Romeo and Juliet. Introduction

Transcription

1 Romeo and Juliet Introduction Romeo and Juliet is just about the most famous love story of all time. It is the tragic tale of two young people in love who are destined never to be together. As well as being about their passion for each other, it is also about murder, hatred, jealousy, suspicion and fate. It shows how hatred can ruin lives, and the consequences chance and coincidence can have upon us and those whom we love. The story is set many years ago in the beautiful city of Verona, Italy, where two rich and powerful families have hated each other for generations, constantly fighting and feuding. Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. The whole story takes place in under a week, but so much happens in that short time, and lives are lost or changed forever. The action is centred on the tragic love affair between the teenagers Romeo and Juliet, who are described as; A pair of star-cross d lovers

2 Chapter One In the lovely city of Verona, long, long ago, there lived two powerful families, the Capulets and the Montagues. They had known each other for generations and for longer than anyone could remember there had been great hatred between them. Many years before our story even started, a quarrel had broken out between these two groups of people. Even though nobody knew the reason for the original mistrust, the animosity and hatred continued and flourished. The fear and loathing each family felt for the other grew daily, like a vile monster, insult upon insult, till even the servants of both households were involved in the feuding. Indeed, wherever they went, people of either side could not go out into the hot streets without hurling abuse at each other, jangling their spiky swords, and deliberately picking a fight. The people of Verona were thoroughly fed up with the peace of their city being so stupidly destroyed all the time. It was a hot morning in July. The air was heavy and the market place buzzing with happy activity as two men sauntered idly down the street. Their swords clinked at their sides and as they ambled along they joked and whispered together. They worked for the Capulets and goodness gracious! They were at it again! Harping on about how much they hated the Montagues. Suddenly, from around a post, they caught sight of two servants from the house of Montague, and immediately decided to start a fight. One of them even took his sword out ready. My naked weapon is out; quarrel I will back thee. In no time at all the four quarrelsome men were at each other s throats, kicking and punching, upsetting stalls, breaking chairs and tables and creating general mayhem in their attempts to kill each other. They would have succeeded as well if Benvolio, a friend of Romeo Montague, had not appeared and put an end to their scrapping. Just as things were beginning to quieten down another young man arrived on the scene. This was Tybalt, a Capulet, and a man of very fiery temperament and quicker fists. He was most upset to see that peace had been restored; What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee! In no time at all he and Benvolio were also rolling about in the dirt and dust of the market place. Within minutes two old men, the heads of each family, Montague and Capulet, joined them. 1

3 Now they were so ancient and doddery they could do little damage to each other, but added a lot to the general confusion. Five minutes earlier, the scene had been that of peace and prosperity. Now the whole market place was in uproar, as men hammered into each other, kicking over everything in their way, and terrifying women and children. Dogs snarled, chickens squawked, babies wailed and yelled, and citizens cried: Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! Such bedlam! It seemed as if the fight was going to last for some time, with great loss of blood and much damage, when suddenly into the market place rode the Prince of Verona with his bodyguards. He was absolutely furious to find, once again, Capulets and Montagues brawling and fighting in the streets like a plague of maddened rats. This time he had really had enough. If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. Just to make sure the fight would not break out again, the Prince took everybody away with him, leaving behind only the Montagues and Benvolio. 2

4 For some time Lady Montague had been worried about her only son, Romeo, and had been unable to find out what was the matter with him. She told Benvolio that Romeo was just a misery, hanging around gloomily doing nothing, or locking himself up in his room, all pale and lifeless. As they were speaking, Romeo suddenly appeared around the corner, dragging his feet and hanging his head, like a man on his way to his own execution. Benvolio whispered to the Montagues that he would find out what was wrong, so they left, leaving the two young friends alone. It didn t take Benvolio long to find out the cause of Romeo s strange behaviour as his friend couldn t wait to talk about it. He was wildly and hopelessly in love with the most gorgeous girl in the world, the wonderful and fragrant Rosaline. The problem was, she was just not interested, and so poor Romeo was pining away for love of her. For a good ten minutes he went on and on about how fantastic Rosaline was, how she was complete perfection, and Benvolio listened patiently like the good friend he was. A servant interrupted them, carrying a note, which he asked Romeo to read. It told of a ball being held at the Capulet s mansion, to which all the beautiful ladies of Verona had been invited. When the servant had gone Benvolio turned to Romeo with a sly smile. He suggested that Romeo sneak into the party and then he would see that there were other girls just as lovely, if not more so, than the wondrous Rosaline. Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a Crow. Romeo was not convinced (How could any woman be lovelier than Rosaline?), but he decided that he would give it a go. Accordingly, at nightfall, Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio (Romeo s best friend) and a few others in their group, met outside the Capulet s enormous mansion. They were all dressed up for the occasion, looking like beautiful silken butterflies and wearing masks, as was the custom in those days. They were in high spirits, especially Mercutio, who was a mischievous, and lively chap. He was very excited about their escapade and teased Romeo as they all fidgeted about in the warm evening air outside the gates of the Capulet family home. Romeo, however, was still gloomy, and strange and uneasy thoughts were swirling through his head, thoughts that seemed to lead him to death and the grave. However, they had come here to go to the ball, and so eventually they found themselves in the great hall, where music and laughter hung in the air and beautiful ladies, clad in the richest silks and finest brocades, swirled like fireflies on the dance floor. Romeo and his friends mingled with the guests, their unwelcome presence being unsuspected, until the fiery Tybalt recognised Romeo s voice. Tybalt s heart began to beat violently. A Montague was in the room! The hated enemy! He was all ready to get his dagger out, when old Capulet stopped him. No fighting should ruin this happy occasion, and anyway, Romeo was being no bother. Tybalt was enraged and, swearing under his breath, flounced from the room in fury. 3

