Analysis of Act One, Prologue and Scene 1

Question 1

What poetic form is the prologue written in?

Answer 1

The prologue is a sonnet — it has 14 lines and is written in iambic pentameter

Question 2

Who do Sampson and Gregory fight with in Act 1, Scene 1?

Answer 2

They start fighting with Abraham and Balthasar, who are servants of the Montagues.

Question 3

True or False?
Tybalt and Benvolio try to stop the fight.

Answer 3

False. Benvolio tries to stop the fight, but Tybalt joins in.

Question 4

What effect does the prologue have and why do you think Shakespeare included it? Explain your answer.

Answer 4

• The prologue provides a
  summary of the whole play.
  This means that the
  audience knows what will
  happen and is expecting
  the story to end tragically
• The prologue sets the
  mood for the rest of the
  play and introduces the
  main themes.
• The prologue creates the
  impression that Romeo
  and Juliet cannot escape
  their fate. The audience
  knows the ending in
  advance, so Romeo and
  Juliet’s deaths seem
  inevitable.

Question 5

Romeo uses oxymorons to describe his love for Rosaline.
What do you they suggest about his attitude to love?

Answer 5

Romeo’s use of oxymorons such as “Feather of lead”, “cold fire” and “sick health” suggests that he thinks love is both a positive and negative thing. This could be because love makes him happy, but also causes him suffering. Could also suggest that Romeo finds a lot of confusing.