How effectively does Shakespeare set up the tragedy in the opening act of the play?

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Louis Franks 10PC 10X2                                                                                                            11/4/02

 

How effectively does Shakespeare set up the tragedy in the opening act of the play?

William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet is constructed in a way that the audience is prepared for the inevitable tragedy that follows, after the opening act of the play.  In the prologue the audience distinguish the feud between the Montague and Capulets.  Later in the act it is certain that Romeo and Juliet will meet at some stage and death for both is looming.  The exposition explains to the audience a vague idea of the play, plot and characters.  There are many key events with prophetic lines, that are meaningful later in the play.

The play begins with an argument which leads to a violent street brawl.  This effectively demonstrates the high degree of tensions between the two families.  There is no explanation for the conflict between the two families, instead there is action .

The audience learns that Romeo is in unrequited love.  We later discover that the woman who does not return his love, is Rosaline.  This shows how genuine and powerful the love is between Romeo and Juliet when they meet later in the play.

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When Romeo is heartbroken by Rosaline, Benvolio urges him to look elsewhere for a woman.  This leads to Romeo gate- crashing Capulets party, where he immediately falls in love with Juliet.  It is a case of love at first sight.

Capulet makes a promise to Paris that if Juliet consents, he will be able to marry her.  Talk between them is very amicable and Capulet treats Paris as a member of the family.  This creates a dilemma for the audience, as they know Juliet will meet Romeo in true, not courtly love soon.  Again this event in the ...

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