Romeo and Juliet Worksheet

Author Background
William Shakespeare (1564-1616): Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-
Avon and is often regarded as the greatest playwright in the English language. He
wrote Romeo and Juliet around 1595, during the Elizabethan era—a time marked by
strong family bonds, social stratification, and limited individual freedoms, especially
for women. The play explores themes of love, fate, and conflict, reflecting the
societal norms and tensions of the time.

Act 1
Scene 1: The Public Brawl
Characters: Sampson, Gregory, Abram, Benvolio, Tybalt, Prince Escalus
 Benvolio: The peacekeeper, he represents reason and moderation amidst
chaos.
 Tybalt: Represents aggression and loyalty to family honor, foreshadowing
future violence.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Family Feuds: The concept of honor and vengeance was paramount in
Elizabethan society, often leading to cycles of violence that were difficult to
break.
Themes:
 Conflict: The brawl introduces the longstanding feud between the
Montagues and Capulets.
 Authority vs. Chaos: The intervention of Prince Escalus emphasizes the
struggle between societal order and familial discord.
Foreshadowing:
 The opening brawl foreshadows the tragic events that will escalate from the
feud, particularly highlighting Tybalt's violent nature.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all
Montagues, and thee.” (Tybalt, 1.1)
Analysis: Tybalt’s violent disposition foreshadows his role in the upcoming
tragedies. His hatred for peace illustrates the destructive nature of the feud.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the opening brawl set the tone for the rest of the play?
 2. What does the Prince’s speech suggest about the impact of the feud on
Verona?

Scene 2: Paris and Capulet Discuss Marriage

Characters: Paris, Capulet, Benvolio, Romeo
 Paris: Represents social order and the pressures of arranged marriage.
 Romeo: His melancholic state hints at his romantic idealism and
foreshadows his deep emotional journey.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Marriage as a Contract: Arranged marriages were common, and family
alliances were prioritized over romantic love.
Themes:
 Fate: Romeo’s chance encounter with the Capulet servant leads him to the
ball, foreshadowing his destined meeting with Juliet.
 Love and Duty: Paris symbolizes societal expectations, while Romeo seeks
personal fulfillment through love.
Foreshadowing:
 The invitation to the Capulet party suggests that Romeo and Juliet’s meeting
is inevitable, emphasizing the theme of fate.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart.” (Capulet, 1.2)
Analysis: Capulet’s insistence on Paris winning Juliet’s affection suggests
that Juliet’s autonomy will soon be challenged, foreshadowing her struggle for
independence.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Paris’ character reflect societal expectations of marriage?
2. What role does fate play in Romeo’s discovery of the Capulet ball?

Scene 3: Juliet and Her Nurse

Characters: Lady Capulet, Nurse, Juliet
 Nurse: Represents a maternal figure who provides comic relief but also
emphasizes the realities of Juliet’s situation.
 Juliet: Portrayed as innocent and naïve, foreshadowing her transformation
throughout the play.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Role of Women: Women had limited agency; familial control over marriage
was common.
Themes:
 Innocence and Experience: The contrasting perspectives of Juliet and the
Nurse highlight the generational divide.
 Parental Control: Lady Capulet’s desire to marry Juliet off contrasts sharply
with Juliet’s youthful innocence.
Foreshadowing:
 Juliet’s initial disinterest in marriage hints at her future rebellion against
parental expectations.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “It is an honour that I dream not of.” (Juliet, 1.3)
Analysis: Juliet’s lack of interest in marriage foreshadows her later
determination to pursue love on her own terms.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Juliet’s relationship with her Nurse differ from her relationship with
her mother?
2. What does this scene suggest about societal views on marriage and family?

Scene 5: The Capulet Ball (Romeo and Juliet’s First Meeting)

Characters: Capulet, Juliet, Romeo, Tybalt, Nurse
 Tybalt: His anger at Romeo foreshadows the violent confrontation that will
ensue.
 Romeo and Juliet: Their immediate attraction highlights the theme of love
at first sight.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Masquerade Balls: These gatherings allowed social barriers to be crossed,
symbolizing both freedom and danger.
Themes:
 Love vs. Hate: Their attraction occurs amidst a backdrop of animosity,
illustrating the conflict between personal desire and familial loyalty.
 Fate: Their meeting appears preordained, reinforcing the theme of destiny.
Foreshadowing:
  Tybalt’s outrage at Romeo foreshadows future conflict and the tragic
consequences of their love.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till
this night.” (Romeo, 1.5)
Analysis: This moment marks the beginning of Romeo’s transformation from
infatuation with Rosaline to profound love for Juliet, highlighting the intensity
and impulsiveness of youthful love.
 “My only love sprung from my only hate!” (Juliet, 1.5)
Analysis: This realization encapsulates the play’s central conflict and
foreshadows the tragic consequences of their forbidden love.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do Romeo and Juliet’s speeches reflect the intensity of their feelings?
2. What does Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo’s presence reveal about the ongoing
feud?

