Romeo and Juliet - Act 1 (quotes) Flashcards
This shows Benvolio, the nephew of Montague, as a peacemaker in the brawl in Verona
“Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do.”
This shows Tybalt as an aggressive and fiery character who has no desire to keep the peace with his sworn enemies, the Montagues
“What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.”
This is where the Prince sends out warnings to both families. The Prince informs them that they have already disturbed Verona with three public rows. He tells them that if they ever do this again, it will be under the penalty of death
“Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets….
If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace."
Montague, Romeo’s father, is discussing how Romeo seems quite sad lately. Romeo is portrayed as a typical adolescent lover who is moody and overly romantic
“Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs.”
Here, Capulet and Paris are discussing the possibility of a marriage between Juliet and Paris. Paris is making the point that many other women, younger than Juliet, have made good mothers. This suggests he is trying to persuade Capulet to allow him to marry his 13-year-old daughter, Juliet
“Younger than she are happy mothers made.”
Romeo is explaining that nobody could match Rosaline, his love interest
“One fairer than my love! — The all-seeing sun
Ne’er saw her match since the first world begun.”
This shows Rosaline’s unrequited love for Romeo
“Out of her favour where I am in love.”
Benvolio is basically telling Romeo to go to Capulet’s feast and when he sees all the other beautiful girls he won’t think Rosaline is nearly as beautiful and he’ll forget all about her
“Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.”
Here Juliet is discussing the proposed marriage to Paris with her mother. Juliet is respectful of her mother’s wishes, but is mature enough to know not to promise anything also
“I’ll look to like, if looking liking move;
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.”
Here Romeo is discussing his dream with Mercutio. The dream was a sinister premonition that disaster will arise from the attendance of Romeo at the Capulet ball, a disaster that could lead to his “untimely death”
“…for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels…”
Here Romeo sees Juliet. He swears he has never seen true beauty before and ponders whether or not he has really loved another.
“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight,
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”
Tybalt is seething with rage and says that although he will leave Romeo alone tonight, this conflict between himself and Romeo isn’t over
“I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall
Now seeming sweet convert to bitterest gall.”
Like Romeo, Juliet foresees the tragic consequences that will arise from this night
“My grave is like to be my wedding bed.”
Juliet says that the one thing she really loves comes from the one thing she hates. Juliet is shocked and saddened to learn that her new love is Romeo, a Montague
“My only love sprung from my only hate.”
