Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

cgreen11
cgreen11
Student
High School - 10th Grade

How does Shakespeare start the play, "Romeo and Juliet" so that he gains the attention of the groundlings?

Rate question:

Posted by cgreen11 on Thursday June 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM and tagged with attention, groundling, romeo and juliet, scene 1, start.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    To begin with, Shakespeare starts Romeo and Juliet with the Prologue, which prepares the audience for the deaths of the two young lovers. 

    "Two households, both alike in dignity,

    In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

    From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

    Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

    From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

    A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;"

    (Prologue, Romeo & Juliet)

    Then, in Act I, Scene I, there is a grand street fight which was bound to catch the attention of the groundlings who were standing in front of the stage in the Globe Theater.  Even the Aristocrats, who sat on the upper benches that lined the circular shape of the Globe were caught up in the play through this introduction. 

    "Enter several persons of both houses, who join
    the fray; then enter Citizens, with clubs and partisans.
    Citizens. Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike!
    beat them down!
    Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues!"  (Act I, Scene I) 

    Rate answer:

    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Thursday June 5, 2008 at 2:07 PM