Act+1

Miss Daoud's Sample:

ACT 1 Scene 1

**SCENE SUMMARY:** The play begins with two Capulets, Gregory and Sampson, joking about their hatred of the Montagues. As they pass two of the Montagues, they decide to insult them. Just as a brawl breaks out, Benvolio (a Montague) arrives and attempts to stop the fight, but almost immediately Tybalt (a Capulet) enters and insults him, restarting the brawl. The Prince arrives and restores peace. He threatens that anyone who breaks the peace again will be put to death. After the brawl, Montague and Lady Montague ask Benvolio about their son, Romeo. They are concerned about his moody and anti-social behaviour. Benvolio approaches Romeo, who tells him that he is depressed because the girl he is in love with does not love him. Benvolio tries to persuade him to forget about her. **DRAMATISATION-** The characters carry **//props//** with them in this scene. The servants have swords and bucklers (small round shields). The citizens carry clubs, bills and partisans (long handled weapons). **//Costume://** Capulet is dressed in a gown which represents his stature. **//Stage directions://** There are many ‘asides’ between Sampson and Gregory which creates **//comedy//**. The short sentences also create **//pace//** which is an engaging technique to begin the play with as the characters mock one another. **POETIC DEVICES-** In this scene there are some quite rude and sometimes violent **//puns//**. Sampson, for example jokes about cutting off his enemies ‘heads’ or taking their virginity ‘maidenheads’. Another example of vulgar punning relates to Sampson’s ‘naked weapon’ being out. Another language device frequently used by Romeo in this scene is the **//oxymoron.//** Romeo’s confused and emotional state is heightened by his use of contradicting words. **CONTEXT ANALYSIS-** Both Renaissance Italy and Shakespeare’s England were violent societies. Brawls and knife fights were common in the taverns and bars. There are many references to weapons in this scene. **CHARACTER ANALYSIS-** It is clear that **//Romeo//** is in love with being in love. He isolates himself and does not wish to communicate with anyone. **//Benvolio//** demonstrates positive qualities. He is noble when attempting to make peace with Tybalt and practical when advising Romeo about love. Evidently, **//Tybalt//** is recognised as the antagonist, stating his hatred for all Montagues. The **//Prince//** is the authority and has power over both houses regardless of their stature. He defends order like a District Commissioner. **SETTING-** The scene is set in Verona, a public place, early Sunday morning, on the street. **THEMES-** Conflict, love, lust, hate, passion **FILM ADAPTATION-** Sampson and Gregory are given the sub-text, ‘Montague Boys’, in the film and Benvolio rides with them in a convertable car with loud music playing. The men carry guns as opposed to swords. Rather than Romeo being out in the covert of the woods, he finds his solitude at the beach. Montague and Lady Montague share Montague’s dialogue with Benvolio, as they are chauffer driven in a limousine which represents their wealth. **KEY QUOTES-** ‘Oh brawling love! Oh loving hate!’ 168. (Oxymoron) “What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (Theme/ hate) “Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.” (Benvolio’s character quality)