When the fighting breaks out the citizens become involved with the fighting, we immediately become aware that they are with the feuding between the two families as they shout. ‘Down with the Capulet’s, down with the Montague’s.’ Thus suggesting they are sick of the conflict between the two families as it is having a bad name on the city.
Capulet and Lady Capulet then enter the scene Capulet immediately asks for his sword as he sees Montague coming as he says. ‘My sword I say.’ ‘Old Montague is come
And flourishes his blade in spite of me.’
Old Montague and Lady Montague then enter the scene; Montague is also willing to fight but his wife tries to reprimand him by saying. ‘Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.’ Lady Capulet also tries to diffuse the situation by saying.
‘A crutch, a crutch, why call you for a sword.’ In this she mocks Capulet as she says ‘a crutch’ which means he is very old. Overall we are stunned that even though they have a high rank in society they are still willing to fight.
When the Prince enters the scene he is infuriated about the situation on the street at this point the fray has got out of control and is now a public riot and things are now very tense within Verona.
The style in which the Prince speaks is formal and poetic; he shows his authority by speaking in a ceremonious way. On line 79 he uses a euphemism to convey his outrage, about the destruction the feud has caused by saying.
‘That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins.’ The word ‘fire’ suggests the intensity of their anger and the word ‘pernicious’ indicates how destructive the feud is. The metaphor ‘purple fountains’ is the euphemism used for the widespread bloodshed caused by by the on-going fighting. Also the colour ‘purple’ is often associated with royalty, thus perhaps suggesting he is hinting at the high class and importance of the families and reminding them they should behave in a dignified manner.
The Prince also comments on what the continuous feuding has caused in Verona and the effect it has on the city and its inhabitants by saying.
Have thriced disturbed the quiet of our streets.’ The word ‘quiet’ suggests peace in Verona and perhaps giving Verona a bad name.
The Prince also comments on the weapons used in the riot by using the word ‘mis-tempered.’ With this comment he tries to shame the rioters suggesting they are using the weapons for the wrong reason. The Prince also says ‘Cankered with peace, to part your cankered hate.’ The word ‘cankered’ is repeated here to show the destructive power of their enmity, suggesting that they are ravaged by it.
The Prince also threatens the mob by saying. ‘If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.’ By saying this he wants to threaten the mob, he also says ‘forfeit’ which means they will be executed. He also tells Lord Capulet to come with him and for Montague to go later to his courthouse. Suggesting they will be executed for disturbing the peace. ‘Once more on the pain of death all men depart.’ Thus reinforcing my earlier statement that if ever they disturb the peace they shall be punished with death.
When the next part of the scene begins we see the mood change dramatically. This part tells us of Romeo whom of late has been secretive. The two contrasting parts of the scene are a metaphor for the plays main themes of love and hate.
This part of the play begins with Lord and Lady Montague and Benvolio, discussing the brawl and what had just occurred, Montague asks Benvolio. ‘Nephew were you by when it began?’ Benvolio tells Montague what happened and that Tybalt caused the fight.
‘The fiery Tybalt with his sword prepared.’ The word ‘fiery’ suggests he is hot-headed through this we also become aware of Benvolio’s dislike for Tybalt.
Lady Montague asks where Romeo is. She seems concerned about her son Romeo who seems to be depressed, we know she is concerned as she says. ‘O where is Romeo.’ The word ‘O’ portrays her concern and distress.
Benvolio tells us that he was out walking in the morning and he saw Romeo out walking as well. Benvolio tells us at the start of the passage.
‘An hour before the worshipped.’ Here Benvolio uses a poetic description to tell us that Romeo was up at dawn. He goes on to tell us that Romeo has a troubled mind and walked away by saying.
‘Peered forth the golden window of the east
A troubled mind drove me to walk abroad.’ The phrase ‘troubled mind’ suggests there is something bothering him, and the word ‘abroad’ means outside, thus reinforcing that Benvolio walked away from Romeo. This is reinforced when Benvolio says. ‘I, measuring his affections by my own.’ This means that he sensed Romeo was not in a good mood. The way in which Benvolio speaks is remarkably formal.
Montague then goes on to tell us that he has experienced the same as Benvolio from Romeo. He starts by telling us that Romeo is upset and was clearly crying by saying. ‘With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew.’ The word ‘augmenting’ means adding to. Another poetic image is used which is building up to the introduction of Romeo as a romantic figure, we become aware of this as he says.
