Analysis of "Romeo and Juliet" Act 1 Scenes: Tone, Characters, and Themes
Act 1 of "Romeo and Juliet" sets the tone of the play as angry, hostile, tense, and aggressive through scene descriptions and character interactions. Benvolio emerges as the peacemaker, trying to diffuse conflicts, while Tybalt represents aggression and a desire for continued feuding. The Prince emphasizes the consequences of the ongoing feud. Concern arises over Romeo's melancholy due to unrequited love for Rosaline, showcasing his romantic nature. Benvolio advises Romeo to move on, but Romeo remains fixated. The scenes highlight themes of love, conflict, and the complexities of human emotions.
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1. establishes the tone of the play. What tone is created? Scene one is important because it angry, hostile, tense, aggressive
2. name comes from the Latin words bene, which means good, and volo, which means I wish. Find a line showing Benvolio s personality. Benvolio is the peacemaker in the play. His Put up your swords; you know not what you do (1.1.52). I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me.
3. Benvolio s? Find a line that suggests he wants the feud between the families to continue. How is Tybalt s personality different from I hate the word peace, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and you.
4. about the feuding? What lines indicate Prince Escalus sfeelings If ever you disturb our streets again your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.
5. about Romeo. Explain why. Benvolio and the Montagues are concerned He has been secluding himself, crying, and in a sad, dark mood.
6. from Romeo? What information is Benvolio able to get Romeo is upset because the one he loves (Rosaline) does not return the feeling.
7. young man. Find lines that show Romeo is a romantic Love is a smoke rising from the fumes of sighs; when the air is cleared, love is a fire sparkling in lovers eyes. When frustrated, love is a sea fed by lovers tears. What else is love? A very wise insanity, a choking bitterness, and a lasting sweet.
8. What is Romeo s reaction? What advice does Benvolio give Romeo? Benvolio says forget her; look at other beautiful women. Romeo says that will only remind him of this one woman s beauty.
9. Find a line to support your response. How does Lord Capulet feel about the feud? He wants to try to keep the peace. It shouldn t be hard for men as old as we are to keep the peace (1.2.2-3).
10. Why has Paris come to see Lord Capulet? Paris wants to persuade Capulet to let him marry Juliet.
11. How old is Juliet? Juliet is almost 14.
12. What is Capulets reply to Paris? Capulet says Juliet is too young. She won t be marriage ready for at least two years. He welcomes Paris to the ball and says he can try to win Juliet s favor. Paris can marry Juliet, only if Juliet agrees.
13. Why does Benvolio want Romeo to attend Capulet s party? Why does Romeo agree to go? Benvolio wants Romeo to compare Rosaline to other women and discover that she is not the most beautiful. Romeo will go to admire Rosaline s beauty.
14. What happened to Nurses daughter? Her daughter, Susan, died. She would have been about the same age as Juliet.
15. What purpose do Nurses ramblings about Juliet serve? Her ramblings are comic relief. She is also intended to be a foil, or opposite, to Juliet. The nurse is big-mouthed and pushy; Juliet is quiet and reserved.
16. How does Juliet feel about getting married? How do you know? Juliet feels it s an honor. She says she will see if she can like Paris.
17. Find a line that describes Romeos mood as he and his friends go to the party. What device was Shakespeare using when he compared sole and soul ? He s glum. You have dancing shoes with light soles; I have a soul of lead, which holds me to the ground so I can t move (1.4.14-16). A PUN is a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word.
18. According to Mercutio, who or what is Queen Mab, and what does she or it do? She is the queen of the fairies who brings dreams to people. In this speech, Mercutio is making fun of Romeo for being a lovesick dreamer who is lost in thought.
19. What does Mercutio think of dreams? Do you agree? He thinks dreams are nonsense. He says they are the children of an idle brain (1.4.103).
20. From Romeos speech, do you think the Elizabethans believed people had control over their lives or that Fate had things all planned out? How do you know? They believed fate determined their future. God, who steers my life s course, will give my sail direction (1.4.118-119).
21. What is Romeos mood at the end of this scene? Explain. He is nervous/wary. I m afraid that some unpleasant events, still only destined to happen, will bitterly begin at this party tonight and bring to an end this hateful life of mine by some terrible, untimely death (1.4.112-117). FORESHADOWING
22. What lines indicate that Romeo was not really in love with Rosaline? My eyes will swear that I never saw real beauty until tonight (1.5.52-53).
23. Tybalts anger at the presence of a Montague bears out the hot-tempered nature of his character. Give the line that reveals what action Tybalt would like to take. Tybalt wants to kill Romeo. I wouldn t hold it a sin to kill him (1.5.59).
24. How does Lord Capulet react? Capulet gets upset with Tybalt and tells him to relax. Be patient and pay no attention to him (1.5.72).
25. What kind of reputation does Romeo have? He has a good reputation. He carries himself like a dignified gentleman (1.5.67). Citizens say he is a good, well-mannered youth (1.5.69).
26. Explain lines 140-141: Go ask his name. If he be married,/My grave is like to be my marriage bed. Juliet feels she will die if she can t have Romeo. She doesn t realize it, but she is telling her own fortune with this line. FORESHADOWING
27. What problems do you think are ahead for Romeo and Juliet? Answers will vary This is a horrible beginning to love that I must love a hated enemy (1.5.146-147).
Romeo Graphic Organizer SENSITIVE My own griefs make my heart heavy which will only increase if burdened with your sorrow, too (1.1.177-179) Romeo is upset about Rosaline and becomes even more upset after finding out Benvolio was fighting with the Capulets.
Juliet Graphic Organizer SLY 1.5.134-139 Juliet asks nurse about the identity of several guests at the party. She is trying to find out who Romeo is, but she doesn t want nurse to know her interest.
