In the prologue the ‘Star crossed lovers’ refers to the love shared between a Capulet and a Montague, in this case, Romeo and Juliet. This quotation relates to different themes of the play, in this case love and romance, which is present between Romeo and Juliet as they first, met at the Capulet's ball, this quotation also can be linked to fate and how it was their destiny to be together. Only with the death of both lovers, the feud will be resolved between both households, as neither Capulet nor Montague can separate the lovers and the love that both children share. This also states that love can overcome any obstacles that stand in the way. This can be supported by the quotation, ‘Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife’ and ‘The fearful passage of their death marked love.’
The last two lines of the prologue tell the audience that the play is about a feud between two households and all that is done to mend the strife between them. ‘The which if you with patient ears attend, what here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.’
The opening scene of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ prepares the audience for themes that run throughout the play by using friendship. Friendship is shown through Romeo and Benvolio because they are able to communicate with each other and they know when the other person has a problem ‘tell me in sadness.’
The opening scene of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ prepares the audience for themes that run throughout the play by using love and romance. Love and romance is shown through Romeo’s love for Rosaline, ‘in love’ Romeo talks with Benvolio about Rosaline and how he has intense passion for Rosaline, ‘out of her favour where I am in love.’ This quotation also shows that Romeo wants more possibly marriage, but Rosaline doesn’t.
The opening scene of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ prepares the audience for themes that run throughout the play by using conflict and tension. Conflict and tension is shown through Sampson and Gregory and how Sampson a Capulet believes that he has power over the Montague’s, ‘a dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s’ and Sampson also goes on about Montague women being the weaker sex, and how he can overpower any Montague whether Man or woman, ’…therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montague men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall’. Tybalt picking a fight with Benvolio a Montague also shows conflict and Tension, ‘…as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee coward!’. Conflict and tension is also shown by Lord Capulet and Lord Montague fighting in the streets, ‘my sword I say! Old Montague is come, and flourishes his blade in spite of me’, ‘thou villain Capulet! Hold me not, let me go.’
In ‘Romeo and Juliet’ the audience forms opinions of the characters. Benvolio and Tybalt are two of the most contrasting characters though out the play. Benvolio is always looking to stop fights and to stop trouble, Benvolio is a peacemaker ‘part fools. Put up your swords, you know not what you do’, whereas Tybalt is always looking to start a fight, ‘turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death’ ‘fiery’ from this the audience gathers a hint towards Tybalt’s violent nature and gets a hint towards Tybalt stabbing Mercutio. From the opening scene Benvolio also gives the audience an impression that he is trust worthy ‘speak nephew, were you by when it began?’ Also through out the opening scene Benvolio show compassion when Romeo has a broken heart, ‘what sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?’
Therefore from all that is represented in the prologue and the opening scene the audience forms an idea that the whole story is about love between two enemies in this case the main characters ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which then ends in tragedy. Through out ‘Romeo and Juliet’ love, tension feud tragedy, hate, romance, and friendship is shown.
