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#Post#: 7--------------------------------------------------
Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Dietrech Date: October 2, 2013, 11:10 am
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[font=comic sans ms]Act 1, Scene 1
-In the beginning Prologue is given (prologue gives information
about a past happening in a story). The Prologue is given by the
Chorus - a single character who functions as a narrator offering
commentary on the play's plot and themes.
-Servants of the two rich families (Capulets and Montagues)
fight with each other.
-We see the hero of the play - Romeo, who is complaining to his
friend Benvolio of his lady Rosaline's hardheartedness.
Act 1, Scene 2
-The scene introduces Paris as a suitor to Juliet, Lord
Capulet's choice as an ideal husband for her.
-The scene sets into motion the meeting of Romeo and Juliet.
-The scene shows how Juliet is subjected to parental
influence/control, this throws a light on the society of
Elizabethan Era and shows a difference of being a man and a
woman in Verona.
-It also shows us that young men and women had no power in any
social situation.
Act 1, Scene 3
-Nurse's speech covers Juliet's entire life, as the nurse's own
daughter died young, so all her love and affection shifted to
Juliet (who will also die as we progress.)
-In this scene the second part of the title/drama is introduced.
-Thematically, this scene can also be linked with the issue of
parental influence, particularly over girls. Lady Capulet puts
pressure on Juliet to think about Paris as a husband.
-There is a comic relief in the nurse's anecdote about Juliet
showing that Juliet has been viewed as an object of marriage
since she was a child.
-This scene also provides us with a magnificent insight into the
female characters. There is also a glimpse of strength and
intelligence in Juliet's character, although she seems to be a
very obedient girl.
-Juliet;s strength shows passive resistance to her parents'
orders.
Act 1, Scene 4
-Capulet, father of Juliet, interviews Paris, a suitor to his
daughter Juliet, and invites Paris to a feast.
-Romeo gets to know that his lover Rosaline is attending the
same feast,
-Romeo disguises himself as a masquer.
-He is identified as a person belonging to the Montagues.
-During the feast Romeo gets a glance of Juliet and falls in
love with her, they then meet each other and also discover that
they are from rival families.
-We know that fate, destiny, love and conflict are the main
themes of the play.
-This scene increases the general sense of fate and destiny
through Romeo's speech about his untimely death. (He indirectly
tells us this.)
-This scene also introduces Mercutio as a clever, fiery, wild,
volatile and impulsive person. He stands in contrast to the
characters of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio is the close friend of
Romeo.
-Queen Mab's description (a character in ancient Celtic
mythology) stands for a dark version of humanity. Queen Mab's
dreams are suited to each individual, but each dream she brings
seems to descent into deeper brutality. She is a symbol of
prostitution.
-In this scene we have a very lengthy and humorous description
of Queen Mab, who is a fairy that makes stuff for dreams.
Themes: is a fundamental universal idea (revolving around some
aspect/s of human nature)
-Love
-Hatred
-Time
-Fate/destiny
-Death
-Individual vs. Society
Group work: Importance of 1st scene
-It captures audience's attention by the fight.
-Gives us background information on the play.
-It reveals one aspect of the society of people in Verona - as
quarrelsome.
-It introduces the main character (male) Romeo.
-We get to know of Benvolio - a character who is thoughtful and
fearful of the law. He is Romeo's best friend and a peacemaker.
-Shakespeare introduces a contrast in the character of hot
headed Tybalt and Benvolio.
-Through these characters we see (the theme of) hatred.
The servants are proud of their masters.
Rosaline's character is brought out through Romeo's speech.
-We are introduced to the Prince, who is tired of his fighting
subjects (Capulets and Montagues).
Aim of prologue
-Gives background information on the story.
-Setting of the play - Verona, Italy.
Tells the audience whats going to happen.
-Refers to one of the important themes in drama inevitability of
fate and destiny.
-Recited by chorus (a narrator) who explains the setting and
events of the day.
-Also introduces main theme of drama - hatred.
-Reveals theme of love.