‘But all so soon as the all-cheering sun
Should in the farthest east begin to draw
The shady curtains from Auroras bed.’
‘Aurora’ here is the Greek Goddess of the dawn. Montague is concerned about his sons state of mind know one seems to know the reason for it. The phrase ‘heavy son’ means Romeo is heavy hearted.
‘Shuts up his windows and locks fair daylight out and makes himself an artificial light.’ Thus reinforcing my earlier statement that Montague is concerned for Romeo’s state of mind, the phrase tells us that his son wants to remain in darkness.
We also know that Montague has tried many times to find out what his wrong with Romeo but all were unsuccessful.
‘His own affections’ counsellor is to himself.’ This quote tells us that Romeo is being private and secretive and he keeps to himself. In lines 146-148 Montague uses another poetic image to describe Romeo’s depressive mood as it says.
‘As is the bud bit with an envious worm
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun.’ This quote tells us that his depressed mood is ruining his youth, the word ‘envious’ means poisonous. Montague then uses rhyming couplets such as ‘grow’ ‘know’ and ‘stay away.’
Romeo then enters the scene; Lord and Lady Montague leave the scene. Benvolio and Romeo then begin to talk, Benvolio wants to find out what is bothering Romeo. Romeo speaks in an abrupt manner which clearly suggests to us that he does not want to talk.
‘Out of her favour were I am in love.’ This tells us why Romeo is sad and that he is lovesick, thus we know that he loves Rosaline but she does not love him back.
Benvolio states that love can be wonderful but yet so cruel, Romeo talks briefly about the feud that had just took place. However Romeo then begins to talk in riddles, as he uses phrases such as.
‘O brawling love. O loving hale’ ‘teacher of lead, bright smoke, cold fire sick health.’ Each phrase here is antagonistic of each other; this then makes it evident to us that he has a confused state of mind this is what Montague had been worrying about.
‘Being purged, a fire sparkling lovers’ eyes
Being vexed a sea nourished with lovers’ tears.’
This syntax conveys Romeos state of mind, the image of the sea here is an example of exaggeration used in order to convey the extent of his anguish. The phrase, ‘a sea nourished with lovers’ tears in literary terms is known as hyperbole. All of Romeos conversation is about love, both about how wonderful it can be and the heartache it can cause.
‘I do love a woman.’ Benvolio is surprised by this statement. Through the words. ‘Ill’ ‘groan’ and ‘sick.’ Here again Romeo exaggerates of his torment, this then gets across to us how he feels for Rosaline.
Romeo and Benvolio then go on to talk about the image of archery, this is significant as Cupid is the Roman God of love, who has a bow an arrow which he uses to make people fall in love. Cupid is traditionally blind-folded to show that know one will know when they fall in love.
Romeo comments again on his love, Rosaline, but we are surprised to see that he has included conflict with this by saying.
‘She will not stay the siege of love and hate.’ Although at first seems inappropriate for this part of the play but it is actually appropriate as the play is based on the themes of love and hate as in the end the two young lovers Romeo and Juliet die as a result if the feud.
‘That when she dies, with beauty dies her store.
In this quote Romeo thinks that without his love she would die alone and childless. Romeo uses words like. ‘Severity and posterity.’ To reinforce that because of her strictness she will die alone and childless. At this part of the play Romeo closes by saying. ‘Do I live dead, that I live to tell it now.’ By saying this he feels dead inside. Benvolio suggests forgetting about her but Romeo expresses that he wants Benvolio to teach him how to forget. Through all of this we can see Romeo is a very romantic character but is lovesick, he is only concerned about his love for Rosaline and is not interested in the feud this is typical of his character throughout the play.
Benvolio then suggests looking at other girls but Romeo replies. ‘To call hers, exquisite in question more.’ He means that she will stand out even more when compared to other girls. ‘The precious treasure of his eyesight lost.’ Through this it becomes clear to us of the beauty of precious objects in the play. Benvolio then declares that he will prove Romeo wrong. At this point Romeo has not met Juliet however he is about to soon when he and his friends attend a party at the Capulet mansion later that night.
Overall the way in which Romeo speaks when he describes his feeling for Rosaline was typical of the way lovers were presented in the Elizabethan poetry and plays. The way he comes withdrawn, praise of his lady, his exaggerated statements and his absolute devotion to her, these descriptions were influenced by the medieval poet Petrarch, who wrote in Italian and he lived in the 1400’s.
