In scene four, Romeo says ‘for my mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars… of untimely death’. Look out for the references to fate and premonitions in the opening scenes. What could have been the cause of their ‘ancient grudge’? Why do you think Shakespeare includes the prologue? Which characters feel most strongly about the ‘feud’? Notice the set up of the opening scene and the conflict between the two households mentioned in the prologue. Romeo reveals to Benvolio that he is in love with Rosaline but she doesn’t love him in return. Benvolio promises to find out where Romeo has been and what’s upsetting him. Everyone departs leaving Lord and Lady Montague talking to Benvolio about their son Romeo, who has been missing all day. He is so angry he proclaims if there is another fight Montague and Capulet shall pay the ‘forfeit’ for it with their lives. The fight is eventually stopped when the Prince stops everyone saying 'On pain of torture, from those bloody hands / Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground'. With his line 'As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: / Have at thee, coward!' the fight escalates until there is a huge street brawl involving both Lord Montague and Lord Capulet.
Benvolio tries to stop the fight but when Tybalt arrives things get worse. They meet two servants from the house of Montague and a fight breaks out. The play opens with two servants from the house of Capulet talking about their hatred of the Montagues.
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