William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is probably one of the most well known and influential romances ever. Although people may say it is mainly a love story, in actual fact the main theme is probably the hate and conflict between the two warring families the Capulets and the Montagues - whose age old feud is explored throughout the play.
Act 1 Scene 1 begins with two Capulet servants, Sampson and Gregory, strolling through the streets of Verona looking for trouble. They come across Abraham and Balthasar, servants of Montague and Sampson bites his thumb at them. This was held to be an extremely rude gesture in those days. I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them if they bear it. In this part of the scene it is quite obvious that there is a lot of hate and conflict, which in this instance is started by the Capulets.
Benvolio, a Montague arrives as they are fighting and warns them stop Part fools. Put up your swords, you know not what you do. But then Tybalt, of the house of Capulet joins in and fights Benvolio:
Tybalt: Turn thee Benvolio, look upon thy death.
Benvolio: I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me.
Tybalt: What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee coward!
This starts off their fight and is a good example of the nature of Tybalt and Benvolio Tybalt, very ferocious and a short temper, would always rather fight than run, whilst Benvolio only wants peace and the fighting to stop, but he is willing to fight if necessary. Tybalt is a good example of the bitter rivalry between the two families.
An officer and citizens come across the fighting and try to stop it. Clubs, bills and partisans! Strike, beat them down. Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! This demonstrates the peoples views of the feud they hate both families for it.
Lord and Lady Capulet arrive and Lord Capulet immediately calls for his sword but his restrained by his wife.
Capulet: What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
L.Capulet: A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?
That part is quite funny and basically means that Lady Capulet is teasing Lord Capulet about his age he needs a crutch more than a sword.
Lord and Lady Montague arrive too and Lord Montague wants to join in as well but is also restrained by his wife.
Just as the leader of the Montagues attempts to join the fray, the Prince of Verona arrives and quells the riot. He is furious with the two families You men, you beasts He mentions the fact that this is that this is the third civil brawls, bred of an airy word, by thee old Capulet and Montague He orders everyone to lay down their weapons and warns Capulet and Montague that if anyone disturbs the peace again in his city in this way then they will be executed. He tells Capulet to come with him and Montague to come in the afternoon. They all exit, leaving Benvolio, Lord Montague and Lady Montague. This scene has shown the ancient family feud, and how petty their arguments start, but then end up escalating rapidly.
Meanwhile, Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio and their friends make their way to the Capulets party, having mistakenly read an invite addressed to all Capulets. Romeo decides to carry the torch whilst the others dance he feels too heavy-hearted to dance. Give me a torch, I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy, I will bear the light. He complains that love is rough and hurts those who fall in love. Mercutio tells Romeo he should be rougher with love. He calls for his mask so they can go to the party.
Capulet welcomes his guest in the hall and encourages everyone to dance and teases some of the ladies too shy to dance. Will now deny to dance? She that makes that dainty, She Ill swear hath corns. He and an elderly relative sit down and watch the dancers whilst discussing How long now is t now since last yourself and I Were in a mask? To which the relative replies Byr lady, thirty years. Romeo catches sight of Juliet and is stunned by her beauty, immediately forgetting the conflict in his heart for Rosaline. O she doth teach the torches to burn brightBeauty too rich for use, for earth too dearDid my heart love till now? Forswear it sight, For I neer saw true beauty till this night. Unfortunately, Tybalt sees Romeo and instantly recognises him as a Montague, causing what should have been a merry, joyous occasion to once again descend into turmoil and conflict. This by his voice should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. Luckily for Romeo, Lord Capulet holds Tybalt back the two have a small argument.
Tybalt: Ill not endure him.
Capulet: He shall be endured. What Goodman boy, I say he shall; Go to, Am I the master here or you? Go to. Youll not endure him? God shall mend my soul, Youll make a mutiny among my guests? You will set cock-a-hoop, youll be the man?
Tybalt: Why, uncle, tis a shame-
Capulet: Go to, go to, You are a saucy boy. Is t so indeed? This trick may chance to scathe you I know what. You must contrary me? Marry tis timeYou are a princox, go; Be quiet or-For shame! Ill make you quiet.
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