Setting the Scene of Romeo and Juliet, Part 2

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt: What! art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.Benvolio: I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, 50 Or manage it to part these men with me.Tybalt: What! drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word,As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.Have at thee, coward! [They fight.] What inference can be made about Benvolio and Tybalt from this dialogue?

Benvolio is more concerned with keeping the peace than Tybalt is.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. Prince: Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,—Will they not hear? What ho! you men, you beasts,That quench the fire of your pernicious rage 70 With purple fountains issuing from your veins,On pain of torture, from those bloody handsThrow your mis-temper'd weapons to the ground,And hear the sentence of your moved prince. What inference can be made about the prince from this dialogue?

He is angry with both families for fighting in the streets again.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene ii of Romeo and Juliet. Capulet: But saying o'er what I have said before:My child is yet a stranger in the world, 10 She hath not seen the change of fourteen years;Let two more summers wither in their prideEre we may think her ripe to be a bride. Which is the best paraphrase of Capulet's lines?

Juliet is too young and not ready to be married for another two years.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. Montague: 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:But all so soon as the all-cheering sunShould in the furthest east begin to draw 120 The shady curtains from Aurora's bed,Away from light steals home my heavy son,And private in his chamber pens himself,Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out,And makes himself an artificial night. According to this excerpt, what is causing Montague's concerns about Romeo?

Romeo has been crying and shutting himself away in his darkened room.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene ii of Romeo and Juliet. Servant: God gi' good den. I pray, sir, can you read? 55 Romeo: Ay, mine own fortune in my misery. Servant: Perhaps you have learn'd it without book: but, I pray, can you read any thing you see? Romeo: Ay, if I know the letters and the language.Servant: Ye say honestly; rest you merry! [Offering to go.]Romeo: Stay, fellow; I can read. What causes the servant to ask for Romeo's help?

The servant cannot read.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene ii of Romeo and Juliet. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, 75 By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,And made Verona's ancient citizensCast by their grave beseeming ornaments,To wield old partisans, in hands as old, 80 Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate. Which best paraphrases why the prince is angry with Capulet and Montague?

Their families have recently started three street fights

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. Capulet: What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho! Lady Capulet: A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword? 60 Capulet: My sword, I say! Old Montague is come,And flourishes his blade in spite of me. Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE. Montague: Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not; let me go. Lady Montague: Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. 65 What inference can be made about Lady Capulet and Lady Montague from this dialogue?

They are more concerned with keeping the peace than their husbands are.

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene i of Romeo and Juliet. And hear the sentence of your moved prince.Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, 75 By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,And made Verona's ancient citizensCast by their grave beseeming ornaments,To wield old partisans, in hands as old, 80 Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate.If ever you disturb our streets againYour lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. What will happen if the Capulets and Montagues disturb the peace again?

They will be punished by death.

An inference is a conclusion that adds what you know to the________ in the text.

information

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene ii of Romeo and Juliet. Benvolio: At this same ancient feast of Capulet's, 70 Sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lov'st,With all the admired beauties of Verona:Go thither; and, with unattainted eyeCompare her face with some that I shall show,And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. Which is the best paraphrase of Benvolio's lines?

Once you see other beautiful girls at the party, you will see that Rosaline is not so special.