Act I

This is only part of the story. Remember that when we are analysing a text we are looking for how the composer has constructed the text to shape meaning. The plot, particularly in Shakespearean drama, is merely a vehicle through which the composer can express meaning.

Within this particular plot Shakespeare includes and elaborates on many different characters in a way that is entertaining and shapes meaning. He asks the responders to think about the concepts of love, society and hate. By understanding how Shakespeare does this not only will you understand the play more completely and do better in your assessment tasks, you will also find reading and viewing the play more enjoyable.

Prologue

This is in the form of a sonnet (refer to Unit 5, Topic 2, Chapter 5). The prologue tells the entire story in fourteen lines:

• There are two families that have been feuding for a long time - 'From ancient grudge break to new mutiny' (3).
• The children of each of these families fall in love.
• These lovers kill themselves because of the feud - 'A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life' (6).
• The two families reconcile their differences as a result - 'the continuance of their parents' rage / which, but their children's end, nought could remove' (10-11).

The couplet at the end of this sonnet implores the audience to keep watching as the story will be told in more detail.

It may seem strange that Shakespeare would give away the ending of the play at the beginning, but remember that Shakespeare did not compose the story - he has rewritten it to better suit his audience. The prologue gives the responders a sense of the tragedy that is to follow.

Act I

This act is the orientation of the play. Shakespeare introduces the characters, their relationships and the setting on which the story is based. By the end of this Act the responder is aware of the characters, their main qualities and their social context:

• The Montagues and Capulets are feuding families.
• Tybalt is a passionate defender of the Capulet name.
• Romeo Montague is lovesick; his cousin, Benvolio, tries to console him.
• Paris asks Capulet for Juliet's hand in marriage.
• Romeo is convinced by Benvolio and later Mercutio to attend a party at the Capulets mansion.
• Tybalt sees Romeo at the Capulet Mansion and vows revenge.
• Romeo and Juliet fall in love.

Scene i: the city of Verona

The scene opens with the bawdy (rude) banter of Sampson and Gregory, servingmen of the Capulet family. They meet and begin fighting with two servants of the Montague family. Benvolio Montague and Tybalt Capulet, young men from the families, are drawn into the fighting. The heads of the families, Montague and Capulet, threaten to join the brawl and the townspeople try to stop the violence. Finally, the Prince intervenes and firmly puts a stop to the riot and demands that they keep the peace on pain of death.

Benvolio meets Romeo and tries to find out why Romeo has been behaving strangely. Romeo is in love with Rosaline but Rosaline has declined his love. Benvolio advises Romeo to forget about this love and find a new object of affection.

Important Points to note from Act I, Scene i:

• There is great tension between the Capulets and the Montagues.
• Tybalt is an aggressive and violent man.
• The Prince has commanded the two families to keep the peace.
• Romeo is a passionate young man, well liked but depressed on account of his unrequited love.

Scene ii: Verona

Capulet explains to Paris that he will endeavour to keep the peace. Paris asks for Juliet's hand in marriage. Capulet, while he thinks that Juliet is too young, invites Paris to a masquerade ball (a party where all the guests wear masks) to see if he and Juliet will fall in love.

Benvolio and Romeo intercept the invitation list for Capulet's ball. On reading that Rosaline will be attending, Benvolio insists that they go uninvited to the party. Benvolio believes that Romeo will find other women just as worthy of his love as Rosaline, and Romeo agrees because he wants to see Rosaline.

Important Points to note from Act I, Scene ii:

• Paris asks for Juliet's hand from her father and without meeting her.
• Juliet is very young.
• Benvolio and Romeo decide to attend the ball uninvited.
• Benvolio believes that when Romeo sees so many other women he will forget about Rosaline.

Scene iii: Capulet's mansion

In discussing Juliet's childhood, the Nurse reveals that Juliet is young and naive. Juliet's mother is excited at the prospect of Paris as a suitor and encourages Juliet to accept his offer.

Important Points to note from Act I, Scene iii:

• The Nurse is very close to Juliet.
• Juliet is very young and inexperienced.
• Juliet's mother and the Nurse believe that a good marriage should improve one's status.
• Juliet is obedient and practical.

Scene iv: Verona, possibly close to Capulet's mansion

Romeo, Benvolio and their close friend, Mercutio, are ready to go to the ball. Romeo is having second thoughts about attending. Mercutio teases Romeo in a friendly manner and convinces Romeo to attend the ball. As it is a masquerade ball, they should not be recognised. The scene ends with Romeo predicting that attending this ball will have dire consequences.

Important Points to note from Act I, Scene iv:

• Mercutio is a very close friend of Romeo as evidenced through his ability to convince Romeo to attend the masquerade ball.
• Mercutio is presented to the responder as a lovable character - his wild speeches are enthusiastic and entertaining - and also provide relief from the serious nature of the tragedy.
• Romeo has a sense of foreboding (he is worried) about the consequences of attending the ball and this introduces the audience to a sense of impending tragedy.

Scene v: the masquerade ball at the Capulet mansion

Capulet verbosely welcomes the guests to the ball and implores them to have a good time. He makes many remarks that imply that this is a rather wild party (I.v.16-35). Romeo sees Juliet and immediately falls in love (42-52). Tybalt recognises Romeo and wants to start fighting. Capulet restrains Tybalt as he does not want the peace broken in his house and also because he has respect for Romeo and knows that the society sees him as a 'virtuous and well-govern'd youth' (I.v.67). Tybalt eventually obeys his uncle but vows revenge at a later date. Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love. The scene ends with Romeo discovering with shock that Juliet is a Capulet and Juliet discovering that Romeo is a Montague.

Important Points to note from Act I, Scene v:

• Romeo does find a woman that he prefers to Rosaline.
• Tybalt sees Romeo and vows violent revenge.
• Capulet calms him down on account that Romeo is of good character and this reaffirms to the responder Romeo's good nature.
• Romeo and Juliet fall in love very quickly and easily.
• The scene ends with Romeo and Juliet finding out that they are from feuding families.