home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
ftp.barnyard.co.uk
/
2015.02.ftp.barnyard.co.uk.tar
/
ftp.barnyard.co.uk
/
cpm
/
walnut-creek-CDROM
/
MBUG
/
MBUG186.ARC
/
RJACT3.PLT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1979-12-31
|
5KB
|
150 lines
11
14
scene i
Benvolio and Mercutio are on the streets in the heat of the
afternoon. The fiery Tybalt arrives looking for Romeo.
Romeo arrives and refuses to be provoked by Tybalt.
Mercutio is angered by his lack of spirit and draws his sword
to fight Tybalt.
In trying to stop the fight Romeo impedes Mercutio and Tybalt
stabs him.
Although he jokes bravely Mercutio is fatally wounded and soon
dies. Romeo seeks revenge for his friend by calling on Tybalt
to fight.
14
scene i (cont.)
There is violent sword-play and Romeo kills Tybalt.
Romeo runs away to escape the anticipated harsh penalty of the
Prince.
When the Prince does appear he listens to Benvolio's account
of the incident.
Although Lady Capulet disputes the facts he believes Benvolio
and banishes Romeo from Verona for his part in the incident as
well as fining both the families.
COMMENTARY
See Key Scenes notes for details.
12
scene ii
Juliet waits impatiently for nightfall when Romeo will come
to her.
The Nurse arrives with news of the fighting and at first
Juliet thinks that it is Romeo who has been killed.
Juliet is stunned by the news of Romeo's banishment and thinks
of killing herself.
However the Nurse reveals that Romeo is in hiding at Friar
Lawrence's cell and goes to arrange for him to come to Juliet
after dark.
14
COMMENTARY (scene ii)
There is a strong contrast between this scene and the previous
one. From violence and bloodshed on a crowded stage we pass to
Juliet alone with her passions.
Her deep love for her new husband is revealed firstly in her
soliloquy before she hears the Nurse's news and again when
she recovers from her initial shock to take Romeo's side
against the Nurse.
Notice again imagery of light and dark in her speech e.g.
Whiter than new snow upon a raven's back.
The scene is also rich in dramatic irony as the audience is
aware of the terrible news which the Nurse is about to bring.
14
scene iii
Romeo finds out from Friar Lawrence that he has been banished.
He despairs and throws himself weeping to the floor.
The Nurse arrives and together with the Friar she manages to
convince the desperate Romeo that things are not as bad as he
thinks.
Friar Lawrence reveals a plan for Romeo to leave for Mantua
after spending his wedding night with Juliet.
There he can be ready to return to Verona at a suitable time
in the future.
The Nurse passes Juliet's ring to Romeo and he cheers up.
13
COMMENTARY (scene iii)
This scene reveals much more about the character of Romeo.
Again he is seen as passionate and impulsive. He attempts to
kill himself and despairs at news of his banishment.
In fact his behaviour here shows his immaturity and even
Friar Lawrence scolds him for his childishness.
However a more admirable side of his nature is revealed when
he collects himself for Juliet's sake.
We also see again the shrewd and practical side of Friar
Lawrence's character.
14
scene iv
Late at night Capulet and Paris discuss plans for Juliet's
and Paris' wedding.
Although it has not been discussed with Juliet because of
Tybalt's death Capulet decides to hold the wedding in three
days' time (on Thursday)
Capulet is sure that Juliet will obey his wishes and asks his
wife to tell Juliet of their decision.
COMMENTARY
The scene shows Capulet's lack of real concern for his daughter
despite his earlier words in Act I scene ii.
8
COMMENTARY scene iv (cont.)
Again we have Dramatic Irony as the characters on stage are
quite unaware that Juliet is already married and in fact is
consumating her marriage as they speak.
There is some tension created in this scene when Capulet twice
tells his wife to go to Juliet in her chamber.
13
scene v
Romeo and Juliet are saying goodbye to each other after
spending the night together.
They part reluctantly and as Romeo climbs down Juliet seems
to see Romeo lying dead in a tomb.
Lady Capulet enters and thinks her daughter's tears are for
Tybalt. She tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris.
Juliet shocks her mother by refusing and also refuses when
her father enters.
Furious Capulet threatens to disown her if she disobeys.
8
scene v (cont.)
At odds with her parents Juliet turns to the Nurse for
comfort but receives another shock.
The Nurse advises her to forget Romeo and to marry Paris.
Juliet pretends to accept the advice but already she has
determined to kill herself if Friar Lawrence cannot help her.
12
COMMENTARY (scene v)
Another scene of contrast - between the love of Romeo and
Juliet and the selfish cruelty of her parents.
Notice Juliet's premonition as Romeo leaves which reminds
the audience of the tragedy to come - she will never see him
alive again.
Juliet's words to her mother are full of dramatic irony and
double meaning as she expresses her love while at the same
time keeps it a secret.