Novel Journaling: Romeo and Juliet Act I by: Trevor M. McDowell

Essay by midwest_sk8rHigh School, 12th grade May 2004

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Novel Journaling

First Act of Romeo and Juliet:

Act I scene i: The scene begins with a prologue describing the grudge between Montague and Capulet. It also foreshadows Rome and Juliet "a pair of star cross'd lovers". In fair Verona we lay our scene where two servants of the house of Capulet are strolling the streets. They discuss how to provoke the Montague men they spot into fighting. One deciding to bite their thumb at them, (an act comparable to flipping someone off) immediately grabs the attention of the unsuspecting Montagues. What begins as a verbal confrontation quickly turns into a brawl. Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, arrives and draws his sword while calling for peace. Shortly after Tybalt, a kinsman to Montague has also arrived. Seeing Benvolio posed with a drawn sword he hastily draws his own. Benvolio tries to reason with Tybalt with talks of peace, but Tybalt hating all Montagues takes this gesture to profess his hatred of peace then attacks.

A civil brawl outbreaks and is stopped by Prince Escalus on the grounds of penalty by torture. With that said he also proclaims a death sentence to anyone who disturbs the peace again. The brawlers leave and Benvolio is left alone with Montague and Lady Montague. He explains how the brawl came about, and then Lady Montague asks if he has seen Romeo. Romeo has been in a state of melancholy and last seen by a grove of sycamores outside of Verona. Benvolio finds Romeo and Romeo tells Benvolio about his love for Rosaline. Benvolio tries to convince Romeo to forget love, but Romeo refuses and claims that love cannot be forgotten.

This scene is obviously foreshadowing of what is to come in the prologue. The development of the brawl is also relevant of the grudge...