The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Act I Notes

Act I. scene i • Setting: Verona, Italy • Sunday Morning • Conflict: House of Capulet & House of Montague are fighting for little reason • Characters: • Benvolio -tries to keep the peace • friend to Romeo • tries to lift his spirits by pushing him to look at others • Tybalt –doesn’t believe in peace • “What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word/ as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. / Have thee, coward!” 58-59 • Prince – rules over the town. He’s tired of their fighting. • Warning: “If ever you disturb our streets again/ Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” 84-85

Act I. scene ii • Setting • Streets of Verona • Conflict • Paris wants to marry Juliet, Capulet’s beautiful and young, not yet 14 year-old, daughter. • Characters • Paris: he has asked Capulet for Juliet’s hand many times- the answer has always been no • Capulet believes Paris should wait until she is 15 turning 16 to marry Juliet or Paris needs to win her heart • Romeo: we learn that his love is Rosaline • She will be invited to the party at the Capulets • Benvolio: Thinks going to the party will show Romeo there are others to love: • “Compare her face with some that I shall show/ And I will make thee think thy swan a crow” (81-82). • Style • Servants do not speak in the same rhyming pattern of the “elite” characters.

Act I. scene iii • Setting • Capulet’s house • Conflict • Juliet learns of the continued interest from Paris and feels pressure from her mom and nurse. • Characters • Juliet • surprised by all talk of marriage • agrees to look at Paris, but she’d only act if moved by looking at him • Lady Capulet • believes Juliet, who turns 14 on August 1st, will be ready to consider marriage. • Nurse • has extreme love for Juliet- treats her as her own daughter • she hopes to see Juliet married • she believes Paris would be a good match

Act I. scene iv • Setting • Capulet’s House • Conflict • Romeo’s depression continues and he has to be pushed to celebrate • Characters • Romeo • Continues with his negative views of love • “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough,/ Too rude, too boist’rous, and it pricks like thorn” (25-26) • Mercutio • wants to inspire Romeo to party and dance • believes Romeo hides his true emotions • Queen Mab Speech

Queen Mab Speech • Queen Mab was a historic Celtic (Irish) folklore fairy • In Shakespeare’s time, Mab=Prostitute • Mab’s description: • Small- the size of a rock in a ring • Rides in a carriage= like the wealthy • Carriage is made up of natural things (spider webs, grasshopper legs, etc.) • Her driver is a gnat in a hazelnut shell • Mab’s Power: • She brings dreams over the heads of men while they sleep • She is able to give men lustful dreams • Her dreams give men their wishes • She has a role in making maids pregnant

Importance of Mab speech • In this scene, Mercuito steals center stage from Romeo • While Romeo is passing time in self-pity, Mercutio shows him how stupid he is acting • Mercutio is able to out-talk Romeo here and convince him to go to the party • This speech inspired many songs and poems: • “Nimphidia” by Michael Drayton • “Queen Mab” by Percy Shelley • “Queen Mab” by Sarah C. Hanson

Act I. scene v • Setting • Capulet’s house • Sunday evening, the night of the party • Characters • Capulet • Welcomes all his guests • Invites everyone to dance…if not, then his assumes they have corns on their feet • Tybalt • Recognizes Romeo and wants to fight (he sees his presence as an insult) • Is scolded by Capulet and sent away- he vows for revenge • Romeo • Sees Juliet across the crowed room; falls madly in love with her • Is smooth enough to get two kisses from her • Believes his life is in the hands of his enemy • Juliet • Falls for Romeo’s smooth talking • Wishes she had known he was a Montague before she fell in love • Can’t believe fate would have her fall for an enemy

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet