Prologue, Act 1 Scenes 1 - 5

Unlike many plays or stories, we are told what is going to happen throughout the play (plot). It is a story of two families who hate each other Their children fall in love and wind up committing suicide This will end the feud between the two families. What you are not told is the specific details. What are things that you would want to know as a viewer or a reader?

Gregory and Sampson, two members of the house of Capulet, pick a fight with members of the house of Montague. Benvolio (House of Montague) tries to intervene and stop the fight but Tybalt (House of Capulet) continues to fight Prince Escalus (ruler of Verona) threatens death to any Capulet or Montague who continues to fight After leaving the town square, Lord Montague questions Benvolio as to why Romeo is so depressed. Benvolio finds out that Romeo is in love but the girl he loves does not love him. Benvolio vows to help Romeo get out of his depression.

 House of Capulet  Gregory  Sampson  Tybalt  Lord Capulet  House of Montague  Benvolio  Lord Montague  Romeo  Town of Verona  Prince Escalus

L – “No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb sir” – Sampson L – “What, drawn and talk of peace! I hate the word/As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. – Tybalt L – “If ever you disturb our streets again,/Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” – Prince Escalus L – “By giving liberty unto thine eyes;/Examine other beauties” - Benvolio

Pernicious – harmful or destructive Mr. Manning’s comments to the class were quite pernicious. l. 77 “ That quench the fire of you pernicious rage” Adversary – Enemy or opponent Jude was successful wrestling his adversary from Maine West. l. 99 “Here were the servants of your adversary” Augmenting- adding to, or enlarging After taking English with Mr. Manning, James was able to augment his vocabulary. l. 125 “With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew” Portentous – ominous or threatening Mr. Manning glared at Vincent in a portentous fashion. l. 134 “Black and portentous must this humour prove.”

Propagate – reproduce or increase Damaris was able to propagate the volume of the gym with her awesome cheering. l. 184 “Which thou wilt propagate to have it prest” Purg’d – get rid of or expel Chris was able to purge all of the Krupa Loopa monsters when he was playing Mario Bros. l. 188 “Being purged, a fire sparkling in lover’s eyes” Discreet – showing good judgment: perceptive Daniel was discreet in displaying his emotions after receiving the highest grade in the class. l. 190 What is it else? A madness most discreet”

Lord Capulet is confident that there will be no more violent interactions with the House of Montague Paris expresses a desire to marry Lord Capulet’s daughter, Juliet Lord Capulet is reluctant to allow this for the following reasons: Juliet is too young He is worried about her having children She is his only child Capulet tells Paris to come to his house and look at other woman before they discuss marrying Juliet Capulet sends a servant who cannot read to go and hand out invites to party guests Benvolio and Romeo come upon the servant and help him At this point, Benvolio encourages Romeo to go to the Capulet ball and compare the women there to the fair Rosaline (the girl who broke Romeo’s heart) What is the potential problem that may occur? What is ironic about what is happening?

House of Montague Romeo – still depressed Benvolio – convinces Romeo to attend the Capulet Ball House of Capulet Lord Capulet – not looking to start anymore trouble, against Paris marrying Juliet Paris – wants to marry Juliet Servant – sent to invite guests to the party but he cannot read.

l. 2-3 “In penalty alike; and tis not hard, I think,/For men so old as we to keep the peace.” – Capulet l “But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,/My will to her consent is but a part;/And, she agreed, within her scope of choice/Lies my consent and fair according voice.” – Capulet l “Go thither; and with untainted eye/Compare her face with some I will show,/And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.” - Benvolio

NONE!

Lady Capulet comes to see Juliet. The audience is introduced to the Nurse who will provide the audience comic relief throughout the play. Lady Capulet asks Juliet about marriage. The discussion between Lady Capulet, the Nurse, and Juliet is regarding Juliet’s age and her desire to get married. Juliet is asked to give serious consideration to Paris who will be a dinner guest.

House of Capulet Juliet – main character, she is asked to think about marriage Nurse – has raised Juliet and is her confidant Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mother.

l “Marry that “marry” is the very theme/I came to talk of. Tell me, daughter Juliet,/How stands your disposition to be married?” – Lady Capulet l “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

Obscur’d – hid, darkened Mr. Manning closed the blinds so the sun was obscured from the room L. 89 “And what obscur’d in this fair volume lies…”

Benvolio, Romeo, and Mercutio are on their way to the Capulet ball. Romeo is still depressed and does not want to go to the party Mercutio delivers the famous “Queen Mab” speech to Romeo Romeo than tells of his feeling that this party will bring unfortunate events to him.

House of Montague Romeo – still lovesick over his lost love Benvolio – wants to go to the Capulet ball Towns people Mercutio – teasing Romeo about being depressed about being love

l – “I fear, too early; for my mind misgives/Some consequence yet hanging in the stars/Shall bitterly begin his fearful date/With this night’s revels, and expire the term/Of a despised life clos’d in my breast/By some vile forfeit of untimely death.” - Romeo

Deformities – irregularities; disfigurements l. 31 “What curious eye doth quote deformities?” – Mercutio There were a lot of deformities in Mr. Manning’s presentation.

The scene takes place at the Capulet ball. Romeo spots a beautiful girl across the room and immediately falls in love. Tybalt spots Romeo across the room and becomes angry – he feels that Romeo is mocking the Capulets – Lord Capulet, however, stops Tybalt from confronting Romeo Romeo and Juliet dance with each other and fall in love not realizing who each other is. At the end of the scene both Romeo and Juliet are upset when they find out the person they are in love with is from an enemy family.

The attitude of Capulet – he does not seem as angry or confrontational The attitude of Tybalt – he does not like the house of Montague (we also saw this in the first scene) Nobody seems to know what the feud is about Romeo – still thinking about Rosaline? What do you think will happen to Romeo and Juliet now?

Lord Capulet – host of the party, comfortable with the Montague’s being there Romeo – falls in love with Juliet immediately Tybalt- shows great hatred for Romeo Juliet – falls in love with Romeo immediately Benvolio- tells Romeo that Juliet is a Capulet Nurse- tells Juliet that Romeo is Montague

l “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!/ For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” – Romeo l “Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,/A villain that is hither come in spite/To scorn our solemnity this night.” - Tybalt l – Is she a Capulet?/O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” - Romeo l “My only love sprung from my only hate!/Too early seen unknown, and known too late!” – Juliet

Nuptial – wedding; marriage L. 34 “Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio” Mr. Manning stood up for his friend’s nuptials. Disparagement- criticism; censure L. 71 “here in my house do him disparagement” Mr. Manning disparaged the thought of a student not doing his homework. Profane – dishonor; make impure L. 96 “If I profane with my unworthiest hand” Mr. Manning acted profanely after finding out he did not win the lottery. Prodigious – terrible; extraordinary L. 146 “Prodigious birth of love it is to me” It was a prodigious set of circumstances that caused Mr. Manning to lose his wrestling match to Jude.