Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

milesk8
milesk8
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What is the purpose of acts 1 and 2 in Romeo and Juliet?

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Posted by milesk8 on Monday April 14, 2008 at 9:50 AM and tagged with act 1, act 2, romeo and juliet.

Answers:

  1. teacherk
    teacherk Teacher
    Middle School

    eNotes Editor

    In Act One, the chorus first sets up what is to be the main conflict of the piece: that "two star-cross'd lovers" (star indicates the hand of fate or providence) die and subsequently unite their feuding families. Act one continues, introducing us to Mercutio and Benvolio, Romeo's confidants, and other major players, including the Prince. The fickle nature of love is introduced when we learn that Romeo is pining away for a woman who has vowed to live chaste, Rosaline.

    Act Two centers around the introduction of Romeo to Juliet. They fall in love at first sight and share a very memorable scene on the balcony in Act 2 sc. 2. With the aide of the Nurse (Juliet's nurse since infancy) and Friar Lawrence (one of Romeo's mentors), Juliet and Romeo are secretly married.

    The climax of the play and central conflict occurs right after these two in Act 3 sc. 1, when Romeo kills Tybalt (Juliet's cousin from the opposing family) and is hence banished from Verona.

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    Posted by teacherk on Monday April 14, 2008 at 12:07 PM