Romeo and JulietAct I Analysis

Scene I

● Has been designed to capture audience members' attention

● Is a grand demonstration of social power and excitement with the city of Verona

● All background information from prologue has been incorporated; sets the tone for the remainder of the play

● Readers are introduced to the play's:

– Setting

– All layers of the social class within Verona's society

– Characterization of key players [including Benvolio, Romeo & Tybalt]

Scene I...

● Civil brawl introduces the important theme of masculine honor.– Throughout the play, we will watch male characters

defend their honor, both verbally and physically– Exists in every social layer of society– In Verona, men must defend their honor when another

violates it...they do not have a choice

The Society of Verona

● Important to focus on the interactions between the two families however..servants play a key role within the play too– Provide an outside perspective– Used to comment on the actions of the higher social

class & society as a whole– Their perspective can often change the way audience

members interpret the play– Illustrate the higher social class's privileged status and

questionable actions

The Introduction of Romeo

● Are we supposed to be shocked that Romeo isn't already in love with Juliet?

● Who is Rosaline? What is her purpose throughout the play?– Is it to illustrate the different levels of love or Romeo's

passionate nature?– She never appears onstage, but her presence is felt– Later when Romeo marries Juliet, his friends still

think that he is still in love with Rosaline

Scene II Analysis

Big Picture Question...

What factor from scene 2 greatly influences

Romeo and Juliet's downfall?

Parental Influence

Scene II

● The scene introduces Paris as Lord Capulet's pick for Juliet's husband

● Also sets the anticipation for Romeo and Juliet's meeting at Lord Capulet's feast

● **Establishes how Juliet is subject to parental influence

– Juliet is therefore, a highly controlled character

– As a young female, she has little say as to how she may conduct her life

– Lord Capulet can force her to marry whoever he wants

– Important to watch parental constraint● Is a key factor in Romeo and Juliet's actions

Scene II...

● Like women living during the Elizabethan Era, Juliet will be passed from the control of one man

to another

● What do you think about Lord Capulet's actions in the beginning of scene 2? Does he come across as a controlling father or one that is kind and open-

minded?

Scene II...

● Peter, the illiterate servant invites two Montagues [Romeo and Benvolio] to the Capulet's feast– Supposed to be a funny scene– Illustrates social class and power in Verona– A “chance happening” event– When this scene ends, audience members are

anticipating the meeting of Romeo and Juliet at the Capulet feast

Scene III

Introduction to Juliet

● **This scene continues to develop the issues surrounding parental influence**

– Lady Capulet supports her husband's plans for his daughter [the arrange marriage]

– The Nurse has served as Juliet's caregiver/ Motherly figure. She was the one who raised her...literally

– Lady Capulet's illustrates that she has been an ineffective mother.

Parental Influence &

Juliet's Obedience

● “I'll look to like, if looking liking move;/But no more deep will I endart mine eye/ Than your

consent gives me strength to make it fly”● [End of scene 2]

● **Audience members initially view Juliet as an obedient daughter. Juliet's character perfectly represents women

living during the Elizabethan Era**

The Nurse

● Both her husband and daughter, Susan, have died● The Nurse provides an outside perspective onto

Lady Capulet's character/personality– Think about Lady Capulet? Do you like her?

● Her character/dialogue are supposed to be funny

Scene IV● Scene begins with Romeo still acting melancholy:

– Wonders how they [Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio] will get into the play

– He states that he will not dance at the feat

● The Purpose of Romeo & “Mercutio's” Dreams:

– Combination of drama and comedy [like the beginning of the play]

– Romeo's dream reveals to him that going to the feast is a bad idea...

● ***Dramatic Irony & foreshadowing of what is to come later● The scene ends w/ Romeo expressing his concern. He feels as if the

night's activities will set into motion a doomed & unforgiving fate

Scene V

● Scene begins with Capulet servants, working to make sure that the feast runs smoothly

● Capulet later makes his rounds to make sure that his guest are dancing/having a good time

● Tybalt then sees Romeo at the feat– Capulet tells Tybalt to leave him alone

Romeo & Juliet's 1st Encounter

● Romeo's mood immediately changes

● Juliet's obedience towards her parents slowly diminishes too.

