Discussion Topic
Headlines for each scene in Acts 1 and 2 of Romeo and Juliet
Summary:
In Act 1, Scene 1: "Street Brawl Erupts Between Montagues and Capulets." Scene 2: "Capulet Plans Feast; Paris Seeks Juliet’s Hand." Scene 3: "Juliet Considers Marriage to Paris." Scene 4: "Romeo and Friends Crash Capulet’s Party." Scene 5: "Romeo and Juliet Meet and Fall in Love." In Act 2, Scene 1: "Romeo Hides from Friends After Party." Scene 2: "Balcony Scene: Romeo and Juliet Profess Love." Scene 3: "Friar Lawrence Agrees to Marry Romeo and Juliet." Scene 4: "Romeo Informs Nurse of Wedding Plans." Scene 5: "Nurse Delivers Romeo’s Message to Juliet." Scene 6: "Romeo and Juliet Wed in Secret."
What could be headlines for Act 1, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet?
To write some headlines for this scene of Romeo and Juliet, you need to consider its main events. In the opening of the scene, for example, Count Paris asks for Juliet's hand in marriage and, though her father is initially reluctant, he agrees. You could use this event as a headline to describe the decision ("Count Paris To Marry Juliet Capulet") or to convey her father's initial reluctance ("Is Juliet Too Young To Marry?").
In the next part of the scene, Capulet's servant, Peter, is given a guest list for a feast to be held that night. Being illiterate, Peter asks Romeo and Benvolio for some help in reading the names. Romeo is delighted to see Rosaline's name on the guest list, and this may provide some inspiration for a headline: "Romeo Head Over Heels For Rosaline." In contrast, Benvolio wants to persuade Romeo that Rosaline is...
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not the girl for him, so you could describe this argument in a headline: "Benvolio Tells Romeo To Forget Rosaline." Romeo, however, decides to sneak into the feast so that he can see Rosaline, providing another opportunity for a headline: "Romeo Gatecrashes Capulet Feast."
Scene 2--Capulets plan fete for daughter Juliet rumored to be betrothed to Count Paris.
Scene 3--Lady Capulet plans engagement party for daughter Juliet as long-time employee, Nurse, is given counseling.
Scene 4--Masked revelers cause mischief as they run through streets of Verona
Scene 5--Capulet gala "crashed" by masked revelers identified as member of feuding Montague family
What would be suitable "headlines" for each scene in act 2 of Romeo and Juliet?
There are a variety of approaches you can take when creating headlines for each scene. First, you can go with the straight-up "news" headlines, outlining the incident through factual basis (based on what the characters witness). Second, you could go the tabloid route, giving it a gossip-style spin. Lastly, you can forego the idea of "news headlines" and simply sum up each scene in one or two lines. To give you an idea of what is possible, let us try a mix of these three options while summing up each scene in Act 2 of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
Scene I: "Romeo Montague Reported Missing After Crashing Rival's Party: Witness Claims Romeo Was Spotted Sneaking Around the Capulet Family Garden"
Reasoning: In this first scene, Benvolio and Mercutio are debating where Romeo has gone. Benvolio is adamant that he saw him in the trees, but Mercutio persuades him to leave Romeo be. This headline is based on a typical "news" headline.
Scene II: "Star-Crossed Lovers Spotted Stealing Moment Together: Sources Close to the Capulet Family Say Romeo Now Courting Juliet"
Reasoning: This scene—the infamous "Balcony Scene"—is the first in which Romeo and Juliet fully interact. Romeo confesses his love for her, and she eventually reciprocates his feelings. The "source," for anyone familiar with the play, is "Nurse." This is an example of a "tabloid" news headline.
Scene III: "Breaking News: Local Friar Reportedly in Talks to Wed Feuding Families' Children"
Reasoning: The Friar reluctantly agrees to wed Romeo and Juliet, despite his misgivings about Romeo's quick shift in attention from Rosaline to Juliet. This is another example of a typical "news" headline.
Scene IV: "Love and War: Mercutio and Benvolio Briefed on Romeo's Dalliance with Juliet After Debate Over Tybalt's Request for a Duel"
Reasoning: Mercutio and Benvolio debate whether Tybalt—who has requested a duel—would win in a fight with Romeo. An excited Romeo enters and can't wait to tell Mercutio and Benvolio about his exploits from the night before. This is an example of foregoing the "news" style headlines and simply summing up the scene.
Scene V: "Nurse Complicit in Underage Wedding 'Ring'"
Reasoning: The character of Nurse tries to talk some sense into Juliet, who is set on marrying Romeo. After seeing that Juliet will not change her mind, she agrees to help, passing on Romeo's instructions from the previous scene. This is another example of a typical "news" headline.
Scene VI:"Romeo Beware: Friar Foresees 'Violent End'"
Reasoning: In this short scene, the Friar warns Romeo about excessive, thoughtless romantic encounters. This is one of the foreshadowing examples from the play; the exact words "These violent delights have violent ends" refer to the tragedy at the end of the play. This final headline is another example of foregoing the "news" style headlines in favor of summing up the scene.
How about the following?
Act II Scene I: Beyond the Walls of Love
Act II Scene II: Yearning From Below
Act II Scene III: Insults and Advice
Act II Scene IV: Words that Wound and Guide
Act II Scene V: Juliet, Anxiously Waiting
Act II Scene VI: Romeo's Turn To Wait.
- Scene 2 - Montague arrested for trespassing in Capulet orchard despite claims his visit was friendly
- Scene 3 - Trespassing suspect Montague seen leaving home of local friar known for his herbal cures.
- Scene 4 - Vagrant Montagues cause disturbance in streets of Verona where sail-like object spotted
- Scene 5 - Neighbor reports domestic disturbance at Capulet residence
- Scene 6 - Citizens alarmed by late night activity in neighborhood
What are some potential headlines for act 2, scenes 1-6 in Romeo and Juliet?
Ooooo! Cool question! How about these:
- Sneak Theif Invades Capulet Mansion, Steals Nothing but Daughter's Heart
- Friar Prays for Peace Between Feuding Families
- Bliss before Tragedy: Romeo & Juliet Marry
- Feuding Families Tie the Knot
[I'll tell you what amazes me the most about coming up with these: the realization that the act begins with love (infatuation?) and ends in marriage! That's is quite an emotional load for one act, isn't it?!?]