Scene 1

The first scene is a street fight in Verona between servants of the Capulets and Montagues. It slowly escalates until the heads of the households appear. Prince Escalus (Prince of Verona) finally appears at the scene to stop the fighting and forbids any further fighting “on pain of death” (if they fight again, they will be executed). There is some backstory given, with the Prince saying that they “have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets”. This, along with the Prince showing up to quell the violence shows the audience that the antagonism between the two households is a serious issue and that they are both influential households.

After the crowd disperses, the Montagues talk about how Romeo has been acting strangely due to his love for Rosaline. For instance, Lord Montague says he “makes himself an artificial night”. Benvolio tries to get Romeo to forget about her and move on, but Romeo says he can’t.

Scene 2

Lord Capulet talks with Paris – a suitor for his daughter, Juliet – about the prospect of marrying her. Capulet tells Paris that Juliet is “yet a stranger in the world. She hath not seen the change of fourteen years”. He tells Paris to “Let two more summers wither in their pride. Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. Capulet invites Paris to a masked party he is throwing, and calls upon a servant (Peter) to “trudge about through fair Verona” and send out invitations to the party. However, Peter cannot read so he requests the help of Romeo to read the list and tell Peter the names. Peter then invites Romeo and Benvolio to the ball, and Romeo agrees because Rosaline will be there.

Scene 3

In the Capulet’s mansion, Lady Capulet tells the Nurse…