Act 2
Scene 2: The Balcony Scene
Characters: Romeo, Juliet
 Romeo: Idealizes Juliet, showcasing his romantic nature and depth of feeling.
 Juliet: Demonstrates maturity and practical concerns, balancing romantic
idealism with reality.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Courtly Love Tradition: The sonnet structure of their dialogue reflects the
poetic conventions of romantic love, elevating their feelings to an almost
mythical status.
Themes:
 Love vs. Society: Their love transcends the familial feud, highlighting
individual desires against societal constraints.
 Fate: The star imagery reinforces the idea of destiny shaping their lives.
Foreshadowing:
 Juliet’s awareness of the dangers posed by their families foreshadows the
impending tragedy that will arise from their secret love.
Quotes with Analysis:
  “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet
is the sun.” (Romeo, 2.2)
Analysis: This metaphor illustrates the transformative power of love,
depicting Juliet as a source of light and life, reinforcing the theme of love’s
elevating qualities.
 “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Juliet, 2.2)
Analysis: Juliet’s lament underscores her internal conflict between love and
loyalty, emphasizing the tragic implications of their situation.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the language of this scene elevate the idea of love?
2. What does Juliet’s pragmatism suggest about her character in contrast to
Romeo’s idealism?

Act 3
Scene 1: The Death of Mercutio and Tybalt
Characters: Mercutio, Tybalt, Benvolio, Romeo
 Mercutio: His witty demeanor belies the seriousness of the conflict, and his
death marks a pivotal turning point in the play.
 Romeo: His character shifts from romantic to vengeful, showcasing his deep
emotional turmoil.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Honor and Revenge: The scene highlights societal expectations regarding
honor, emphasizing how personal vendettas often lead to tragedy.
Themes:
 Fate and Free Will: Romeo’s choice to avenge Mercutio propels him further
into tragedy, illustrating the consequences of personal decisions.
 Conflict and Tragedy: The violence escalates the conflict and demonstrates
how easily love can turn to hatred.
Foreshadowing:
 Mercutio’s curse foreshadows the destructive consequences of the feud, as it
signifies that the battle lines have been drawn with fatal outcomes.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “A plague o' both your houses!” (Mercutio, 3.1)
Analysis: Mercutio’s dying words highlight the futility of the feud, serving as
a forewarning of the inevitable tragedy that awaits both families.
  “O, I am fortune's fool!” (Romeo, 3.1)
Analysis: This exclamation shows Romeo’s recognition of his lack of control
over his fate, further emphasizing the theme of destiny versus free will.
Discussion Questions:
1. What role does fate play in this scene?
2. How does Mercutio’s death change Romeo’s character and decisions?

Act 5
Scene 3: The Deaths of Romeo and Juliet
Characters: Romeo, Juliet, Paris, Friar Laurence, Balthasar
 Romeo: His despair leads him to impulsive actions, illustrating the tragic
consequences of unchecked emotions.
 Juliet: Her transformation from naive girl to a determined woman is
complete in her final moments.
Historical/Cultural Context:
 Tragic Romance: The theme of tragic love reflects societal views on love,
honor, and familial duty prevalent in Elizabethan culture.
Themes:
 Fate: The tragic ending underscores the inevitability of fate and the
consequences of family discord.
 Love and Death: Their love ultimately leads to their deaths, emphasizing
the intertwined nature of love and tragedy.
Foreshadowing:
 The deaths of Romeo and Juliet serve as the culmination of the
foreshadowing present throughout the play, reinforcing the tragic inevitability
of their fate.
Quotes with Analysis:
 “Here’s to my love!” (Romeo, 5.3)
Analysis: Romeo’s toast before drinking poison signifies the depth of his love
and foreshadows the tragic consequences of their union.
 “O happy dagger! This is thy sheath.” (Juliet, 5.3)
Analysis: Juliet’s final words reflect her determination to be with Romeo in
death, showcasing the all-consuming nature of their love.
Discussion Questions:
 1. How do Romeo and Juliet’s deaths reflect the theme of fate?
2. In what ways do their final actions challenge the societal norms of their time?

Conclusion
Romeo and Juliet is a complex interplay of love, conflict, and the social structures of
Elizabethan society. The characters’ development throughout the play, coupled with
themes of fate and the tragic consequences of family loyalty, underscores
Shakespeare’s commentary on the nature of love and the impact of societal
expectations.