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