The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare 1564-1616

PROLOGUE

• Verona, Italy

• Montagues & Capulets: – Generations of hate– Kids fall in love– Secret marriage– Suicide*– Families overcome the hate at tragic cost

* (Foreshadows the deaths of Romeo & Juliet)

Act I

• Purpose

–Exposition of the play

•Characters

•Setting

•Conflict

Act I, scene 1

• Old hatreds are rekindled between:– The servants of Capulets & Montagues– Tybalt and Benvolio– The Capulets & Montagues

• Prince of Verona decrees:“If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives

shall pay the forfeit of the peace” (I.1.94-95).

Act I, scene 1

• Romeo Montague is heart-sick because he’s been rejected by Rosaline.

• He asks his friend Benvolio, “ …teach me how I should forget to think!” (I.1. 224)

• Benvolio encourages, “By giving liberty unto thine eyes. Examine other beauties” (I.1.225-226).

Shakespeare’s Purpose

• Introduce the age-old feud between the Montagues & Capulets

• Introduce Romeo as a romantic, moody teen who is sulking because of a breakup

Act 1, scene 2

• Paris, a young count, related to the Prince, asks Lord Capulet permission to marry his daughter Juliet.

• Capulet asks Paris to wait until Juliet is a bit older than her present age – almost 14.

• He then invites Paris to a party at his home to woo Juliet.

Act 1, scene 2

• Capulet asks his illiterate servant to deliver invitations to the party.

• The servant happens upon Romeo and his pals, and asks them for assistance in reading the invitations.

• Romeo sees Rosaline’s name on an invitation and decides to attend.

Act 1, scene 2

• Problem: The Capulets and Montagues are bitter foes.

• Benvolio promises that he’ll assist Romeo in comparing Rosaline to other more beautiful women, and “. . .make thee think thy swan a crow” (I.2.89).

• Romeo pouts that he’ll attend but have no fun.

Shakespeare’s Purpose

• Plot device:

– Used to shape the love triangle, bringing Romeo, Juliet and Paris together

–Used to bring Romeo into enemy territory – a Montague in the Capulet home

Act I, scene 3

• Lady Capulet asks her daughter, Juliet, to “check out” Paris as a potential husband.

• Juliet obediently complies, but lets her mother know that marriage is not something she’s been thinking about.

Act I, scene 3

• We meet Juliet’s nanny, the nurse, who is especially protective of her.

• We also find out that Juliet’s 14th birthday is approaching – Lammas Eve.

Shakespeare’s Purpose

• The audience knows that Juliet is aware of Paris’ intent to marry her.

• The audience also knows that there may be a brawl at the party because Romeo and his friends are infiltrating enemy territory.

Act I, scene 4

• Romeo, Benvolio, & Mercutio are about to crash the Capulet party.

• Romeo vows he won’t have any fun because he’s depressed about Rosaline’s rejection:

• “I am too sore enpierced with his [Cupid’s] shaft to soar with his light feathers. . .under love’s heavy burden do I sink” (I.4.19-22).

Act I, scene 4

• A discussion ensues about love.

• Romeo’s interpretation of love:– Emotional & Spiritual

• Mercutio’s interpretation of love:– Physical & Bawdy

Act I, scene 4

• Romeo begins to tell his pals about an ominous dream he had.

• Mercutio mocks him.

• Romeo rebukes him, and then tells about his dream, which makes him reluctant to go to the party.

Act I, scene 4

• “my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars shall bitterly begin his fearful date with the night’s revels and expire the term of a despised life, closed in my breast, by some vile forfeit of untimely death” (I.4.106-111).

Act I, scene 4

• In other words,

–Romeo feels Fate has predetermined that some event tonight will cost him his life.

Shakespeare’s Purpose

• Foreshadow Romeo’s death

Act I, scene 5

• Lord Capulet begins the party, inviting all to dance.

• Romeo spies Juliet, and immediately falls heavily in love with her, instantly forgetting about Rosaline:

Act I, scene 5

• “O, she doth teaches the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night as a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear –Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” (I.5.45-48).

Act I, scene 5

• Tybalt, Lady Capulet’s nephew, spies Romeo, recognizes him as a Montague, and prepares to kill him.

• Lord Capulet orders Tybalt to “endure” Romeo’s presence, remembering the Prince’s decree.

• Tybalt obeys begrudgingly, but will seek revenge at another time:

Act I, scene 5

• Tybalt remarks after Lord Capulet has exited:

–“I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall*” (I.5.92-93)

Act I, scene 5

• The Infatuation

• The Kiss

• The Enemy

Act I, scene 5

• Romeo and Juliet’s attraction is immediately electric – love at first sight!

• Yet, when they kiss they do not know each other’s identity.

• Juliet’s nurse breaks the news to each.

Act I, scene 5

• Romeo’s reaction:– “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is

my foe’s debt” (I.5.118-119).

• Juliet’s response:– “My only love, sprung from my only hate!...

Prodigious of love it is to me that I must love a loathed enemy” (I.5.140-143).

Shakespeare’s Purpose

• Foreshadow the death of Mecutio at the hands of Tybalt

• Introduce the conflict that sets the plot in motion.

– Ironically Romeo & Juliet, whose families are embroiled in a bitter family feud, fall madly in love.