ROMEO AND JULIETROMEO AND JULIETAct 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2

This scene introduces Paris as This scene introduces Paris as Capulet’s pick for Juliet’s husband Capulet’s pick for Juliet’s husband and also sets into motion Romeo and also sets into motion Romeo and Juliet’s eventual meeting at and Juliet’s eventual meeting at the feast. the feast.

In the process, the scene In the process, the scene establishes how Juliet is subject to establishes how Juliet is subject to parental influence. Romeo might parental influence. Romeo might be forced into fights because of his be forced into fights because of his father’s enmity with the Capulets, father’s enmity with the Capulets, but Juliet is far more constrained. but Juliet is far more constrained.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2CAPULETCAPULET

But saying o'er what I have said before:But saying o'er what I have said before:

My child is yet a stranger in the world;My child is yet a stranger in the world;

She hath not seen the change of fourteen She hath not seen the change of fourteen years,years,

Let two more summers wither in their pride,Let two more summers wither in their pride,

Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.

PARISPARIS

Younger than she are happy mothers made.Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2CAPULETCAPULET

And too soon marr'd are those so early And too soon marr'd are those so early made.made.

The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she,she,

She is the hopeful lady of my earth:She is the hopeful lady of my earth:

But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,

My will to her consent is but a part;My will to her consent is but a part;

An she agree, within her scope of choiceAn she agree, within her scope of choice

Lies my consent and fair according voice. Lies my consent and fair according voice.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2 Regardless of any inter-family strife, Regardless of any inter-family strife,

Juliet’s father can force her to marry Juliet’s father can force her to marry whomever he wants. Such is the whomever he wants. Such is the difference between being a man and difference between being a man and woman in Verona. woman in Verona.

It might seem a worse thing to be It might seem a worse thing to be caught up in the violence of a brawl, but caught up in the violence of a brawl, but Juliet’s status as a young woman leaves Juliet’s status as a young woman leaves her with no power or choice in any social her with no power or choice in any social situation.situation.

Like any other female in this culture, she Like any other female in this culture, she will be passed from the control of one will be passed from the control of one man to another. man to another.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2•In this scene, Capulet appears to be a kind-In this scene, Capulet appears to be a kind-hearted man. He defers to Juliet’s ability to hearted man. He defers to Juliet’s ability to choose for herself (“My will to her consent is choose for herself (“My will to her consent is but a part” [1.2.15]). But his power to force but a part” [1.2.15]). But his power to force her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is her into a marriage if he feels it necessary is implicitly present. implicitly present. •Thus parental influence in this tragedy Thus parental influence in this tragedy becomes a tool of fate: Juliet’s arranged becomes a tool of fate: Juliet’s arranged marriage with Paris, and the traditional feud marriage with Paris, and the traditional feud between Capulets and Montagues, will between Capulets and Montagues, will eventually contribute to the deaths of Romeo eventually contribute to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. The forces that determine their and Juliet. The forces that determine their fate are laid in place well before Romeo and fate are laid in place well before Romeo and Juliet even meet.Juliet even meet.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2• The specter of parental The specter of parental

influence evident in this scene influence evident in this scene should itself be understood as should itself be understood as an aspect of the force wielded an aspect of the force wielded over individuals by social over individuals by social structures such as family, structures such as family, religion, and politics. All of religion, and politics. All of these massive social structures these massive social structures will, in time, throw obstacles in will, in time, throw obstacles in the path of Romeo and Juliet’s the path of Romeo and Juliet’s love.love.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2ServantServant

Find them out whose names are written here! Find them out whose names are written here! It isIt is

written, that the shoemaker should meddle written, that the shoemaker should meddle with hiswith his

yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher yard, and the tailor with his last, the fisher withwith

his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I his pencil, and the painter with his nets; but I amam

sent to find those persons whose names are sent to find those persons whose names are herehere

writ, and can never find what names the writ, and can never find what names the writingwriting

person hath here writ. I must to the learned.--person hath here writ. I must to the learned.--In In

