Question

[Chorus:] From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

—Romeo and Juliet,
William Shakespeare

Which statement best paraphrases the first line in the passage?


What do these lines reveal about the play

Answer 1

Paraphrase: An old feud flares up again into new outbreaks of violence.

What these lines reveal about the play:
- A long‑standing hatred between groups will erupt into fresh conflict.
- The violence affects ordinary citizens (civil blood, civil hands), not just private enemies—there will be public disorder.
- The prologue foreshadows tragedy and sets a tone of inevitable conflict and destructive consequences from hatred.