“What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!”
Lord Capulet wants to join in with the fight.
“A crutch a crutch! Why call for a sword?”
Lady Capulet is saying she doesn’t want him to join in, she wants to leave it to the younger men. Lord Montague enters and is not very happy.
“Thou villain Capulet!- Hold me not, let me go.”
Now lord Montague wants to join in, because the fight will just escalate. These characters seem very violent towards one another, there is a very big grudge between these two families and this could extend into a big disaster.
“Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.”
Both lords want to fight, but their wives are telling them not to get involved. The fighting does escalate.
The prince and the authorities then hear about the fight, which is completely out of control, and they try to sort things out.
“Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbour- stained steel- will they not hear? What ho! You men, you beasts.”
The prince is saying stop it make the peace.
“Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets, and made Verona’s ancient citizens.”
The prince is now saying or you will be sentenced to death. The feud between these families must have a great impact on the whole town of Verona.
Shakespeare takes the audience attention to Lord and Lady Montague, they are relived that Romeo is not involved with this and ask Benvolio to find out why he has been so miserable. There is a change of mood in this part of the play; it goes from the huge fight to Benvolio listening to Romeo gabbling on talking about love and poems. Romeo seems to be a very sensitive person, and has lots of feelings towards love, and is also very romantic. In this sequence, Benvolio is trying to work out what Romeo is talking about. Romeo at this point is saying that he is in love with a girl called Rosaline, and he is telling Benvolio that she does not love him in return.
“A right good markman, and she’ fair I love?”
Benvoilio is saying that Romeo should stop being such a wimp and start getting involved with other things apart from love and poetry.
“Be ruled by me: forget to think of her.”
Benvolio is also saying Romeo should move on from Rosaline and look at other girls.
“Examine other beauties.”
Romeo rejects what Benvolio is saying and then is taken back by what he has suggested.
Shakespeare has planted in his play from this scene that the audience know that the Capulet’s and Montague’s are feuding families and also that Benvolio tries to make peace, but doesn’t succeed so the prince Escalus threatens them. Also we have learnt that Romeo is a very sensitive, romantic and passionate character.
Act 1 sc 2- This next scene now goes on to talk about how Shakespeare takes you through the Capulet household. Paris, who is a noble man, goes to speak to Lord Capulet because he wants to marry his daughter Juliet.
“But now, my lord what say you to my suit?”
Paris wants to start courting with her. Lord Capulet isn’t sure about it though.
“She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.”
He’s saying that she is only fourteen and that’s quite young to get close to a man. He doesn’t really agree. Paris is the Capulet’s extended family.
“Younger than see are happy mothers made!”
Paris is saying its common practice for people Juliet’s age to get married, and even become mothers. Lord Capulet still isn’t sure; he doesn’t want Juliet to wreck her life.
“Earth hath swalled all my hopes but she.”
He is saying she is his only child; he has great expectations of her, she is the heiress to the family.
Shakespeare is telling the audience that Lord Capulet has had children, but lost them, Juliet is the only one left and they expect well from her, and she means everything to them, so they don’t want to rush her into anything. This is a very significant piece of evidence for later in the play, because lord Capulet dramatically changes his mind.
“This night I hold an old- accustomed feast.”
Lord Capulet is inviting Paris to a party at their house tonight. He has now changed his mind and is letting Paris to get to know Juliet. They now may marry if Juliet agrees.
This scene now goes on to give the audience evidence to how Romeo and Benvolio end up going to the Capulet’s masked ball. One of the Capulet’s servants has been asked to go and give out invitations to the Capulet’s guests.
“Find them out whose names are written here!”
The only problem is that the servant can’t read, so he doesn’t know whose invitation in whose. Coincidentally Benvoilio and Romeo are around and the servant asks them to give him a hand.
“God gi’ god-den. I pay, sir, can you read?”
Benvoilio and Romeo decide to help the servant; they look at the guest list and see that Rosaline’s name is on it. Romeo thinks Rosaline is his one true love, but she isn’t interested in him. The chance of them meeting with the servant presents Benvoilo with the opportunity to urge Romeo to forget Rosaline by comparing her with other girls.
“All the admired beauties of Verona.”
Romeo’s devotion to Rosaline is so desperate he tells Benvoilio he wants to go to the ball so he can try and talk to Rosaline. He tells Benvolio they should take Mercutio with them as well who is kinsman to the prince and also a friend to Romeo.
“Mercutio and his brother valentine.”
