ROMEO AND JULIET Act 1 Scene 2

This scene introduces Paris as Capulet’s pick for Juliet’s husband and also sets into motion Romeo and Juliet’s eventual meeting at the feast. In the process, the scene establishes how Juliet is subject to parental influence. Romeo might be forced into fights because of his father’s enmity with the Capulets, but Juliet is far more constrained.

Act 1 Scene 2 CAPULET But saying o'er what I have said before: But saying o'er what I have said before: My child is yet a stranger in the world; My child is yet a stranger in the world; She hath not seen the change of fourteen years, She hath not seen the change of fourteen years, Let two more summers wither in their pride, Let two more summers wither in their pride, Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.PARIS Younger than she are happy mothers made. Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Act 1 Scene 2 CAPULET And too soon marr'd are those so early made. And too soon marr'd are those so early made. The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she, The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she, She is the hopeful lady of my earth: She is the hopeful lady of my earth: But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, My will to her consent is but a part; My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice An she agree, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice. Lies my consent and fair according voice.

Act 1 Scene 2 Regardless of any inter-family strife, Juliet’s father can force her to marry whomever he wants. Such is the difference between being a man and woman in Verona. Regardless of any inter-family strife, Juliet’s father can force her to marry whomever he wants. Such is the difference between being a man and woman in Verona. It might seem a worse thing to be caught up in the violence of a brawl, but Juliet’s status as a young woman leaves her with no power or choice in any social situation. Like any other female in this culture, she will be passed from the control of one man to another.

Act 1 Scene 2 In this scene, Capulet appears to be a kind- hearted man. He defers to Juliet’s ability to choose for herself (“My will to her consent is but a part” [1.2.15]). But his power to force her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is implicitly present.In this scene, Capulet appears to be a kind- hearted man. He defers to Juliet’s ability to choose for herself (“My will to her consent is but a part” [1.2.15]). But his power to force her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is implicitly present. Thus parental influence in this tragedy becomes a tool of fate: Juliet’s arranged marriage with Paris, and the traditional feud between Capulets and Montagues, will eventually contribute to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The forces that determine their fate are laid in place well before Romeo and Juliet even meet.Thus parental influence in this tragedy becomes a tool of fate: Juliet’s arranged marriage with Paris, and the traditional feud between Capulets and Montagues, will eventually contribute to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The forces that determine their fate are laid in place well before Romeo and Juliet even meet.

Act 1 Scene 2 The specter of parental influence evident in this scene should itself be understood as an aspect of the force wielded over individuals by social structures such as family, religion, and politics. All of these massive social structures will, in time, throw obstacles in the path of Romeo and Juliet’s love.The specter of parental influence evident in this scene should itself be understood as an aspect of the force wielded over individuals by social structures such as family, religion, and politics. All of these massive social structures will, in time, throw obstacles in the path of Romeo and Juliet’s love.

Act 1 Scene 2 Servant Find them out whose names are written here! It is Find them out whose names are written here! It is written, that the shoemaker should meddle with his written, that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher with yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I am his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I am sent to find those persons whose names are here sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learned.--In person hath here writ. I must to the learned.--In good time. good time.

Act 1 Scene 2 Peter, who cannot read, offers a touch of humor to this scene, especially in the way his illiteracy leads him to invite two Montagues to the party while expressly stating that no Montagues are invited. But Peter’s poor education is also part of the entrenched social structures. Juliet has no power because she is a woman. Peter has no power because he is a lowly servant and therefore cannot read.

Act 1 Scene 2 Romeo, of course, is still lovelorn for Rosaline; but the audience can tell at this point that Romeo will meet Juliet at the feast, and expectations begin to rise. Through Shakespeare’s ingenious manipulation of the plot, the audience starts to feel the rustlings of approaching fate.

Act 1 Scene 2 BENVOLIO At this same ancient feast of Capulet's At this same ancient feast of Capulet's Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, With all the admired beauties of Verona: With all the admired beauties of Verona: Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Go thither; and, with unattainted eye, Compare her face with some that I shall show, Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.

Act 1 Scene 2 ROMEO When the devout religion of mine eye When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires; Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires; And these, who often drown'd could never die, And these, who often drown'd could never die, Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun Ne'er saw her match since first the world Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. begun.

Scene Analysis Questions 1. To what extent do you think that Lord Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s youth is not genuine? Explain your response with evidence. 2. Aside from the theme of fate, what other themes do you see present in this scene? 3. “Peter’s role in the scene is dispensable.” How far do you agree with the statement?

Possible Response 1. To what extent do you think that Lord Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s youth is not genuine? Explain your response with evidence. Alternative POV: Alternative POV: He is reluctant to give up Juliet, his only living child. Juliet is Capulet's sole inheritor and responsible for carrying on his bloodline. If she is harmed by marriage (having children too young), Capulet will have no one to continue the family. From his vested interest, we can tell that he is selfish and self-serving. Eventually, displaying the inconsistent mood shifting that he continues throughout the play, he gives Paris permission to attempt to win the consent of Juliet herself since he did not want to lose Paris as a potential son-in-law. He is reluctant to give up Juliet, his only living child. Juliet is Capulet's sole inheritor and responsible for carrying on his bloodline. If she is harmed by marriage (having children too young), Capulet will have no one to continue the family. From his vested interest, we can tell that he is selfish and self-serving. Eventually, displaying the inconsistent mood shifting that he continues throughout the play, he gives Paris permission to attempt to win the consent of Juliet herself since he did not want to lose Paris as a potential son-in-law.

Possible Response 2. Aside from the theme of fate, what other themes do you see present in this scene? Theme of love Theme of love Theme of duality (youth & old age) Theme of duality (youth & old age)

Possible Response 3.“Peter’s role in the scene is dispensable.” How far do you agree with the statement? Peter is not only the messenger to help Capulet invite his guests to the party but also a vehicle of fate to enable Romeo the opportunity to meet Juliet for the first time. Peter is not only the messenger to help Capulet invite his guests to the party but also a vehicle of fate to enable Romeo the opportunity to meet Juliet for the first time. Peter also provides comic relief for the audience in an otherwise sombre scene immediately after the street fight. Peter also provides comic relief for the audience in an otherwise sombre scene immediately after the street fight.