Another form of comedy Shakespeare uses is playing around with words, (also known as Puns), as when Romeo and Benvolio are talking in Act 1 and Romeo says “Out of her favour where I am in love.” he is telling Benvolio that he is in love with Resoline. Benvolio says in return “Alas that love, so gentle in his view,” meaning finally it is love at first sight. Then Benvolio says “In proof,” telling Romeo that it is from experience.
Shakespeare also uses insulting words in his plays such as rude gestures. For example, Lady Capulet and Lady Montague tease their husbands in Act 1. Lord Capulet tells Lady Capulet to pass him his sword and Lady Capulet says “Crutch, crutch why call you for a sword.” What Lady Capulet meant that he doesn’t need a sword, that he’ll have a crutch to hit them with instead.
In Act 1 Scene 3 Juliet’s nurse says many stories about when Juliet was young. The nurse is a very friendly and funny character who talks a lot. She tells Juliet a story how when Juliet was young, the nurse’s husband used to say, “Juliet may fall upon the face, thou wilt fall backwards when thou comest to age.” This means that when Juliet is old she will keep on having sex that means falling on her back everyday so often. The nurse talks rude with Juliet as she counts her as her best friend, so she feels free to talk to Juliet about anything and everything. The nurse repents her story three times.
Another way which Shakespeare entertains the audience is by action. The audience know that there will be action because in the prologue it is mentioned “Ancient Grudge against Mutinity.” This means there is a grudge, which turns into a fight.
The audience know that there’ll be a fight on the stage. In Act 1 Scene 1, Sampson tells Gregory “On my word, we’ll not carry coals,” which meant that they will not be insulted. Gregory says, “We should be colliers,” which means they will be dirty and dishonest.
Gregory is a character that gets worked up very quickly. Sampson tells Gregory that he is all big talk, but no actions. Gregory might probably say he’ll beat up any of the Montagues if he sees them, but if any of them show up, he doesn’t do anything.
The audience know that a fight will be started because there are to Capulets talking, and two Montagues step up on stage. Action is about to spark up as Tybalt says, “I hate the word peace, as I hate hell as well as the Montagues.” This line shows that trouble and fights begin everywhere Tybalt turns up.
The plot is one of the ways that Shakespeare uses to entertain the audience. When reading the prologue, people will know straight away that the play is about two families who have a grudge against each other. The audience know that two people will die; who are going to be lovers. They will also know there will be a lot of fights as in the prologue it says, “New mutinity” which means new violence.
Shakespeare’s writing makes people think about what will happen in the following scenes. He wants them to ask questions to themselves. He makes them think whether there’ll be a fight or not? If anyone is going to die? If Benvolio will keep peace or is Tybalt going to fight? Shakespeare wants people to think for themselves. This makes his writing so successful.
Even though in Act 1 Scene 1 the Prince warns the two families not to fight, the audience know that there’ll be a fight, as violence is part of the play. The audience know that the play cannot be completed without violence, as it is the main aspects of entertainment. Therefore, they know trouble will stir between both families and they will disobey the Prince.
Another aspect of the play is Romance. The audience know there will be romance as Romeo and Benvolio discuss love in Act1 Scene 1. Benvolio explains to Romeo that there isn’t such thing as love, and it don’t exist. He tells Romeo to move on and find other beauties in life.
The audience now know there will be a new plot. There is a new girl, who has reached the age to get married, who Paris wants to marry. The audience see Paris talking to Capulet. Capulet tells Paris that if Juliet agrees to marry him, he will be happy for them both.
There are some complications, which occur in Act 1 Scene 2. The Montagues gatecrash in the Capulets ball and there maybe a possibility of a fight starting. Then again, as Resoline is a Capulet, there maybe romance for Romeo. Juliet will be at the ball too as it is taking place in her house.
In Act 1 scene 3, two other characters are introduced. One of them, is Juliet, who plays the main character. She is 14 years of age and single. Juliet’s nurse is also introduced. She is as mother to Juliet as well as her bet mate. The nurse had breast fed Juliet and bought her up since a baby.
Romeo is a confused youth. He thinks he is in love with Resoline. He is always depressed because Resoline does not return her love for him in return. He is Romeo’s best mate and always there for him. He is calm and always listens to Romeo’s problem’s and tries his best to resolve his problems. On the other hand, there is Tybalt, Juliet’s cousins. He is very aggressive and likes to whisk trouble. He is violent and cannot go on without fighting.
Then there is Lady Capulet who worries about her husband, but doesn’t really involve her daughter Juliet in her life. She hardly knows anything about her daughter, not even her age. Juliet’s father Lord Capulet is quite old , but likes to join in fights. He has a bad drinking habit and parties a lot. This summarises how corrupted Juliet’s parents are.
