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Breakdown of Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1
Nutshell Summary: - Montague and Capulet servants brawl in the streets - Prince declares the next brawlers will be punished with death Lord and Lady Montague ask Benvolio to try to find out why Romeo is so gloomy lately. - Romeo says he’ll never be happy because Rosaline rejected him - Benvolio bets Romeo that checking out other girls will make him forget Rosaline.
Quotes discussed Prologue: 1) Two households, both alike in dignity, / In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, / From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. 2) A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life 3) ... with their death bury their parents' strife.
Quotes Discussed Act 1 Scene 1: 1) I will be cruel with the / maids, and cut off their heads. 2) What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, / As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: 3) Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, / By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, / Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, 4) O brawling love! O loving hate! 5) Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget.
Themes Discussed: (For more detailed discussion of theme in Romeo and Juliet see https://dai.ly/x80qt0r)
T1) Hero's Quest / Wasteland T4) Love as Healer / Destroyer / Sexual Aggression T5) Sacred Marriage T7) Hot-headed, emotional, arrogant youth T8) Dualism / Dual nature of passion 9) Revenge 10) In-group/out-group theory 11) Fate
Characterization Discussed: (For more detailed discussion of CHARACTER in Romeo and Juliet see https://dai.ly/x80pud8)
C1) Romeo: melodramatic C9) Tybalt: Hot-headed
This video on Shakespeare’s LANGUAGE might also help: https://dai.ly/x80qtdh
All commentary in this series is designed to help students: — Prepare for GCSE, A-Level, IB, and AP evaluation — Prepare for general high school and college quizzes, exams, and essays — Generate ideas for analysis essays — Participate knowledgeably in class discussions
