ROMEO AND JULIET 3
Opening of the play PROLOGUE 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. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love And the continuance of their parents' rage, Which, but their children s end, naught could remove, Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage The which, if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. The prologue of Romeo and Juliet gives us an insight into the plot of the play. We learn of two star-cross d lovers while we also learn that there is strife and an ancient grudge between two families. While the prologue reveals the plot, it allows us to question which parts of the play contribute to the death of the two lovers. 4
SUMMARY OF ACT ONE, SCENE ONE The story begins as two of Capulet s servants, Sampson and Gregory, walk the streets of fair Verona. Together, they discuss their hatred of the Montague clan, immediately revealing that hatred is quite a significant theme in the play. As two Montague servants approach, all four servants exchange verbal blows and engage in a skirmish. As the servants engage in dialogue, it is evident that there is tension between them: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?. They challenge each other to fight, revealing that the play is set in a world of violence: Draw, if you be men. The fiery character of Tybalt is also introduced as he quarrels with the Montagues: What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word/as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. The entrance of the prince hints at the consequences protagonist Romeo will have to face in Act Three, Scene One. Prince Escalus condemns violence and threatens that there will be fatal consequences if another brawl erupts: If ever you disturb our streets again/your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. The opening act is also extremely important as it introduces the protagonist, Romeo Montague, to us. He is established as a pacifist when he appears todisapprove of the street brawl which his family members engaged in: O brawling love, O loving hate. Romeo is lovesick his love for Rosaline is an unrequited love: Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast. 5
Act One, Scene Five This scene has themes such as: Love at first sight Attraction Summary Romeo gatecrashes the Capulets feast with his friends, each disguised in masks. Here, all of the Capulets from Lord Capulet to Tybalt to Juliet, gather. From across the room, Romeo sees Juliet and is in awe. He forgets about his love for Rosaline and declares that he has never been in love until that moment: Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. Tybalt recognises Romeo s voice as he sifts through the crowd. he angrily sends a servant to fetch his rapier. Capulet scolds him, telling him that no violence shall erupt at his feast. Tybalt agrees to remain peaceful but privately reveals his thoughts: Romeo s prank, which seems so sweet to him now, will turn bitter to him later. Romeo approaches Juliet, takes her hand and reveals his love for her: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss They speak in religious terms Juliet calls Romeo a good pilgrim and informs him that he should use his lips in prayer. They kiss. Juliet s nurse interrupts their kiss, informing her that her mother wishes to speak to her. As Juliet leaves, the Nurse informs Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet. 6
Act Two, Scene One This scene has themes such as: Secrecy Forbidden romance As Romeo departs the feast, he decides to visit Juliet. He climbs over a wall into the Capulets orchard. Juliet suddenly appears at a window in the distance, declaring her love for Romeo, unaware of his presence. Romeo, speaking to himself, calls her an angel and the sun : She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a wingèd messenger of heaven Romeo reveals himself to her. They declare their love for each other and agree to marry. It is evident that Juliet will do anything for Romeo even betray her family: O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love and I'll no longer be a Capulet 7
Act Three, Scene One The following themes can be seen in this scene: Violence Hatred Conflict Tension Pivotal scene one that changes the course of the play Your favourite scene from the play Summary The scene commences on a tense note as Benvolio and Mercutio walk in the street under the boiling sun Benvolio suggests to Mercutio that they go indoors, fearing that a brawl will be inevitable should they encounter members of the Capulet family: I pray thee good Mercutio let s retire, the day is hot and the Capels abroad This is an example of Shakespeare s use of pathetic fallacy (weather) to reflect the mood. The hot day suggests that there will soon be a heated confrontation between the Montague & Capulet clans. The scene is set for a confrontation as Tybalt enters and approaches Benvolio and Mercutio, demanding to know the whereabouts of the villain" Romeo. Romeo s entrance marks the beginning of a confrontation which will be a pivotal point in the play. Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel as he slanders him, calling him a villain. Romeo, now secretly married to Juliet, refuses to engage in potential combat with Tybalt: Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee/doth much excuse the [appertaining] rage Mercutio angrily draws his sword and declares that he will take one of Tybalt s nine lives. They soon engage in a skirmish. As Romeo, being a pacifist, attempts to interrupt the fight, Tybalt stabs Mercutio and quickly flees. Mercutio dies, cursing both the Montagues and the Capulets: A plague o both your houses. Romeo draws his sword as Tybalt re-enters. They fight, and Romeo slays Tybalt. Benvolio urges Romeo to flee for safety as residents approach them. Romeo cries, O, I am fortune s fool!, suggesting that he regrets his actions. He quickly flees. The Prince enters, accompanied by the Montagues and Capulets. Benvolio divulges information about the brawl, portraying Romeo as innocent. However, Lady Capulet demands that Romeo should face a death penalty for his actions. Prince Escalus decides to exile Romeo from Verona & states that if Romeo is found within Verona, he will be killed. 8