So they all decide to go, Romeo reckons this will be his best opportunity to get to know Rosaline and doesn’t want to miss out on it. They will be wearing masks at the party so nobody will no that they are Montague’s. everything should go to plan.
“I’ll go along, no such sight to be shown, but to rejoice in splendour of mine own.”
Act 1 sc 3- Shakespeare takes this scene to go on to tell the audience how the key character Juliet reacts to finding out that Paris wants to marry her. Lady Capulet talks to her about the proposal. She also is far more keen on her daughter getting married than her husband is, as she was married at Juliet’s age.
“I was your mother much upon these years.”
Juliet’s nurse goes on to tell us about how she knows Juliet is nearly fourteen years of age. The nurse gives a longwinded explanation.
“Even or odd, of all days in the year, comes lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen. Susan and she- God rest all Christian’s souls- were of an age. Well Susan is with god, she was to good for me.”
The nurse is talking about her daughter Susan who died. She had looked after Juliet since she was born and she also looked after her daughter Susan at that point too. The nurse treats Juliet like her daughter and her best friend. Juliet is very close to her nurse and would trust her with her life. Lady Capulet is rather impatient with the nurse because she wishes to impress upon her daughter that Paris’s offer is a very attractive one.
“How stands your dispositions to be married?”
Lady Capulet is asking Juliet if she would like to be married.”
“It is an honour that I dream not of.”
Lady Capulet tells Juliet that Paris is going to be at their feast tonight and she expects her to take notice of him. The nurse is also very excited about his proposal.
“I’ll look to like, if looking liking move, but no more deep will I endart mine eye than your consent gives strength to make it fly.”
Juliet is saying that when she looks at him she will really try to like him, but she wont do anything else until she gets her parents consent. Juliet is a very innocent girl. This piece of information is significant for later on in the play. This scene is really an introduction to our main Heroine. This scene ends with Juliet excited at the prospect of the evening ahead and her mother satisfied that her daughter will soon be married to a wealthy man.
Act 1 sc 4- Shakespeare starts this scene with the young Montague men ( Mercutio, Benvolio and Romeo ) walking to the Capulet’s masked ball. Romeo is anxious about how they will get inside the party.
“What shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology?”
This is evidence of Romeos sensitivity. Mercutio keeps mocking Romeo because he’s so worried.
“You are a lover: borrow cupid’s wings, and soar with them above a common bound.”
Trying to take Romeo’s mind of it, they start discussing the style of the party and that they are all masked so nobody will realise that they are Montague’s.
“ O then I see queen mob hath been with you.”
This is Mercutio’s speech, he is trying to persuade Romeo to enter into the fun of the evening. Romeo remains anxious and eventually tells them that he feels something terrible may happen tonight.
“I fear, too early, for my mind misgives, some consequences, yet hanging in the stars.”
Romeo feels that something awful is about to over take him. This is what Shakespeare meant by “Star crossed lovers.” This is an attitude to fate. At the end of this scene Romeo thinks something awful but suppositious is going to take place. Shakespeare has achieved that there are going to be tragic consequences.
Act 1 sc 5- This scene opens with a brief opening to the servants organising what has to be done for the big social function. This shows the wealth of the Capulet’s, because they have servants and can afford this big party.
“You are looked for and called for, asked for and sought for, in the great chamber.”
It now goes on to the guests entering the party. Lord Capulet is there greeting everybody. He’s mingling in with all the guests, thinks he’s been funny, he is showing his hospitality. When he was younger he would have been a charmer.
“That I love worn a visor and could tell, a whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear, such as would please, tis gone, tis gone, tis gone.”
Shakespeare is pretty much saying he used to whisper sweet nothings into lady’s ears. Lord Capulet is the host of the evening and he is sharing memories. Shakespeare is trying to make this clear to the audience that as soon as Romeo, Benvolio and Mercuito get into the party, Romeo’s eyes are caught on Juliet, he’s completely and utterly devoted to her, even thought he’s only just set eyes on her.
“O, see doth teach the torches to burn bright, it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night.”
This is really strange because Romeo has just said that he couldn’t love anybody else but Rosaline.
“What lady’s that wish doth enrich the hand of yonder knight.”
The first thing he sees in her is visual. Romeo doesn’t no who she is, so he asks one of the servants.
“I know not, sir.”
The servant doesn’t no who she is either which is a bit of a coincident. Romeo is so shocked by Juliet he really wants to find out who she is.
“Did my heart not love till now?”