– Her attitude towards love changes too

● There are religious undertones during their first dialogue● [Juliet=Religious saint]● Romeo= Pilgrim who wishes to erase his sin]

● Scene concludes with each character figuring out that one another is from opposing house– Both characters foreshadow their doomed fate

Examples of ForeshadowingScene V

● Juliet: “My grave is like to be my wedding bed” [pg. 61]

● Romeo: “Is she a Capulet?” O dear account! My life is my foe's debt” [pg. 59]

● Tybalt: “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall”[pg. 57]

Act II

Scene I

Chorus● Sonnet describes the love between Romeo and

Juliet– Reinforces themes that have already appeared– Builds suspense & questions if the two lovers can

overcome their social labels

● Addresses the continuous hatred between the 2 families & the problems surrounding parental influence– They will have trouble spending time with one another– Their true love, however, gives them the courage to

fight the obstacles that lay ahead

Scene I

● Romeo feels that he cannot go home. He must find Juliet

● Benvolio & Mercutio eventually stop looking for him and assume that he does not want to be found. They exit and go home

● Mercutio mocks Romeo's feelings for Rosaline– Romeo's friends still think that he's in love with Rosaline...they do

not know about Juliet

● In response to Mercutio's teasing, Romeo says: “He jest at scars that never felt a wound”

Scene II

● The famous Balcony scene, one of the most famous scenes in theater– “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east,

and Juliet is the sun”-Romeo

● Strong contrasts between what is light and what is dark– Juliet appears first, then Romeo unveils his appearance

● Love led Romeo to Juliet [chance happening event!!]– Romeo will be put to death if he is found, but he claims Juliet's love

would make him immune to his enemies

– The power of language:

● Juliet's speech, questioning identity– [see journal entry #4]

Scene II...

● Juliet does not want to Romeo to think that she has been easily won [pg. 75, lines 100]– Even though she is in love with Romeo, she is still

cautious about his appearance in the orchard

● The Nurse calls for Juliet and she must leave. ● She manages to return to the window one last

time– They plan to meet the next morning at 9– Romeo exits wanting to tell the Friar of what

happened between him and Juliet

Scene III

● Introduction to Friar Lawrence– Pay attention to what the Friar is talking about in his

first monologue!

● Romeo enters, then tells the Friar about his love for Juliet– At first, the Friar thinks that Romeo spent all night w/

Rosaline– What does Romeo want the Friar to do? [pg. 87]– What does the Friar think that the marriage will cure?

[pg. 89]

Scene IV

● Just before 9am, Benvolio and Mercutio question what happened to Romeo the previous night

● They also find out that Tybalt has sent him Romeo a letter– Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel– Mercutio says that Romeo is not man enough to defeat

Tybalt

● Upon Romeo's return, Mercutio immediately makes fun of him, for he knows that Romeo has been weakened by love

Scene IV...

● Again, readers see an illustration of sensual love/brotherly love between these 3 characters

● The nurse's arrival...– She serves as a messenger between Romeo & Juliet– She first questions his intentions with Juliet– Finally, Romeo tells the Nurse that Juliet should attend

confession that afternoon. ● Friar Laurence has agreed to marry them

Scene V

● Juliet is anxious for the Nurse's return● After her return, the Nurse pretends to be too tired● Eventually, however, she tells Juliet about the

plans surrounding her marriage with Romeo– During this scene, Shakespeare emphasizes youth and

romantic love– Romeo and Juliet are equally excited for what is to

come.– They believe that love is the most powerful force

Scene VI

● Romeo and Friar Lawrence wait for Juliet to arrive

● Romeo does not care about what negative outcomes could come from their marriage

● The Friar's advice to Romeo [ to “love moderately”] strongly foreshadows the characters' tragic fate– “These violent delights have violent ends” [pg. 109]

Discussion Question

What do you think about the Friar's advice to Romeo in scene 6? Do you

think he follows through with his advice, or is he just as passionate as the two young lovers? At this point, do you

think that he is responsible for their death?