-Prologue helps us to understand the feud.
Importance of chorus
-Chorus is not a character, but a narrator who helps the
audience follow the events of the play.
-Themes - individual vs. society - Romeo and Juliet.
-Theme of hatred between two rival and rich families - the
Capulets and the Montagues.
-Contributes to theme of time - grudge was ancient now it has
broken into new mutiny.
-Chorus foreshadows events example: death of Romeo and Juliet,
bringing out fate and destiny.
Analysis
Benvolio - 'I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword or manage
it to part these men with me.' - this shows us that Benvolio is
a peace-loving person. Shakespeare introduces a contrast in the
characters of Benvolio and Tybalt 'I hate the word' shows us
Tybalt's fiery reaction to peace and is the exact opposite of
Benvolio - contrast in characters.
-Although Benvolio is a member of one of the fighting families,
he wants to promote peace amongst the fighting servants.
-'Sad hours seem long' - Romeo is sad and heart broken, Romeo is
a sensitive person and time goes by slowly for him.
-'Out of her favour, where I am in love.' - this shows us
readers how Romeo loved a person who didn't love him.
-'Alas that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous
and rough in proof!' - this shows us Benvolio is a caring friend
who uses wise words to try to tell Romeo that love seems fun and
exciting but is not so fun in reality, instead it is harsh and
rough.
-Shakespeare uses oxymorons to show how difficult it is to
explain one aspect of human nature - love, no single definition
can do it (Line 165-).
-Romeo is very emotional and dramatic in his speech.
-Romeo links love to sadness 'Love is a smoke raised with the
fume of sighs.' His speech is one big metaphor, this shows us
the writer's craft.
-Romeo's point of view on love is becoming negative, he is
saying only sadness will come out of love.
Homework
Q) How has the theme of conflict been exposed in Act 1, Scene 1?
-Theme of conflict first seen through the servants (we come to
know that the feud is not only between the masters, but also
dwells amongst the servants.)
-Theme of conflict is also exposed through the character of
Tybalt, who seems to be very aggressive and eager to fight.
-Theme of conflict is also exposed through the contrast between
Tybalt and Benvolio's behavior.
-Theme of conflict gets further exposed as the main families,
which are the cause of the conflict, enter the scene (Capulets
and Montagues.)
-Theme of conflict is also exposed through the main character of
the play - Romeo. However Romeo's conflict differs from everyone
else, as his conflict is about love not enmity.
-In this way both kinds of conflicts have been shown by the
playwright (physical and mental)
So using this notes, do your answer, I will post mine later on
as I don't want it to be copied down, at least not yet :P
Analysing an unseen poem
Step 1 - Read the poem twice (skimming)
Step 2 - Find the central idea (themes) working in the poem
Step 3 - Comment on the feeling and thought of
characters/persona by linking it with the theme of the poem
Step 4 - Use of poetic devices and their link with the theme(s)
of the poem
Step 5 - Comment on the structure of the poem
Note: You have to comment on:
1. Voice (1[sup]st[/sup]/2[sup]nd[/sup]/3[sup]rd[/sup] person,
Omniscient)
2. Structure
3. Rhyme and Rhythm[/font]
#Post#: 36--------------------------------------------------
Re: Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Cloracrump Date: April 20, 2015, 10:50 pm
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That's just what i was thinking.
#Post#: 41--------------------------------------------------
Re: Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Kiareyut Date: April 28, 2015, 2:57 am
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He has the expertise to work every day.
#Post#: 52--------------------------------------------------
Re: Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Batayokisi Date: May 26, 2015, 4:07 am
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Recycled on a daily basis now
#Post#: 66--------------------------------------------------
Re: Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Gherlord Date: January 20, 2016, 1:40 am
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I'm glad to be a part of the web, my dear.
#Post#: 73--------------------------------------------------
Re: Literature highlights of Act 1, Scenes 1-4 plus more
By: Mowichanee Date: December 11, 2017, 4:19 am
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The content I have read is very good. Read the new knowledge is
very good.
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