Act 1

• Scene 1

  A fight breaks out between Montague and Capulet servants and the Prince interferes

  Benvolio questions Romeo about his depression at his parents' request - he reveals his love for Rosaline
• Scene 2

  Capulet tells Paris he can meet Juliet at the party but must wait 2 years for marriage

  Romeo and Benvolio hear about the party from an illiterate servant who asks for help
• Scene 3

  Lady Capulet tells Juliet and the Nurse about Paris and the possibility of marriage
• Scene 4

  Benvolio and Mercutio persuade Romeo to join them at the party
• Scene 5

  Romeo meets Juliet - love at first sight

  Tybalt wants to start a fight but is restrained by Capulet

  Juliet questions the Nurse about who Romeo is
• "I'll not endure him"


  Tybalt, scene 5, when he sees Romeo at the party

  Reminds audience that there will always be something in the way between Romeo and Juliet

  Violent tendencies of Tybalt
• "Read o’er the volume of young Paris’ face,, and find delight writ there with beauty’s pen."


  Lady Capulet, scene 3, telling Juliet to fall in love with Paris

  Saying how beautiful he is, somewhat telling her to force feelings - transactional marriage
• "Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?"


  Abram (Montague servant), scene 1, challenging Capulet servants

  Gesture of defiance/insult, looking for a fight but want to avoid starting it
• "If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the

  peace."


  Prince, scene 1, stopping the Capulet and Montague fight

  He will kill them if they fight again
• "My mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars"


  Romeo, scene 4, before going to the party

  Mind warning him of his fate, links to the prologue (dramatic irony)
• "O brawling love, O loving hate, O any thing of nothing first create!"


  Romeo, scene 1, lamenting about Rosaline's rejection

  Lamentation (O), oxymorons, foreshadows Juliet but also relates to his ambivalent attitude towards his family's animosity
• "But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart."


  Capulet, scene 2, talking to Paris about his marriage proposal

  Cares about Juliet's feelings, making Paris win her over instead of marrying her straight off
• "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night."


  Romeo, scene 5, sees Juliet for the first time

  Wonders if his love for Rosaline was true, love at first sight
• "we may think her ripe to be a bride"


  Capulet, scene 2, to Paris about marriage proposal

  Shows concern at Juliet's age, unusual for the time