First Encounter: "Love sealed with a kiss"

The Balcony Scene

At the opening of the play, Romeo, son of the House of Montague, Romeo learns through a random announcement that the House of Capulet, a family engaged in a feud with the Montagues, is throwing a ball that night. Romeo, hoping to see Rosaline, a lady he fancied, decides to attend the ball with his friends even though they haven’t been invited. At the ball, Romeo, who wears a mask, sees and falls deeply in love with Juliet, who he later discovers is the daughter of the Capulets. Tybalt, Juliet’s hot-tempered cousin, recognizes Romeo, but is deterred from doing any harm by the elder Capulet, who will not have his party ruined by a fight. Nevertheless, Tybalt bides his time and vows revenge (I,v.).
The feuding of their families is directly presented as their problematic.

A love-struck Romeo steals into the Capulet’s garden hoping to glimpse Juliet. He overhears Juliet’s secret declaration of love for him and makes himself known to her. They exchange pledges of love and determine to marry secretly the next day (II,ii.). With the help of Friar Laurence, a holy man who hopes to heal the breach between the Capulets and Montagues, and Juliet’s vulgar but well-meaning nurse, who wants nothing more than to see Juliet married, the two are wedded in the Friar’s cell, unknown to the parents of either house (II,iii.).

Questions (click here to add your comments):

1. Did Romeo have the right to go to the ball?
2. Did Tybalt utter a word of trunculence?
3. Did Romeo and Juliet's relationship take a fast pace? Explain.

References:

• Kinsella, K., & Feldman, K., & Stump, C.S. (2002). Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: Gold Level. In Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (pp.67-90). New Jersey: Prentice Hall Press.
• The Balcony Scene [Photo]. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXB6tY0UjEx9ixpH2sC_Ms0RheeoUhmX4IlaNFmHVJazy2SJ2_35EudEoGP3B_1kuWw-G96FONke6kuCOwyzJ-bRSu92JjmtK054DJtYyd9gic_8FA-L6mDE80Bm_WYbcyIg-Vc2jgD-LQ/s1600/tiz+helwe.jpg

Romeo and Juliet- Jessica Elias

O welcome to "thy" blog!

Welcome to the blog that will allow you to get to know the greatest tragedy ever written: Romeo and Juliet. From now on the play will no longer be a lame 17th century play, but a cool story you would like to be creative about and to discuss with your classmates! Indeed you will discover through the links and homework posted on this website how friendly Mr. Shakespeare is!  Good luck!