Question

In the prologue of Romeo & Juliet, how does Shakespeare let you know the tragic ending of the story right at the very beginning?

What is the Prince's decree after breaking up the fight between the Montagues and Capulets? Why is this important?

When we first meet Romeo, what kind of mood is he in? What is the reason for his mood?

Why does Romeo desire to attend the Capulet party?

How could Montague's Romeo and Benvolio go to the Capulet’s party when their families are enemies?

How does Juliet respond to her mother's suggestion of marriage to Paris?

What does Juliet's attitude towards marriage tell us about her character?

What themes do you see developing in these opening scenes?

Answer 1

1) How does Shakespeare let you know the tragic ending right at the very beginning?
- The Prologue (the sonnet spoken by the Chorus) plainly tells us the ending: “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes / A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life.” The chorus calls Romeo and Juliet “star-cross’d” and says they will “die,” so the audience learns it is a tragedy before the action begins. This also sets up the theme of fate.

2) What is the Prince’s decree after breaking up the fight between the Montagues and Capulets? Why is this important?
- The Prince declares that if the families break the peace again, whoever disturbs the streets next “shall pay the forfeit of the peace” — i.e. will be put to death. (Act I, Scene i: “If ever you disturb our streets again, / Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”)
- Importance: it raises the stakes of the feud, shows public order is endangered by private hatred, and foreshadows the dire consequences of further violence. It also puts legal pressure on both families and helps explain why secret meetings and stealth become necessary.

3) When we first meet Romeo, what kind of mood is he in? What is the reason for his mood?
- Romeo is melancholic and lovesick. He is pining for Rosaline, who has sworn chastity and will not return his affections. He uses oxymorons (“brawling love,” “loving hate”) to express the confusion of his mood. (Act I, Scene i.)

4) Why does Romeo desire to attend the Capulet party?
- He goes to see Rosaline, because he has heard she will be there. Benvolio persuades him to go so Romeo can compare Rosaline with other women and see if his grief is justified. (Act I, Scene ii–iv.)

5) How could Montague’s Romeo and Benvolio go to the Capulets’ party when their families are enemies?
- They are not invited, but they learn of the Capulet feast when a Capulet servant (who cannot read) asks Romeo to read the guest list. Benvolio urges them to go uninvited; they wear masks (a masque) to hide their identities and enter the feast. (Act I, Scene ii–iv.)

6) How does Juliet respond to her mother’s suggestion of marriage to Paris?
- Juliet responds politely and cautiously. She says she will “look to like” Paris if her mother thinks it good, but she does not promise to love him: “I’ll look to like, if looking liking move.” (Act I, Scene iii.) She is willing to consider him but makes no firm commitment.

7) What does Juliet’s attitude towards marriage tell us about her character?
- Juliet is young, modest, and respectful of parental authority, yet thoughtful and measured. She is not eager to marry, but she is willing to be open-minded and to judge for herself rather than pledging immediate passion. This shows maturity and prudence beneath her youth.

8) What themes do you see developing in these opening scenes?
- Major themes emerging:
- Love versus hate (intense personal love set against violent family feuding)
- Fate and foreshadowing (the Prologue’s “star-cross’d” lovers)
- Appearance versus reality (masks, the feast, people not what they seem)
- Youth, impulsiveness, and the conflict between private desire and public law/honor (Prince’s decree, parental expectations)
- The social consequences of enmity (how a private feud disrupts public peace)

If you’d like, I can point to exact lines from the text for any of these answers.