STAGING A SCENE COSTUMES: ERA when the play takes place. Think about what kind of clothes people wore then. PERSONALITY OF THE CHARACTER what can you reveal about them from the clothes they wear? e.g. Violent/furious character red clothing, innocent/peaceful white, loving pink, upper class heavy velvets (purple/gold), middle class lighter fabric, lower class torn and dirty clothing SET SYMBOLISM is the set trying to show an idea visually? e.g. Colours portraying violence, love, etc. PROPS REVOLVING SET (means that the set changes) FACIAL EXPRESIONS/GESTURES/POSITIONING EXPRESSIONS - raising an eyebrow, frowning, smiling, eye contact expressions give us an insight into the character s feelings & the relationships between characters. GESTURES posture, arms crossed, fists clenched, shaking create atmosphere POSITIONING position on stage (centre-stage for emphasis), closeness/distance from other actors (closeness resembles a loving relationship, distance illustrates a tense relationship) LIGHTING COLOURS shadows (mystery/suspense), flashing coloured lights (conflict), blues & whites (end of conflict peacefulness), brightness (warmth, hospitality, love gold, yellow). INTENSITY from which direction is the light strongest? (Focusing on one character or two) MUSIC / SOUND EFFECTS / TONE OF VOICE SPECIAL SOUND EFFECTS gunshot, doorbell, phone etc Does it interrupt the action? Is it expected or not? MUSIC String instruments represent love/sadness (violin, cello, etc), percussion (drums, cymbals) tension TONE OF VOICE extremely important for revealing the mood of the character. What feeling are they revealing when they speak? What volume do they speak at? 9
ACT FOUR, SCENES ONE & TWO Summary In his cell, Friar Lawrence speaks with Paris about the about his upcoming marriage to Juliet. Paris says Juliet is unsure about their marriage due to Tybalt s death and that Capulet, has decided they should marry soon Juliet enters. Paris shows her compassion but she ignores him. After Paris leaves, Juliet asks Friar Lawrence for help, brandishing a knife and saying that she will kill herself rather than marry Paris. The friar proposes a plan: Juliet must consent to marry Paris; then, on the night before the wedding, she must drink a sleeping potion that will make her appear to be dead; she will be laid to rest in the Capulet tomb, and the friar will send word to Romeo (banished in Mantua) to help him retrieve her when she wakes up. She will then return to Mantua with Romeo, and be free to live with him away from their parents hatred. Juliet consents to the plan wholeheartedly. Friar Lawrence gives her the sleeping potion: Take thou this vial, being then in bed, And this distillèd liquor drink thou off, When presently through all thy veins shall run A cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse Shall keep his native progress, but surcease. No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest. The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade To paly ashes, thy eyes' windows fall Like death when he shuts up the day of life. Each part, deprived of supple government, Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death. And in this borrowed likeness of shrunk death Thou shalt continue two and forty hours, And then awake as from a pleasant sleep. The Capulets are pleased to hear that Juliet wants to marry Paris. Juliet s father had previously said the following: An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee, Nor what is mine shall never do thee good: Trust to't, bethink you; I'll not be forsworn. 10
Juliet s Soliloquy (Act Four, Scene Three) Juliet s soliloquy is a pivotal scene in the play and is an example of dramatic irony the audience know that she is considering consuming the potion but most other characters do not. It leads to a miscommunication of information regarding her false death, causing Romeo to commit suicide at her graveside, where she is about to regain consciousness. Juliet is in a dilemma she has fallen for her loathed enemy Romeo, betraying her family s wishes. Her father wants to marry her to County Paris but Juliet declares that he shall not make her a joyful bride. However, she lies that she will marry him as she plots her escape to Mantua, where Romeo is in exile. She is about to drink a potion concocted by Friar Lawrence. Juliet has three major fears betrayal, death & waking up in the company of Tybalt s revengeful spirit. She expresses these as she delivers her soliloquy in Act Four, Scene Three. Juliet considers taking the potion: My dismal scene I needs must act alone. Come, vial. (holds out the vial) She fears that Friar Lawrence has betrayed her: What if this mixture do not work at all? Shall I be married then tomorrow morning? No, no. This shall forbid it. Lie thou there. (lays her knife down) What if it be a poison, which the friar Subtly hath ministered to have me dead, Lest in this marriage he should be dishonored Because he married me before to Romeo? I fear it is. And yet, methinks, it should not, For he hath still been tried a holy man. She fears that she will wake in the company of Tybalt s spirit: How if, when I am laid into the tomb, I wake before the time that Romeo Come to redeem me? There s a fearful point. Shall I not, then, be stifled in the vault To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in, And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes? Or, if I live, is it not very like The horrible conceit of death and night, Together with the terror of the place As in a vault, an ancient receptacle, Where for these many hundred years the bones Of all my buried ancestors are packed; Where bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth, Lies festering in his shroud; where, as they say, 11 At some hours in the night spirits resort Alack, alack, is it not like that I, So early waking, what with loathsome smells, And shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earth, That living mortals, hearing them, run mad. Oh, if I wake, shall I not be distraught, Environèd with all these hideous fears, And madly play with my forefather s joints, And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud, And, in this rage, with some great kinsman s bone, As with a club, dash out my desperate brains? Oh, look! Methinks I see my cousin s ghost Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body Upon a rapier s point. Stay, Tybalt, stay! Juliet drinks the potion: Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here s drink. I drink to thee.
