s from the Capulets, bites his thumbs at the Montague
servants which is not considered illegal just rude. He's just looking to stir up trouble because his masters
are feuding with the Montagues.
The idea of marriage Paris asks Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Paris:” But now, my lord, what
say you to my suit?” [to Capulet about marrying Juliet]
The idea of love. Romeo is puzzling as he is completely infatuated with Rosaline. When he's not
daydreaming about Rosaline in his room, He's moping around in a grove of "sycamore" trees, where those
who are sick amour (sick with love) tend to hang out. The thing is, Rosaline has absolutely no interest in
Romeo, but he pursues her anyway. Maybe he's not in love with Rosaline as he is obsessed with the idea
of being in love. “BENVOLIO
[…] What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
ROMEO
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.
BENVOLIO
In love?
ROMEO
Out—
BENVOLIO
Of love?
ROMEO
Out of her favor, where I am in love.”
(1.1.168-173)
Gender. When Juliet’s marriage was being arranged it was clear that she had little to no say in what would
happen. Girls from wealthy families in Shakespeare's time didn't get much say in who they married;
marriages were made for the convenience of the families, not the individuals.
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