Romeo and Juliet Act one, scene's 2, 3 & 4.

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Romeo and Juliet

Act one, scene’s 2, 3 & 4

(Act one, scene 2)   

 

     Act one scene 2 begins with a conversation between Capulet and Paris. Paris asks for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Capulet says ‘My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen the change of 14 years.’ He is basically telling Paris that Juliet is too young. He tells Paris ‘Let two more summers wither in their pride, ere we may think her ripe to be a bride’. This shows that Capulet is not unwilling for his daughter to marry Paris. Paris is persistent and tries to win Capulet round by telling him that ‘Mothers younger than Juliet are Happy mothers made’. Capulet told Paris that he would give his consent to Juliet marrying the man she chooses.

     Capulet tells Paris that he is holding a Feast for a large number of guests. He invites Paris and points out that there will be many pretty girls there. Capulet then sends his servant, peter off with a list of guests to invite, but peter cant read..

     Benvolio and Romeo then enter. Romeo is still caught up on ‘Rosaline’ and Benvolio is trying to persuade Romeo otherwise. He says ‘One fire burns out another’s burning, one pain is lessened by another’s anguish.’ This is saying that falling in love with another girl will help him forget his first love. Romeo is against listening to Benvolio’s advice when they bump into peter (Capulet’s servant). Peter asks if they can read. Romeo reads aloud the list of guests and spot’s Rosaline’s name on it. Romeo then asks where the party is held. Peter tells Romeo and tells them to that they should come along for a drink. At this, Benvolio tells Romeo that once he has examined other beauties of Verona, ‘I will make the think thy swan a crow’ (Rosaline will no longer stand out in a crowd) Romeo disagrees strongly with this. He is determined to prove Benvolio wrong so he agrees to attend the feast. He Quoted ‘When the devout religion of mine eye maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires’. Romeo sees his love as a religion. This is saying that when his faith accepts something so false, then may his tears of love turn to fire and burn his eyes.

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    At this point in the play, we are still being built up for the true love of Romeo and Juliet as Romeo is still convinced that he loves Rosaline. Its like Shakespeare almost wants us to believe its true.

(Act one, scene 3)

   In act one scene three, we are introduced to Juliet for the first time. In the beginning of this scene, Lady Capulet tells nurse to call Juliet so she does so. Juliet arrives in the scene and asks her mother why she is called. Lady Capulet tells nurse to leave the room ...

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