Essays, Notes, School Work

Prologue

The song/poem in the prologue commences the play, and notifies the audience that two families in Verona, Capulet/Montague have had a fight for along time. Two star-crossed lovers, one from each of the families, commit suicide after trying to run away from their own families. The loss of the parent's children ends the family fights.

1.1

Capulet slaves are on the street waiting to see Montague slaves. When they do, Samson the slave from the Capulets bites his thumb at them (this is a rude gesture). Abraham (from the Montague's) accepts the insult and the men start to fight. Benvolio is a peace maker and also Romeo's cousin, he enters and makes the men withdraw from the battle by drawing his own sword. Tybalt, (instigator) Juliet's cousin, then also enters the street. When he sees Benvolio, he also draws out his sword and enters the fight. (Old Capulet) runs in and demands a sword so that he can fight. His wife stops him, even when Old Montague emerges with his sword. Spectators manage to signal Prince Escalus to arrive. The Prince yells at them three times before causing the street of Verona to be unsafe. He orders them to return home, but he escorts the Capulets. They ask Benvolio why Romeo was not with him, and he tells them Romeo has been in a strange mood lately. When Romeo appears, the Montagues ask Benvolio to find out what is wrong, and then leave. Romeo informs Benvolio that he is in love.

1.2

Paris insists that Juliet gets married even though she is only thirteen. Lord Capulet tells him to wait, but decides to allow Paris to try to win her . He then tells his servant Peter to take a list of names and invite the people to a party he is hosting that evening. Peter discovers Romeo on the street. He asks Romeo to help read the list for him since he can't read it himself. Romeo does, and realizes that the girl he loves will be attending this party. Peter tells him that the party will be held at Capulet's house, and that he is invited if he wishes to come. Both Benvolio and Romeo decide to attend the party.

1.3

Lady Capulet tells the Nurse to shout out for Juliet. She shouts out and Lady Capulet tells her that Juliet will be 14 in a few weeks. As she is still calling out, Lady Capulet talks about how much of an embarrassment Juliet was when she was little. The mother notifies Juliet that Paris has come to marry her. Lady Capulet then tells how beautiful he is, and compares him to a nice book that lacks a cover. Juliet does not promise to marry him, but agrees to look at the man that night at dinner. It's the least she can do.

1.4

Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio travel towards the party. Romeo is depressed, even though he gets to see love. Mercutio attempts to cheer him up by telling a story about a fictional elf. Romeo stops his stupid nonsence about the elf story and tells him something terrible may happen at the party tonight.

1.5

Romeo is on the sideline during the dancing when he spots Juliet. He falls in love with her right away! Tybalt recognizes Romeo as Montague. However, before Tybalt can destroy the party, Old Capulet tells him to leave Romeo alone. Old Capulet does not want the party demolished. Romeo sees Juliet and touches her hand. They speak to each other, and Romeo eventually gets to kiss her. Juliet is then forced to go see her mother. The Nurse tells Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet, at which he is startled. (she is in love with a rival family) Juliet finds her Nurse at the end of the party and begs her to find out who Romeo is. The Nurse returns and tells her he is Romeo, the one and only son of a Montague family. Juliet is heart-broken that she is in love with a person that her family hates.