good time.good time.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2Peter, who cannot read, offers a touch Peter, who cannot read, offers a touch of humor to this scene, especially in the of humor to this scene, especially in the way his illiteracy leads him to invite way his illiteracy leads him to invite two Montagues to the party while two Montagues to the party while expressly stating that no Montagues expressly stating that no Montagues are invited. But Peter’s poor education are invited. But Peter’s poor education is also part of the entrenched social is also part of the entrenched social structures. Juliet has no power because structures. Juliet has no power because she is a woman. Peter has no power she is a woman. Peter has no power because he is a lowly servant and because he is a lowly servant and therefore cannot read.therefore cannot read.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2Romeo, of course, is still lovelorn for Romeo, of course, is still lovelorn for Rosaline; but the audience can tell at Rosaline; but the audience can tell at this point that Romeo will meet Juliet at this point that Romeo will meet Juliet at the feast, and expectations begin to the feast, and expectations begin to rise. Through Shakespeare’s ingenious rise. Through Shakespeare’s ingenious manipulation of the plot, the audience manipulation of the plot, the audience starts to feel the rustlings of starts to feel the rustlings of approaching fate.approaching fate.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2BENVOLIOBENVOLIO

At this same ancient feast of Capulet'sAt this same ancient feast of Capulet's

Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,lovest,

With all the admired beauties of Verona:With all the admired beauties of Verona:

Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,

Compare her face with some that I shall Compare her face with some that I shall show,show,

And I will make thee think thy swan a And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. crow.

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2ROMEOROMEO

When the devout religion of mine eyeWhen the devout religion of mine eye

Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;

And these, who often drown'd could never die,And these, who often drown'd could never die,

Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!

One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sunOne fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun

Ne'er saw her match since first the world Ne'er saw her match since first the world

begun. begun.

Scene Analysis Scene Analysis QuestionsQuestions

1.1. To what extent do you think that Lord To what extent do you think that Lord Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s youth is not genuine? Explain your youth is not genuine? Explain your response with evidence.response with evidence.

2.2. AAside from the theme of fate, what side from the theme of fate, what other themes do you see present in other themes do you see present in this scene?this scene?

3.3. ““Peter’s role in the scene is Peter’s role in the scene is dispensable.” How far do you agree dispensable.” How far do you agree with the statement?with the statement?

PPoossible Responsessible Response1.1. To what extent do you think that Lord To what extent do you think that Lord

Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s youth is Capulet’s concern for his daughter’s youth is not genuine? Explain your response with not genuine? Explain your response with evidence.evidence.

• Alternative POV: Alternative POV:

• He is reluctant to give up Juliet, his only living child. He is reluctant to give up Juliet, his only living child. Juliet is Capulet's sole inheritor and responsible for Juliet is Capulet's sole inheritor and responsible for carrying on his bloodline. If she is harmed by carrying on his bloodline. If she is harmed by marriage (having children too young), Capulet will marriage (having children too young), Capulet will have no one to continue the family. From his vested have no one to continue the family. From his vested interest, we can tell that he is selfish and self-serving. interest, we can tell that he is selfish and self-serving. Eventually, displaying the inconsistent mood shifting Eventually, displaying the inconsistent mood shifting that he continues throughout the play, he gives Paris that he continues throughout the play, he gives Paris permission to attempt to win the consent of Juliet permission to attempt to win the consent of Juliet herself since he did not want to lose Paris as a herself since he did not want to lose Paris as a potential son-in-law. potential son-in-law.

PPoossible Responsessible Response2. A2. Aside from the theme of fate, what side from the theme of fate, what other other themes do you see present in this themes do you see present in this scene?scene?

•Theme of loveTheme of love

•TTheme of duality (youth & old age)heme of duality (youth & old age)

PPoossible Responsessible Response3.“Peter’s role in the scene is dispensable.” 3.“Peter’s role in the scene is dispensable.” How far do you agree with the How far do you agree with the statement?statement?

•Peter is not only the messenger to help Peter is not only the messenger to help Capulet invite his guests to the party but also a Capulet invite his guests to the party but also a vehicle of fate to enable Romeo the vehicle of fate to enable Romeo the opportunity to meet Juliet for the first time.opportunity to meet Juliet for the first time.

•Peter also provides comic relief for the Peter also provides comic relief for the audience in an otherwise sombre scene audience in an otherwise sombre scene immediately after the street fight.immediately after the street fight.