Act I

Act I, Prologue Act I, Prologue

Act I, Prologue (1) Prologue summarizes the action of the play, detailing the way it ends (spoiler?). (1) Prologue summarizes the action of the play, detailing the way it ends (spoiler?). Reference to (2) “star-cross’d lovers” is an allusion to the power of fate and Elizabethan belief in the supernatural. Reference to (2) “star-cross’d lovers” is an allusion to the power of fate and Elizabethan belief in the supernatural. (3) Prologue is written in sonnet form (14 lines). (3) Prologue is written in sonnet form (14 lines). (4) Last two lines of the prologue are a heroic couplet meant to lead audience into the play. (4) Last two lines of the prologue are a heroic couplet meant to lead audience into the play.

Act I, Scene i A Street Brawl and a Break Up (Sunday Morning)

Act I, Scene i (1) Play is set in Verona, Italy. (1) Play is set in Verona, Italy. Servants of Lord Capulet are joking around, hence the (2) pun regarding the word “move”. Servants of Lord Capulet are joking around, hence the (2) pun regarding the word “move”. As they brag, (3) servants of Lord Montague enter, the Capulets insult them, and a fight breaks out. As they brag, (3) servants of Lord Montague enter, the Capulets insult them, and a fight breaks out. (4) Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin (a Montague), enters and attempts to separate/stop the two groups. (4) Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin (a Montague), enters and attempts to separate/stop the two groups. (5) Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin (a Capulet), enters and instigates the two groups, calling Benvolio a coward. (5) Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin (a Capulet), enters and instigates the two groups, calling Benvolio a coward.

Act I, Scene i (cont.) Citizens of Verona attack the two groups. Citizens of Verona attack the two groups. (6) Prince Escalus enters and tells both families that the next time a fight is started death will follow. (6) Prince Escalus enters and tells both families that the next time a fight is started death will follow. After talking to Lord and Lady Montague, Benvolio sees (7) a very depressed Romeo approach and goes to speak with him. After talking to Lord and Lady Montague, Benvolio sees (7) a very depressed Romeo approach and goes to speak with him. With much persuasion, Romeo explains that (7) his girlfriend, Rosaline, will remain a virgin, thus ending their relationship. With much persuasion, Romeo explains that (7) his girlfriend, Rosaline, will remain a virgin, thus ending their relationship. (9) Romeo says that would only make Rosaline more beautiful and appealing, thus hurting him more. (9) Romeo says that would only make Rosaline more beautiful and appealing, thus hurting him more. (8) Benvolio suggest “examin[ing] other beauties”. (8) Benvolio suggest “examin[ing] other beauties”. - SHIFT IN FOCUS/ACTION -

Act I, Scene ii A Party and an Invitation (Sunday Afternoon)

Act I, Scene ii On a street in Verona, Lord Capulet speaks to Paris who seeks to marry his soon to be (1) fourteen-year old daughter, Juliet. On a street in Verona, Lord Capulet speaks to Paris who seeks to marry his soon to be (1) fourteen-year old daughter, Juliet. (2) Lord Capulet favors the match between Paris and Juliet but believes his daughter is still a little too young to get married. (2) Lord Capulet favors the match between Paris and Juliet but believes his daughter is still a little too young to get married. Lord Capulet suggest Paris come to his party that night and try to win Juliet’s affection by wooing her. Lord Capulet suggest Paris come to his party that night and try to win Juliet’s affection by wooing her. (3) Capulet sends out a servant (Peter) to invite guests to the party. (3) Capulet sends out a servant (Peter) to invite guests to the party. The (3) servant cannot read the list of names, and when he sees Benvolio and Romeo talking, asks them for help. The (3) servant cannot read the list of names, and when he sees Benvolio and Romeo talking, asks them for help.

Act I, Scene ii (cont.) After the servant leaves, Benvolio tells Romeo that since (5) Rosaline will be at the party, he should go. After the servant leaves, Benvolio tells Romeo that since (5) Rosaline will be at the party, he should go. To entice him further, Benvolio says that (5) he will show Romeo other women whose beauty will make Rosaline look like a crow. To entice him further, Benvolio says that (5) he will show Romeo other women whose beauty will make Rosaline look like a crow. (6) Romeo agrees to attend in order to prove Benvolio wrong; it seems he wants to see his ex. (6) Romeo agrees to attend in order to prove Benvolio wrong; it seems he wants to see his ex. Not knowing who they are, the servant tells them of the party and invites them…thus the (4) party/feast/ball provides an opportunity for Paris to woo Juliet while allowing the enemies to mingle with each other. Not knowing who they are, the servant tells them of the party and invites them…thus the (4) party/feast/ball provides an opportunity for Paris to woo Juliet while allowing the enemies to mingle with each other.