Romeo completely forgets about Rosaline. Tybalt overhears Romeo and identifies him as a Montague.
“This, by his voice, should be a Montague, fetch me my rapier bag.”
Tybalt is really angry that Romeo is at the party, but he doesn’t not that Benvolio and Mercutio are in there too. Enraged by a Montague gatecrasher he sends for his sword. Tybalt tells his uncle that there is a Montague at his party.
“Uncle, this is a Montague, out foe.”
Lord Capulet is okay with him being there because his reputation is good around the town.
“And to say truth, Verona brags of him.”
Lord Capulet is defending Romeo. He is telling Tybalt that it is not up to him what happens at this party.
“You are a sauce boy. It’s so indeed?”
he tells Tybalt to behave and leave it alone, but Tybalt wont back down, his uncle is furious. Tybalt says his last two lines for this scene.
“I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.”
Tybalt leaves, but promises future trouble. This is significant because he does come back later on in the play, but dies.
Romeo and Juliet meet and have a conversation for the first time.
“To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”
Juliet is flattered, but her answer is very sophisticated.
“Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand to touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers kiss.”
It is love at first sight, and after they talk for a bit longer they share a sonnet kiss. The nurse sees what is happening and comes along and interrupts, she says her mother wants her. It is good for Juliet that it was the nurse that saw her kissing Romeo because she knows she can trust the nurse.
“Madam your mother graves a word with you.”
Juliet leaves Romeo and goes to her mother, Romeo asks the nurse who her mother is.
“What is her mother?”
“Her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, and a wise and virtuous, I nursed her daughter that you talked withal: I tell you, he that can lay hold of her shall have the clinks.”
The nurse tells Romeo she is the daughter of the household and whoever marries her will have lots of money and a good future ahead of them.
“My life is at foe’s debt.”
Romeo has now forgotten his love for Rosaline and has fallen head over heels in love with Juliet, but she is a Capulet, he can’t fall in love with her.
Benvolio then enters when the right gets later.
“Away, be gone, the sport is at its best.”
He is saying come on lets go it is getting to much here.
“Ay, so I fear the more is my unrest.”
Romeo is feeling unsettled and uncertain because he knows now that he has fallen in love with Juliet who is a Capulet.
“Nay gentlemen, prepare not to be gone, we have a triffing foolish banquet towards.”
Shakespeare builds tension by Juliet wanting to no the name of her new love. Tiberio? Percutio?
“Go ask his name. if he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed.”
This is a dramatic function, a premonition of the tragedy. She’s saying she would rather die than not have him. She has asked the nurse to find out his name.
“His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy.
Juliet is muttering under her breath.
“My only love has sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown too later prodigious birth of love it’s to me, that I must love a loathed enemy.”
The nurse asks what she is saying.
“A rythmen I learned even now of one I danced withal.”
Juliet is lying to the nurse she is saying it’s a rhyme she learnt to do with love and hate.
“Anon Anon, come, lets away, the strangers all are gone.”
The audience’s reaction here is why hasn’t Juliet told the nurse the truth if she can trust her.
In this play Romeo and Juliet there are consequences in it. For example the nurse found out about Juliet and Romeo, but kept this a secret from Juliet’s parents, but then betrays her by telling them, is that protection in the end? Also Juliet told her father in Act 1 Scene 3 that she will obey her father about Paris and do whatever they tell her to do. Juliet then disobeys her father by kissing Romeo. That’s quite extreme. Tybalt told Romeo to get out of the Capulet’s party in Act 1 Scene 5, he was really angry and said he would come back to hurt him.
“I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.” But then later on in the play, Romeo kills Tybalt, so it was the other way round, Romeo killed Tybalt instead of Tybalt killing Romeo, Shakespeare has probably done this because Romeo couldn’t die in the middle of the play because he’s our hero. Then at the end of the play where Romeo and Juliet both die, it is a coincident that Juliet takes a drug to make her go to sleep, then Romeo finds her and thinks she is dead so he then take a drug which kills him, but as soon as that happens Juliet wakes up and sees Romeo dying, so she stabs herself so they both die as “Star crossed lovers,” this is very dramatic. Shakespeare has made this play very extreme and quite unreal, but that was obviously his plan.
Throughout my research I have realised while Act 1 Scene 5 is so significant you also have to take into account that Shakespeare has taken you through all of Act 1, however I would agree that he very cleverly gives you clues to understand why Act 1 Scene 5 is so important.