5 Meanwhile, Romeo had seen his beloved Rosaline, but a really weird and totally unexpected thing had happened. It seemed she was no longer his beloved. How could this possibly be? Well, he just could not take his eyes off another lady, a lady of unbelievable beauty, standing near the centre of the room. She was so lovely that Romeo spoke aloud: O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night As a rich jewel in an Ethiop s ear- Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! These were the words that the quick-tempered Tybalt had heard. Juliet, for this was the lady s name, had of course noticed the masked guest who was staring at her with such intensity. Her heart began to jump like a firecracker as he drew near her and took her hand. They moved away to a quiet part of the room, where they sat whispering to each other. What love was then born! They held hands and gazed into each other s eyes. Romeo even managed to steal a tiny kiss from his dearest love! Suddenly they were interrupted by a big, fat lady with an enormous bosom, which marched ahead of her like a massive galleon storming through foaming waters. The beautiful lady s mother wanted a word with her. But who was her mother, Romeo wanted to know? His heart groaned when he realised that her mother was none other than the Lady Capulet, wife of his father s bitterest enemy. He had fallen for their only daughter, Juliet Capulet! This was dreadful news, and Romeo cursed the night when he had first set eyes on her. Juliet, in turn, finding from her nurse, who her masked lover was, cried: My only love sprung from my only hate! 4

6 Chapter Two Romeo dashed away from the ball, and his friends couldn t find him. They searched all over, calling out and teasing him with their jokes about the wonderful Rosaline, but gave up when he didn t appear. They continued their evening s fun in the hot and dark streets of Verona. Romeo meanwhile, unable to tear himself away from the mansion where Juliet lived, hung about in the orchard of the Capulet s garden, sighing and whispering to himself and thinking about the beautiful Juliet. She was unable to sleep and went out to sit on the balcony, overlooking the garden. It was a magical night. The air was warm and fragrant and the moon shone clearly over the orchard, shedding silver sparkles onto the trees and flowers. She could hear somebody playing a guitar in the distance and the sweet notes floated up to her on her lonely balcony. She sat there in silence and thought how unfair it was that she should be in love for the only time in her life with a person forbidden to her because of a silly feud. She raged that his name was Romeo Montague and wished he would just disobey his family name. O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Unknown to her, Romeo could hear every single word she said, as he hid by the bushes under her balcony. His heart thumped madly as he crept forward to catch everything. He realised that she knew he was the son of her father s greatest enemy and also felt it was just their names that stood in the way of happiness. Softly Juliet spoke again, and Romeo strained to hear: Tis but thy name that is my enemy; What s in a name? That which we call a Rose By any other name would smell as sweet Romeo could not believe his luck. She loved him! She felt the same as he! He crept out from his hiding place and at first Juliet was alarmed, until she saw who it was. 5

7 Then she felt ashamed that he had heard her private thoughts and might make fun of her. But no, after many whispered promises of love and more stolen kisses, Juliet realised that they were made for each other, and time and time again she came back out onto the balcony to be with him. Her old fat nurse called her in repeatedly and eventually she had to go, but not before she and Romeo had decided to get married the next day once Romeo had sorted out the arrangements. Reluctantly they tore themselves away from each other: Parting is such sweet sorrow. 6

8 Romeo crept back over the garden wall and Juliet returned to her chamber. The fair Rosaline never entered Romeo s mind, and Juliet totally forgot that that very morning, although she was not yet fourteen, her father had chosen a bright young nobleman called Paris to be her husband. Early next morning Romeo went to speak to Friar Laurence to ask him to perform the wedding ceremony. His friend was in his herb garden, picking flowers and choosing herbs for certain remedies. He knew all about plants, and how to extract perfumes and poisons from them. The Friar was a little startled to discover that the beautiful Juliet had so easily replaced the fair Rosaline in Romeo s affections. However, he felt that such a marriage might be a good way to stop the eternal war between their two families. He agreed to carry out the ceremony that afternoon. This done, Romeo hurried home to wait for news from Juliet. He arrived to find his two good friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, holding a scrap of paper from Tybalt demanding Romeo to fight to the death. Tybalt was still steaming with anger about Romeo s presence at the ball the night before and wanted to kill him. As the three men were talking, Juliet s fat nurse approached, her bosom before her and her skirts floating all about like the sails of a large galleon. It was Romeo she was looking for, and after Mercutio and Benvolio had teased and annoyed her for a good five minutes they left her alone with him. They had had such a good time tormenting the poor old nurse that they forgot to tell Romeo that Tybalt was after him demanding a fight to the death. The poor old lady was very flustered and cross because of the teasing she had endured from Romeo s two friends, but once she was sure that she was indeed speaking to Romeo she began to calm down enough to give him a little lecture about Juliet. Having cared for Juliet since Juliet was a baby, she loved her dearly and so was very anxious that Romeo should treat her properly. Romeo promised that he would and asked her to tell Juliet to be at Friar Laurence s monastery that very afternoon for the marriage ceremony. The fat old nurse was delighted! She just wanted Juliet to be happily married and now she was going to be! She waddled off in a great rush to tell her young mistress the good news. And so it was that that very afternoon, in Friar Laurence s monastery, the two teenagers were married. The names of Capulet and Montague were joined in their wedding ceremony, two families who had hated each other for longer than anyone could remember. Instead of hatred, there was now love between these two great houses. 7