Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Notes

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare ACT 1 OUTLINE By Erin Salona

Act 1ProloguePrologue From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossd lovers take their life; Summary of the play Setting: Verona, Italy Old argument between two families causes fights/riots There are two “star-crossed lovers” - ill-fated - not meant to be together Only the deaths of Romeo and Juliet can end the argument - They are the “star- crossed” lovers The play should take two hours to perform Verona, Italy

Act 1 Prologue: Why? Why does Shakespeare tell us the fate of Romeo and Juliet in the first 14 lines?  A great storyteller can do this; the details of the story are more important than the ending.  The audience will watch in anticipation of the deaths, making each action of the characters more strongly felt.

Act 1, Scene 1 A. Capulet servants boast about fighting Montagues (enemy) B. They want to provoke the Montague servants without getting themselves in trouble with the law C. A Capulet servant insults/ bites his thumb at MontagueBite Your Thumb = Insult servant which starts a fight (riot)

Act 1, Scene 1C. Benvolio arrives Benvolio: Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you and tries to break do. up fightD. Tybalt provokes Benvolio into fighting Tybalt: What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward! Tybalt

Act 1, Scene 1E. Prince Escalus arrives, Prince: If ever you disturb our streets again, stops fight, and sentences Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace the family that starts the next fight/riot to death.F. Lord Montague and wife and Lord Capulet both appear at the scene - Lord Capulet is most interested in fighting - Lady Montague & Lady Capulet encourage their husbands not to fight Romeo & Gang

Act 1, Scene 1: Why? Why does a play about forbidden love begin with The feud affects citizens Capulet & Montague of all classes in Verona. servants fighting?  Immediately love & violence are intertwined  The servants behavior reflects their masters’ ridiculous attitudes (holding a violent grudge against another family without knowing the reason of their hate)

Act 1, Scene 1G. Romeo’s parents (the Lord Montague: Away from the light steals home myMontagues) and Benvolio heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself,discuss Romeo’s mood. Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out And makes himself an artificial night: 1. Lord Montague points out that Romeo is staying in his room all day. 2. Benvolio has seen Romeo wandering around. 3. He sees that Romeo wants to be left alone; so, he doesn’t bother him. Sad Romeo

Act 1, Scene 1H. Romeo tells Benvolio that he is depressed 1. Romeo loves Rosaline. (Romeo is obsessed with her.) 2. Rosaline wants nothing to do with him; she has sworn off love and men to become a nun 3. Benvolio wants Romeo to look at other girls to date Rosaline

Act 1, Scene 2 A. Count Paris, who is 21, asks Lord Capulet if he can marry Juliet. B. Capulet would like Paris to wait 2 years C. [All of Juliet’s siblings are dead] D. Capulet will agree to the marriage only if Juliet also agrees. He tells Paris Lord Capulet: But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, to begin wooing her My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice.

Act 1, Scene 2 D. Benvolio and Romeo find out about the Capulets’ party. 1. Romeo reads the guest list for an illiterate servant. 2. Rosaline is invited to the party. Romeo is interested in going now!

Act 1, Scene 2 E. Benvolio talks Benvolio: Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face [Rosaline’s] with some that I shall Romeo into show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. crashing the party.  1. Benvolio wants Romeo to compare Rosaline to other girls.  2. He thinks Romeo will realize that there are other women in the world. Romeo in Mask

Act 1, Scene 3  A. Lady Capulet goes to see Juliet about marrying Count Paris & encourages her to marry him. B. Nurse rambles on and on; says Juliet will be 14 in 2 weeks. She speaks crude comments about Juliet, showing her lower class Lady Capulet: Well, think of marriage now; younger than you, Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, Are made already mothers: by my count, I was your mother much upon these years That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:Juliet, Nurse, Lady Capulet The valiant Paris seeks you for his love.

Act 1, Scene 3  C. Juliet says that she hasn’t thought about marriage at all.  It does not appear she wants to marry Paris  but she is obedient to her mother’s wishes.  D. Nurse thinks that marrying Paris would be a good idea.  E. Juliet agrees to meetJuliet to Lady Capulet: Ill look to like, if looking Paris at the party andliking move: consider his offer ofBut no more deep will I endart mine eyeThan your consent gives strength to make it fly. marriage.

Act 1, Scene 4 A. Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio, and friends are on their way to crash the masquerade party. 1. Romeo doesn’t want to go as he is The Capulet Ball still depressed. 3 August 1570 All are invited 2. Says he will not Unless you be dance. from the house of 3. The guys are Montagues wearing masks at the party to hide their identities.

Act 1, Scene 4 B. Mercutio tries to cheer Romeo up by talking about his dream. C. Romeo fears that something bad is going to come of this night; i.e. he might die.  Romeo: I fear, too early: for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this nights revels and expire the term Of a despised life closed in my breast By some vile forfeit of untimely death. FORESHADOWING

Act 1, Scene 4 Mercutio’s Queen Mab Monologue: Queen Mab = an imaginary fairy who brings dreams of people’s fantasies & fears to them as they sleep Romeo says he listens to his dreams Mercutio uses the Queen Mab speech to tell Romeo to ignore his dreams; dreams are nonsense– he gives many examples Mercutio is NOT romantic like Romeo but rather a passionate joker/master of puns.  Mercutio is a FOIL to Romeo.  Mercutio is a FOIL to Tybalt: he does not believe in fighting for family honor. Queen Mab

Act 1, Scene 5 A. Lord Capulet welcomes all to his party. B. Romeo sees Juliet across the room and falls in ‘love’ with Juliet. (Rosaline who?)  Romeo: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night Like a rich jewel in an Ethiopes ear The Capulet Ball

Act 1, Scene 5  C. Tybalt, who is a hothead, overhears Romeo talking about Juliet and instantly wants to kill him.  Tybalt: Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,/ A villain that is hither come in spite, To scorn at our solemnity this night FORESHADOWING  D. Lord Capulet stops Tybalt from fighting in his house and warns him to calm down or to leave the party.  Lord Capulet reminds Tybalt that Romeo is behavingTybalt  Tybalt vows to seek revenge at some point in the future

Act 1, Scene 5 E. Romeo and Juliet meet but do not exchange names. F. They instantly fall in love.  Romeo worships Juliet with religious devotion  Saints and prayers are referenced in their dialogue  They kiss! G. As people are leaving, Romeo asks who Juliet is. Nurse explains: She is a Capulet and his enemy.  Romeo to Nurse: Is she a Capulet? O dear account! my life is my foes debt. Juliet & Romeo

Act 1, Scene 5  H. Nurse also identifies Romeo for Juliet. He is a Montague and her enemy.  Juliet to Nurse: My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy.  I. Both Romeo and Juliet are depressed at theseJuliet to Nurse: Go ask his name: if he be discoveries.married.  J. What will happen inMy grave is like to be my wedding bed. Act 2?

Works Cited Chichester, Karen. “Romeo and Juliet Outlines by Act.” Jefferson High School: Livonia, Michigan. SlideShare.net. SlideShare Inc. Sept. 2008. Web. 18 May 2010. “Romeo and Juliet.” Google Images. Google. 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Michigan Institute of Technology. 2010. Web. 18 May 2010.

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Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Notes

by Carmel High School; Carmel, Indiana on May 23, 2011

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