scene 1

• Who are the two servants of the house of Capulet?

  Sampson and Gregory
• What does Sampson express hatred for?

  The house of Montague
• What do Sampson and Gregory discuss regarding the Montague servants?

  How to provoke them into a fight
• What insulting gesture does Sampson make towards the Montagues?

  Bites his thumb
• Who tries to stop the fight after it escalates?

  Benvolio
• How does Tybalt react to Benvolio's attempt to keep the peace?

  He attacks Benvolio
• What do the citizens attempt to do during the brawl?

  Restore peace by beating down combatants
• What does Prince Escalus command when he arrives?

  That the fighting stop
• What penalty does Prince Escalus impose for disturbing the peace?

  Torture
• What does the Prince declare about the violence between the two families?

  It has gone on for too long
• Who prevents Montague and Capulet from attacking each other?

  Their wives
• What does Benvolio tell Montague about the brawl?

  How it started
• What does Lady Montague ask Benvolio?

  If he has seen her son, Romeo
• Where does Benvolio say he saw Romeo?

  Pacing through a grove of sycamores
• Why did Benvolio not speak to Romeo when he saw him?

  Romeo seemed troubled
• What do the Montagues express concern about regarding Romeo?

  His melancholy and solitude
• What does Benvolio promise to do regarding Romeo?

  Find out the reason for his melancholy
• Who does Romeo confess to being in love with?

  Rosaline
• What does Romeo reveal about Rosaline's feelings towards him?

  She does not return his feelings
• What advice does Benvolio give to Romeo?

  To forget Rosaline by looking at other beauties
• How does Romeo respond to Benvolio's advice?

  He insists he cannot forget his love
• What does Benvolio resolve to do after speaking with Romeo?

  To help Romeo forget Rosaline
• What background information does Shakespeare provide in the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet?

  • The feud between Montagues and Capulets
  • The characters of Benvolio, Tybalt, and Romeo
  • The layers of Veronese society
  • The theme of masculine honor
• How does masculine honor function in Verona according to the play?

  • Men must defend their honor
  • Honor is defended against verbal or physical transgressions
  • Exists across all societal layers
• What role do the servants play in Romeo and Juliet?

  • Provide commentary on their masters' actions
  • Reflect societal issues
  • Highlight the foolishness of the noble families
• What themes are introduced through the brawl in the opening scene?

  • The contrast between social order and private passions
  • The consequences of letting passions overwhelm public duty
  • The significance of law in societal interactions
• What is the significance of Rosaline in the play?

  • Represents Romeo's immature love
  • Highlights his passionate nature
  • Haunts the narrative despite never appearing onstage
• How does Romeo's love for Rosaline differ from his love for Juliet?

  • Rosaline's love is unrequited and immature
  • Juliet's love is pure and powerful
  • Rosaline serves as a contrast to Juliet
• What literary device does Romeo use to describe his love for Rosaline?

  • Clichés and oxymorons
  • Examples: "Feather of lead, bright smoke"
  • Reflects his romantic idealism
• What does the shift from Rosaline to Juliet signify in Romeo's character?

  • His capacity for deep love
  • The transient nature of his affections
  • The theme of love's complexity
• I will push Montague’s men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall (1.1)
• O me, what fray was here?Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.Here’s much to do with hate, but more with love. (1.1)
• Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighsBeing purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes (1.1.)