How far does Act 1 prepare the audience for the drama to come?

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How far does Act 1 prepare the audience for the drama to come?

        Shakespeare has written a tragedy, hoping to prepare the audience for the events that are to come. This is mainly done in Act One, as he uses this to introduce the main characters (not including Friar Lawrence), and the type of people they are. He also introduces essential themes, like the fighting between the two households, and the important role that love plays. However, even though Shakespeare has prepared the audience for what is to come, he has not said how, and therefore the audience are still in suspense as to why the whole episode occurred.

        The first thing that the audience are presented with is the prologue, or the chorus. This conjures up many thoughts and themes, as it is used to comment on the events of the play. Shakespeare uses a technique called dramatic irony, which means that the audience already know what is going to happen before it actually takes place. Therefore, the dramatic function of the chorus is to inform the audience of the outcome. Many images are presented in this. The first two lines immediately set the scene. The quote “two households” automatically tells the audience that there are two different families involved in the play. It then goes on to say “both alike in dignity”, telling the audience that both families must be quite high standing and worthy. “In fair Verona” in Italy is where the play is set. This is probably because the Italian community were known to be very arrogant, fitting in with the theme of fighting and dignity. Also, if the play was set in England then the English community may have been offended, and therefore the play would not have been as successful as it was. The audience then discover a little more about the play as, they know that is an ongoing feud, or an “ancient grudge” between the two families. The quote “where civil blood makes civil hands unclean” shows the audience that this is not just an insignificant argument that the families have against each other, but they also have many violent fights. In the next two lines the main storyline is revealed. The audience find out that due to the “fatal loins” of the families, some “lovers take their life”. However, as these are “star-crossed lovers”, the audience can see that fate and destiny is another important theme in the play. This theme is also mentioned later on in the prologue, when it says “fearful passage of their death-marked love”, showing that there was always a risk with the lovers being together. The Chorus then goes on to say that the death of the lovers also buried “their parents’ strife”, and “nought could remove” their “parents’ rage”, apart from “their children’s end”. This give the audience a better image of the story line, as they now know that the two lovers must have been the children of the feuding family. Another image shown in the chorus is love, as it is a sonnet written in iambic pentameter, and sonnets are usually related to love themes. The rhyming couplet at the end informs the audience that the play is “two hours’” long, and that if they patiently listen, or if their “patient ears attend”, they will “strive to mend” anything that the audience missed in the chorus. This basically means that by watching the play, they will discover how the whole episode occurred. Overall, the audience are already prepared for the drama to come, as they know what is going to happen. However, Shakespeare has still created a sense of curiosity with the audience, as to how it all came about.

        Act One Scene One immediately introduces the theme of conflict, verbally and physically. The first two characters mentioned are from the house Capulet, and they are joking about the hatred of the Montague’s they have. They talk rudely about the

Montague’s, call them “a dog”, say they will “push Montague’s men from the wall”, and boast about their bravery. They also talk about abusing the women of the Montague house. Quotes that show this are, “thrust maids to the wall” and  “I will be cruel with the maids”. Gregory also says, “they must take it in sense that feel it”, implying that if they approach any Montague’s they plan to have a physical fight, rather than a verbal argument. Coincidentally, some Montague’s arrive, and they start quarrelling. The quote “I will bite my thumb at them” is an ancient Italian insult, showing that a fight can start from a minor insult. Then one breaks out between Sampson from the house of Capulet’s, and Abraham from the house of Montague’s. When Benvolio enters, he tries to stop the two men fighting, giving the audience the first impression that he is a peacemaker- “Part fools. Put up your swords, you know not what you do”. His name also translates to mean ‘good will’.  Tybalt then enters, giving the audience an impression that Tybalt is a very violent and moody character, as he declares he will kill Benvolio- “Turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death”. He also has a very brave approach, as he says to Benvolio “I hate the word...all Montagues”. This illustrates the contrast between the two characters, Benvolio and Tybalt. Then Benvolio ends up fighting with Tybalt, which breaks out into a huge feud between the Capulet’s and Montague’s. This whole episode prepares the audience for the way that the men act first, and think later. There was no real cause for the fight, demonstrating to the audience that one can break out at any time and moment. It also prepares the audience for the following events, as they will involve violence and tragic scenes. When the officers arrive to stop the brawl, so do the Lords and Lady’s of each house.  Both men are prepared to join in the fight, as Lord Capulet says, “Give me my long sword” and Lord Montague says, “Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not, let me go”. However, both of the wives try and restrain their husbands from attacking each other. Lady Capulet says, “Why call you for a sword?” trying to tell her husband not cause anymore trouble, and Lady Montague says, “Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek foe”, ordering her husband not to fight. From this the audience can see that both men are quite violent, but do listen to their wives. This prepares the audience for the responses of the fathers in the upcoming drama. Prince Escalus arrives and ends the brawl- “Throw your weapons to the ground”. He then tells them “the sentence of your moved Prince”, meaning that they will have to pay a price for the outbreak of violence that just occurred. The audience can see that prince Escalus is furious, as he firstly compares them to beasts- “You men, you beasts”- and then reminds them of the “three civil brawls” that have “thrice disturbed the quiet” of Verona. This shows that he is angry because Verona is getting a violent reputation, so he then says that if either family “disturb our streets again”, they will be sent to death- “Your lives shall pay for the forfeit of peace”. However, the audience can already predict that the peace will be broken later on, which prepares them for more violent and tragic behaviour.

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        After the speech from the Prince has ended, all that is left on stage is Lord and Lady Montague, and Benvolio. Romeo is first mentioned here, as his mother, lady Capulet, says, “O where is Romeo?” as both of his parents are worried about his recent behaviour. Benvolio then replies that he saw Romeo walking “underneath the grove of sycamore”. The word ‘sycamore’ may also be used as a pun for ‘sick amour’, meaning that Romeo is having love problems. Benvolio also gives the audience the impression that Romeo is upset about something, as he was “not pursuing” his humour, ...

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