Reading Comprehension Questions- R&J Q&A
What do we learn about the setting from the prologue? What is the significance of the
play being set in Italy, not England? - (correct answer)That even everyday citizens
commit murder and Italy was known for having very devious and sophisticated people
and were also known for their passion and violence.
What do we learn about the plot? Themes? Conflict? - (correct answer)the families feud
, they hate each other so much they will cut off the maid's heads.
Why does Shakespeare reveal so much about the play in just these few short lines?
What might be his purpose in sharing so much from the very beginning? - (correct
answer)To make the audience curious to what led up to that point.
Who are Gregory and Sampson? Why does Sampson "bite his thumb" at Abram? -
(correct answer)Servingmen, To disgrace him
What do we learn about the feud between the Montagues and Capulets through these
characters and their interactions? - (correct answer)Senseless and ancient feud that is
continued each generation
They hate each other enough to kill each other.
what do we learn about masculine honor in Verona through the interactions of these
characters? - (correct answer)"To move is to be valiant"
Who are Benvolio and Tybalt? What role do they play in the brawl? - (correct
answer)They are kinsmen, they are the ones who will be fighting.
What does the prince proclaim? Why? - (correct answer)if they disrupt the streets again
then they will kill them for peace. Because they are tired of the feud
, What does Benvolio promise Romeo's parents that he will do? - (correct answer)To cure
him of this sorrow.
what does Benvolio learn from Romeo about the source of his sadness on pp. 21-23? -
(correct answer)He is in love with someone else not his arranged marriage
What is Benvolio's advice to Romeo? - (correct answer)To forget her and focus on
something else.
Who is the object of Romeo's desire? (Glance at the beginning of scene 2.) What is
ironic about this? - (correct answer)Juliet who is of the feuding family
How does Shakespeare characterize Romeo? What diction does he use to show this?
How about Benvolio? - (correct answer)A lonely man who is in love, he shows it by
having him describe his love. He is a loyal man.
What is Capulet's answer to Paris's request? Track his reasons for saying no. - (correct
answer)He says that she is too young and Capulet wants him to win her heart.
What do we learn about Juliet's relationship with her parents? What do we learn about
the role of women in this time period? - (correct answer)That Capulet cares about her
well being because he says that she is too young to marry and women in that time
period marry and carry children young.
Why does Capulet invite Paris to the party that evening? What does the invitation reveal
about Capulet's feelings about Paris? - (correct answer)So he can talk to Juliet to win
her heart.
What is getting in the way of the servingman being able to deliver the invitations to the
party? Who does he ask for help? - (correct answer)The serving man can't read so he
asks Romeo.
What do we learn about the setting from the prologue? What is the significance of the
play being set in Italy, not England? - (correct answer)That even everyday citizens
commit murder and Italy was known for having very devious and sophisticated people
and were also known for their passion and violence.
What do we learn about the plot? Themes? Conflict? - (correct answer)the families feud
, they hate each other so much they will cut off the maid's heads.
Why does Shakespeare reveal so much about the play in just these few short lines?
What might be his purpose in sharing so much from the very beginning? - (correct
answer)To make the audience curious to what led up to that point.
Who are Gregory and Sampson? Why does Sampson "bite his thumb" at Abram? -
(correct answer)Servingmen, To disgrace him
What do we learn about the feud between the Montagues and Capulets through these
characters and their interactions? - (correct answer)Senseless and ancient feud that is
continued each generation
They hate each other enough to kill each other.
what do we learn about masculine honor in Verona through the interactions of these
characters? - (correct answer)"To move is to be valiant"
Who are Benvolio and Tybalt? What role do they play in the brawl? - (correct
answer)They are kinsmen, they are the ones who will be fighting.
What does the prince proclaim? Why? - (correct answer)if they disrupt the streets again
then they will kill them for peace. Because they are tired of the feud
, What does Benvolio promise Romeo's parents that he will do? - (correct answer)To cure
him of this sorrow.
what does Benvolio learn from Romeo about the source of his sadness on pp. 21-23? -
(correct answer)He is in love with someone else not his arranged marriage
What is Benvolio's advice to Romeo? - (correct answer)To forget her and focus on
something else.
Who is the object of Romeo's desire? (Glance at the beginning of scene 2.) What is
ironic about this? - (correct answer)Juliet who is of the feuding family
How does Shakespeare characterize Romeo? What diction does he use to show this?
How about Benvolio? - (correct answer)A lonely man who is in love, he shows it by
having him describe his love. He is a loyal man.
What is Capulet's answer to Paris's request? Track his reasons for saying no. - (correct
answer)He says that she is too young and Capulet wants him to win her heart.
What do we learn about Juliet's relationship with her parents? What do we learn about
the role of women in this time period? - (correct answer)That Capulet cares about her
well being because he says that she is too young to marry and women in that time
period marry and carry children young.
Why does Capulet invite Paris to the party that evening? What does the invitation reveal
about Capulet's feelings about Paris? - (correct answer)So he can talk to Juliet to win
her heart.
What is getting in the way of the servingman being able to deliver the invitations to the
party? Who does he ask for help? - (correct answer)The serving man can't read so he
asks Romeo.
