The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare

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 14 th 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.