Act I, Scene iii ThinkingaboutMarriage (Sunday Night)

Act I, Scene iii The (2) Nurse, primarily a comic character, relates, (3) at great length for she is a talkative woman, an obscene story regarding Juliet meant to break tension. The (2) Nurse, primarily a comic character, relates, (3) at great length for she is a talkative woman, an obscene story regarding Juliet meant to break tension. When told about the possibility of marrying Paris, (4) Juliet says she will look at/entertain him but go no further than her mother desires her to. When told about the possibility of marrying Paris, (4) Juliet says she will look at/entertain him but go no further than her mother desires her to. In the Capulet house, (1) Lady Capulet and the Nurse (the one who raised Juliet) discuss marriage; Juliet has not yet begun to think of such things. In the Capulet house, (1) Lady Capulet and the Nurse (the one who raised Juliet) discuss marriage; Juliet has not yet begun to think of such things.

Act I, Scene iii

Act I, Scene iv Boy’s Night Out and a Premonition (Sunday Night)

Act I, Scene iv Romeo mentions a dream he had, and (2) Mercutio launches into a ludicrous speech regarding Queen Mab, an ancient Celtic goddess of the fairies. This is a primary example that (3) Mercutio takes very few things seriously. Romeo mentions a dream he had, and (2) Mercutio (Romeo’s foil) launches into a ludicrous speech regarding Queen Mab, an ancient Celtic goddess of the fairies. This is a primary example that (3) Mercutio takes very few things seriously. Impatient to go, Benvolio urges them to go. Impatient to go, Benvolio urges them to go. Benvolio, Romeo, Mercutio (Romeo’s best friend and a relative of Prince Escalus), and others are about to go to the party at Lord Capulet’s house. Benvolio, Romeo, Mercutio (Romeo’s best friend and a relative of Prince Escalus), and others are about to go to the party at Lord Capulet’s house. (1)Romeo and Mercutio are opposites; Romeo is serious while Mercutio is always cracking jokes. (1)Romeo and Mercutio are opposites; Romeo is serious while Mercutio is always cracking jokes. Before they enter the party, (4) Romeo expresses a feeling that tonight’s activities will result in his death; he puts his faith in fate and enters anyway. Before they enter the party, (4) Romeo expresses a feeling that tonight’s activities will result in his death; he puts his faith in fate and enters anyway.

Act I, Scene iv

Act I, Scene v A Meeting of Love andHATE ( About a Half Hour after iii and iv )

Act I, Scene v Overhearing this request, (2) Tybalt recognizes the voice of his most hated enemy and tells his uncle, Lord Capulet. Overhearing this request, (2) Tybalt recognizes the voice of his most hated enemy and tells his uncle, Lord Capulet. (3)Capulet is not bothered by the news of Romeo’s presence and threatens Tybalt, lest he should start any trouble. (3)Capulet is not bothered by the news of Romeo’s presence and threatens Tybalt, lest he should start any trouble. (1) Romeo sees a beautiful girl, Juliet, as the party continues at the Capulet house and asks a servant who she is. (1) Romeo sees a beautiful girl, Juliet, as the party continues at the Capulet house and asks a servant who she is. Still, (4) Tybalt insists that he will eventually avenge himself. Still, (4) Tybalt insists that he will eventually avenge himself. Romeo approaches Juliet and romances her; (5) they are instantly infatuated with each other (they kiss). Romeo approaches Juliet and romances her; (5) they are instantly infatuated with each other (they kiss). As the party ends, the two are parted and the (7) Nurse informs them of who the other is; (8) both of them are stunned by the news that they are enemies, yet (9) neither swears off of the other. As the party ends, the two are parted and the (7) Nurse informs them of who the other is; (8) both of them are stunned by the news that they are enemies, yet (9) neither swears off of the other.

Act I, Scene v (6) The Undulating Mood Romeo sees Juliet and is immediately infatuated. Tybalt recognizes Romeo and becomes infuriated! Romeo and Juliet meet and instantly “fall in love”. The Nurse informs Romeo and Juliet that they are enemies!

Act I, Scene v

Act I Characterization (1) Romeo and Rosaline… is it lust for something forbidden -or- is it really love? (1) Romeo and Rosaline… is it lust for something forbidden -or- is it really love?

Act I Characterization (2) What kind of man is Romeo? (2) What kind of man is Romeo? - serious - brooding - impulsive - conflicted - contradictory

Act I Characterization (3) From Rosaline to Juliet… (3) From Rosaline to Juliet… - Rosaline: fleeting romance based on physical attraction - Juliet: rapid involvement based on “love at first sight” SEEMS LIKE AN IDENTICAL PERDICAMENT

Act I Characterization What kind of man and father is Lord Capulet? - I would not for the wealth of all the town … do him disparagement - And too soon marr’d are [mothers] so early made. - An she agree, within her scope of choice lies my consent - protective father: will not marry only child, Juliet, off too young - rational man: refuses to allow Tybalt the right to attack Romeo - rational man: refuses to allow Tybalt the right to attack Romeo (4)(5)

Act I Characterization Juliet… - It is an honour that I dream not of. - I’ll look to like, if looking liking move - naive: 13 years old; has not yet thought of marriage - naive: 13 years old; has not yet thought of marriage (6)(6) - sheltered: knows little of the outside world; parents make decisions for her - sheltered: knows little of the outside world; parents make decisions for her

Act I Characterization Does Juliet use… REASON -or- EMOTION (8) - won over by emotion: eventually succumbs to Romeo’s advances (7) - uses reason: speaks very reasonably to Romeo and uses logic to put him off