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Love and Violence: What Lies Ahead The opening of a theatrical piece is perhaps one of the most important parts of the entire show. While setting the atmosphere for the upcoming show, it also gives the audience their first impression of the piece. The first scene also often foreshadows the events following it. The first scene of William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of this: an intriguing opening setting the mood for an intriguing play. While capturing the attention of the audience with humor and activity on stage, it at the same time gives the audience a good idea of what the show following it will be about. The first scene makes clear the themes present throughout the play: the rivalry and violence between the Montague's and Capulets and the ill-fated love which can prove to be destructive.
The first scene reveals the violence and rivalry between the Montague's and Capulets, which is a major force at work throughout the entire play. This is demonstrated from the very beginning of the scene, which opens with Gregory and Sampson (both Capulet servants) talking about their hatred toward Montague's and their will to confront and fight them. A dog of teahouse of Montague stirs me (I i 8) is one of the first lines spoken in the play, giving the audience the feeling that this rivalry is an important aspect of the piece. Gregory and Sampson s desire for violence is soon met when a fight arises between them and two Montague servants they encounter. Even though neither side does anything especially offensive to trigger this fight, the blind hatred and rivalry between the two families is enough to initiate a full-fledged brawl. This blind hatred and stubbornness which eventually destroys the young lovers plays an very important part in the play.
Another theme which the first scene demonstrates is the ill-fated young love which can be destructive, as demonstrated by the tragic death of Romeo and Juliet. This ill-fated love is destroying Romeo from the very first scene, where he is in a deep state of depression because ohio unrequited love for Rosaline. While the ill-fated love prevalent in the play is not between human Rosaline, the concept of this love is introduced from the very first scene. Although Romeo s love for Rosaline fades quickly when he falls in love with Juliet later in the play, the love for Julietproves to be destined for ruin as well.
It is this innocent love between Romeo and Juliet (and their parents bitter rivalry) which brings them to their premature end. Using Romeo s love for Rosaline to demonstrate, this gracious end is foreshadowed from the very first scene. This is summed up well by Benvolio when he says Alas that love, so gentle in his view, / Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof! (I i 174 - 175). This proves to be quite true. The rivalry and ill-fated love which are so evident and important throughout the play are made quite clear in the first scene of Romeo and Juliet.
However, while in the first scene these two themes are separate, as the play progresses their cause-and-effect relationship is made quite clear. It is the bitter hatred between the Montague's and Capulets which is the obstacle in this young innocent love, a love which proves to be strong enough (and an obstacle which proves strong enough) to kill the young lovers. It is only the death of these two children, who are solved by the warring families, that can finally end the age-old feud between them and take off the blindfold of hate they had been wearing for so long. The introduction of these very important themes in the first scene is a very good beginning to the play.
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Research essay sample on Love For Rosaline Romeo And Juliet
