1. ROMEO & JULIET Act one notes

2. INTRO TION One play in which the theme of love is established is Shakespeare's ‘Romeo & Juliet’. The dramatist expresses and explores this theme by displaying the perspectives of the characters in the play. Set in Verona, a long-standing feud between two prestigious houses, Montague and Capulet get in the way of the love shared by a young Montague boy; Romeo, and a young Capulet girl; Juliet. As their love strengthens the friction increases and they are exiled for their disobedience. The play concludes with the lovers suicides in order to unite both houses.

3. SAMSON & GREGORY Point – the play immediately opens with Samson and Gregory's discussion with regards to their superficial opinions on love. Context – these two young Capulets are conversing prior to the eruption of a clash between the two house holds, at this point Romeo and Juliet are oblivious to each other’s existence, and each have their own agendas. Quote – “and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall.”

4. SAMSON & GREGORY ANALYSIS Analysis – women in the eyes of these Capulets are likened to objects as is suggested by the nature of their language, disposable and insignificant. This cursory perspective is highlighted in order to express the manner associated with the residual and perpetual conflict which plagues both the Montagues and Capulets. As explained in the prologue only the profound love between Romeo an Juliet will be able to remedy this objective point of view in terms of love.

5. ROMEO & ROSALINE Point – soon after we are introduced to Romeo, one of the two eponymous characters in the play. Shakespeare portrays Romeo’s love for Rosaline as blind infatuation so as to create his more emotional attitude to love. Context – in the midst of Romeo’s crisis, Rosaline is mentioned to be celibate. He wallows in his despair and is consoled by his fellow relatives.

6. ROMEO & ROSALINE Quote – “She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow so I live dead that live to tell it now” Analysis – Romeo is plunged into a stereotypical adolescent depression over the chaste Rosaline. His lustful sentiment reveals itself in his tendency to sulk over rejection, his friends find it amusing which is testament to the stark contrast between idealisms.

7. JULIET’S MAW Point - The dramatist further investigates the central theme of love by demonstrating the view of Juliet's mother’s interpretation. Context-Upon the marital arrangements between Juliet and Paris; Juliet expresses her dubiety and her mother insists her love will grant her prestige. Quote-“Here in Verona, ladies of esteem Are made already mothers.”

8. LADY CAPULET Analysis – Lady Capulet is so fixated on the attainment of status that she is unable to see the underlying, more profound associations with love which Juliet seeks. Thus she cannot connect or bond with her daughter because of the discrepancies between their beliefs.

9. NURSE  Point - Furthermore, the nurse has a new angle from which to observe love, she sexualises it in such a way as to attach humour to it.  Context – The nurse who shares relationship with Juliet as a mentor appears multiple times with humorous thoughts on Juliet’s pending marriage.  Quote – “Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age”

10. NURSE  Analysis – There is a contrast between the thoughts on love between she and Lady Capulet, much like a differing conscience for Juliet. The nurse lightens the mood where her mother enforces her devoid and tactical approach to marriage. The nurse acts as symbol for the sexual nature of love throughout the play.

11. ROMEO AND JULIET  Point – The eponymous couple share an interaction which is yet unknown between the two houses, this causes both an exacerbated rift and a union with their deaths.  Context – They first meet at the Capulet masquerade ball. Upon sight of Juliet, Romeo’s infatuation for Rosaline falls utterly short. He and Juliet soon meet and declare their love for each other.  Quote – “Good Pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, which mannerly devotion shows in this”

12. ROMEO AND JULIET  Analysis – Romeo effectively swears himself to Juliet, which brings conflict to his changeable nature, as evidenced by his lust for Rosaline. However the two appear to share a relationship which goes beyond the boundaries of the other characters in the play, perhaps even on destiny’s part which peaks the nature of love in the play.

13. CONCLUSION  Throughout the play Shakespeare perpetually develops or augments his development of the theme of love by exploring the sentiment through the eyes of the primary characters in the play. This investigation undergoes troughs and peaks from characters like Samson and Gregory to the Romeo and Juliet themselves in order to successfully fulfil Shakespeare’s exploration.