Ending of the play (Act Five, Scenes Two and Three) Summary At his cell, Friar Lawrence speaks with Friar John, whom he had earlier sent to Mantua with a letter for Romeo. He asks John how Romeo responded to his letter (which described the plan involving Juliet s false death). Friar John replies that he was unable to deliver the letter because he was shut up in a quarantined house due to an outbreak of plague. Friar Lawrence becomes upset, realising that if Romeo does not know about Juliet s false death, there will be no one to retrieve her from the tomb when she awakes. (He does not know that Romeo has learned of Juliet s death and believes it to be real.) Sending for a crowbar, Friar Lawrence declares that he will have to rescue Juliet from the tomb on his own. He sends another letter to Romeo to warn him about what has happened, and plans to keep Juliet in his cell until Romeo arrives. In the churchyard that night, Paris enters with his servant. He orders him to leave. He soon hears a whistle the servant s warning that someone is approaching. He quickly hides and Romeo approaches with Balthasar. He then he orders Balthasar to leave, and, in the morning, to deliver to Montague the letter Romeo had given him. Balthasar leaves the building but remains hiding outside. From his hiding place, Paris recognises Romeo as the man who murdered Tybalt. As Romeo has been exiled from the city on penalty of death, Paris thinks that Romeo must hate the Capulets so much that he has returned to the tomb to do some dishonour to the corpse of either Tybalt or Juliet. In a rage, Paris confronts Romeo who pleads with him to leave, but Paris refuses. They draw their swords and fight. Paris s page runs off to inform others. Romeo kills Paris. As he dies, Paris asks to be laid near Juliet in the tomb, and Romeo consents. He finds Juliet lying peacefully, and wonders how she can still look so beautiful. He kisses Juliet, drinks the poison he got from the apothecary, kisses Juliet again, and dies:o true apothecary,thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. Friar Lawrence enters the churchyard. Balthasar tells him that Romeo is in the tomb. Troubled, the friar enters the tomb, where he finds Paris s body and then Romeo s. As the friar takes in the bloody scene, Juliet wakes. Juliet asks the friar where her husband is. Hearing a noise that he believes is the coming of the watch, the friar quickly replies that both Romeo and Paris are dead, and that she must leave with him. Juliet refuses to leave, and the friar, exits without her. Juliet sees Romeo dead beside her, and surmises from the empty vial that he has drunk poison. Hoping she might die by the same poison, Juliet kisses his 12
lips, but to no avail. Hearing the approaching watch, Juliet unsheathes Romeo s dagger and, saying, O happy dagger, / This is thy sheath, stabs herself. She dies. The families arrive at the scene, discover what has happened and decide to end their feud: CAPULET O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter s jointure, for no more Can I demand. MONTAGUE But I can give thee more, For I will raise her statue in pure gold, That whiles Verona by that name is known, There shall no figure at such rate be set As that of true and faithful Juliet. PRINCE For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. 1. Suspense is created by (churchyard, tomb, night-time), will the Friar arrive before Romeo dies? 2. Tension is created by the confrontation between Paris & Romeo. Characters in the play brief outline Juliet a character who changes She changes over the course of the play due to her love for Romeo. At the beginning, she is an obedient and dutiful daughter to her parents: I ll look to like, if looking more, But no more deep will I endart mine eyes Than your consent gives Strength to make it fly Her secret relationship with Romeo is significant it transforms her character. She is independent and disobedient. She will break society s rules by choosing her own lover. Her father shall not make her a willful bride. 13
She transforms into a brave character visits Friar Lawrence, threatens to kill herself if she is forced to marry Paris. She decides to take a potion to trick her family to avoid her marriage to Paris. Tybalt villain of the play Turbulent character & a violent character Opening Scene, Act Three Scene One Fiery character/easily agitated above scenes and Act One Scene Five. 14