The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet

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The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare 1564-1616
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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)

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Act I

• Purpose
• Exposition of the play
• Characters
• Setting
• Conflict

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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).

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Act I, scene 1

• Romeo Montague is heart-sick because hes 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).

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Shakespeares Purpose

• Introduce the age-old feud between the Montagues
  Capulets
• Introduce Romeo as a romantic, moody teen who is
  sulking because of a breakup

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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.

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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 Rosalines name on an invitation and
  decides to attend.

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Act 1, scene 2

• Problem The Capulets and Montagues are bitter
  foes.
• Benvolio promises that hell assist Romeo in
  comparing Rosaline to other more beautiful women,
  and . . .make thee think thy swan a crow
  (I.2.89).
• Romeo pouts that hell attend but have no fun.

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Shakespeares 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

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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 shes been
  thinking about.

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Act I, scene 3

• We meet Juliets nanny, the nurse, who is
  especially protective of her.
• We also find out that Juliets 14th birthday is
  approaching Lammas Eve.

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Shakespeares 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.

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Act I, scene 4

• Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio are about to crash
  the Capulet party.
• Romeo vows he wont have any fun because hes
  depressed about Rosalines rejection
• I am too sore enpierced with his Cupids shaft
  to soar with his light feathers. . .under loves
  heavy burden do I sink (I.4.19-22).

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Act I, scene 4

• A discussion ensues about love.
• Romeos interpretation of love
• Emotional Spiritual
• Mercutios interpretation of love
• Physical Bawdy

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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.

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Act I, scene 4

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

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Act I, scene 4

• In other words,
• Romeo feels Fate has predetermined that some
  event tonight will cost him his life.

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Shakespeares Purpose

• Foreshadow Romeos death

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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

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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 Ethiops ear Beauty too rich
  for use, for earth too dear! (I.5.45-48).

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Act I, scene 5

• Tybalt, Lady Capulets nephew, spies Romeo,
  recognizes him as a Montague, and prepares to
  kill him.
• Lord Capulet orders Tybalt to endure Romeos
  presence, remembering the Princes decree.
• Tybalt obeys begrudgingly, but will seek revenge
  at another time

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Act I, scene 5

• Tybalt remarks after Lord Capulet has exited
• I will withdraw but this intrusion shall, now
  seeming sweet, convert to bittrest gall
  (I.5.92-93)

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Act I, scene 5

• The Infatuation
• The Kiss
• The Enemy

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Act I, scene 5

• Romeo and Juliets attraction is immediately
  electric love at first sight!
• Yet, when they kiss they do not know each others
  identity.
• Juliets nurse breaks the news to each.

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Act I, scene 5

• Romeos reaction
• Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my
  foes debt (I.5.118-119).
• Juliets 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).

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Shakespeares 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.