Dec 23, 2009

Romeo and Juliet | Prince Escalus (Character Analysis)

The ruler of Verona. Fourteenth-century Italy consisted of kingdoms, papal states, and local lordships. Verona under Prince Escalus was in the third category. The prince is physically present in three scenes (I.i, III.i, and V.iii), yet his presence is felt throughout the play for he makes the laws and the decisions in Verona.

In his first appearance, Escalus speaks very sternly about the fighting between the servants and the young men in the opposing households. He directs the fighting parties to throw their weapons to the ground, stating that they have started civil wars three...