THE PROLOGUE⌜Enter⌝ Chorus.

 Two households, both alike in dignity
 (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene),
 From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
 Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
 A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
 Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
 Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
 The fearful passage of their death-marked love
10 And the continuance of their parents’ rage,
 Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,
 Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
 The which, if you with patient ears attend,
 What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
⌜Chorus exits.

1. “Two households, both alike in dignity”

Explanation: This refers to two families in Verona— the Montagues and the Capulets. Both families are of high social status, meaning they have wealth, power, and respect in society.

Analysis: The fact that they are “alike in dignity” highlights that they are equally matched in terms of their standing in society, which makes their feud more tragic. They are not two poor, insignificant families fighting over small things, but two powerful families whose conflict affects the entire city.

Devices: The word “dignity” here conveys the respect and status these families hold. It’s important because it establishes the depth of the rivalry — two influential families can cause major disruption in society when they feud.

2. “(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene)”

Explanation: The play is set in Verona, an Italian city known for its beauty and fairness, meaning it’s a place where peace and justice should reign.

Analysis: By calling Verona “fair,” Shakespeare contrasts the peaceful setting with the violent events that are about to unfold. It’s like saying, “This should be a lovely, peaceful place, but instead, we’re about to see a tragic story unfold here.”

Devices: “Fair” is not just describing the physical beauty of Verona but also setting up the irony—while Verona might be fair and peaceful, the families’ conflict is anything but peaceful.

3. “From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,”

Explanation: This line reveals that the two families have held a grudge or a deep resentment for a long time, and now that grudge has caused a new, violent rebellion or conflict.

Analysis: The phrase “ancient grudge” suggests that the hatred between the families has been passed down through generations, and the “new mutiny” shows that the violence between them is not something new—it’s a reoccurrence, but it is still just as destructive. The term “mutiny” implies a rebellion, suggesting that the conflict is both internal (within the families) and external (involving the city).

Devices: “Grudge” is a noun representing long-held hatred, and “mutiny” is a metaphor often used for rebellion or fighting against authority. This sets the stage for a battle that is both personal (between the families) and public (in the city of Verona).

4. “Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”

Explanation: The conflict between the families has led to violence, where even the most respected citizens of Verona (who should be “civil,” meaning polite and peaceful) are involved in bloodshed.

Analysis: The line underscores how violence can corrupt people, even those who are usually good and civil. The phrase “civil hands unclean” suggests that once people engage in violence, they are no longer seen as pure or innocent. It also serves as a commentary on how hatred can turn even the most peaceful people into participants in destruction.

Devices: The repetition of the word “civil” is significant—it shows how the violence breaks down the moral fabric of the society. The word “unclean” adds a sense of guilt or impurity that the characters cannot escape once involved in the conflict.

5. “From forth the fatal loins of these two foes”

Explanation: Romeo and Juliet are born from these two warring families. The word “fatal” suggests that their birth is cursed and doomed.

Analysis: This line highlights the tragic irony of Romeo and Juliet’s birth—they come from parents who hate each other, which sets the stage for the tragic end of their love. The term “fatal loins” gives a sense that their very existence is doomed from the start. Their love is set against the backdrop of violence, and from the moment they are born, they are marked for tragedy.

Devices: “Fatal loins” is a metaphor for the doomed fate that will follow them. It gives the audience the sense that Romeo and Juliet have no control over their destiny—they are simply the result of their families’ hatred.

6. “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;”

Explanation: Romeo and Juliet are deeply in love, but their love is doomed by fate (“star-crossed”), and they will ultimately take their own lives in the end.

Analysis: The phrase “star-crossed” means that the stars (or fate) are against them. This is a common phrase used to describe lovers whose relationship is doomed from the start. Their love story is tragic because no matter how pure and deep their feelings are, their fate is already sealed. The fact that they “take their life” shows that their love ends in suicide, which is the ultimate act of tragedy.

Devices: “Star-crossed” is a powerful metaphor for the idea that the lovers are controlled by fate, with no hope of changing their destiny. It immediately tells the audience that this will not be a happy love story.

7. “Whose misadventured piteous overthrows”

Explanation: The events of their love story are filled with mistakes and bad luck, leading to their tragic deaths.

Analysis: This line speaks to the sense of inevitability that surrounds Romeo and Juliet’s love. They try their best to be together, but everything they do leads to misfortune and pain. The word “piteous” emphasizes the sympathy that the audience feels for the characters—they are victims of circumstances rather than the cause of their own downfall.

Devices: The phrase “misadventured overthrows” suggests that their fate is filled with unfortunate events. “Piteous” is an emotional appeal that invites the audience to feel sympathy for the lovers.

8. “Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.”

Explanation: Their tragic deaths end the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.

Analysis: This line reveals that, in the end, it is only through the loss of their children that the families can reconcile and stop fighting. The death of Romeo and Juliet brings an end to the senseless violence, but it comes at a great cost. This line shows the bitter irony of the play—only after the lovers die does the hatred between the families cease, and it’s too late for them to see the resolution.

Devices: “Bury” here is a metaphor—Romeo and Juliet’s deaths literally “bury” the families’ anger, putting it to rest forever.

9. “The fearful passage of their death-marked love”

Explanation: The journey of Romeo and Juliet’s love is full of fear and is destined for death.

Analysis: This line highlights the sense of dread that surrounds their love from the beginning. Their love is never going to be easy, and it will eventually lead to their deaths. The word “fearful” shows that even though they are in love, they are constantly afraid of the consequences and obstacles they face.

Devices: “Death-marked” is a metaphor suggesting that death is a part of their love story. It’s a constant presence, and everything they do is influenced by the fact that they cannot escape their fate.

10. “And the continuance of their parents’ rage,”

Explanation: Even as Romeo and Juliet fall in love, their parents’ anger continues to fuel the conflict.

Analysis: This line emphasizes that the feud between the families is not only long-lasting but also destructive. The parents’ anger continues to affect the children, even though they are trying to make their own choices. This suggests how the sins of the parents affect the children and how difficult it is to break free from generational conflict.

Devices: “Continuance” implies that the anger is unrelenting and ongoing, adding to the sense of hopelessness and inevitability in the play.

11. “Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,”

Explanation: The parents’ anger can only be ended by the death of their children.

Analysis: This line reveals the tragic inevitability of the story—the parents’ hatred is so intense that it takes the ultimate sacrifice (the deaths of Romeo and Juliet) to bring peace. This highlights the destructive power of the feud and how it traps everyone involved, even the innocent.

Devices: The word “naught” (meaning “nothing”) emphasizes that there is no other way to end the conflict—only death can bring an end to the hatred.

12. “Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;”

Explanation: The story you are about to see will unfold over the course of two hours on stage.

Analysis: This line tells the audience how long the play will last and encourages them to pay attention to the events as they unfold. It’s a reminder that what they are about to watch will be intense and full of action.

Devices: “Traffic” is used here in an unusual way, referring to the events or actions that will take place on stage. It gives the play a sense of movement and drama.

13. “The which, if you with patient ears attend,”

Explanation: The audience is invited to listen carefully and pay attention to the story.

Expanded Analysis: This line asks the audience to be patient and engaged. The Chorus is suggesting that if the audience is attentive, they will understand the play’s deeper meaning and appreciate the tragic events that unfold.

Devices: “Patient ears” appeals to the audience’s sense of involvement. It’s a gentle request for them to focus and enjoy the play.

14. “What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.”

Explanation: If anything is unclear or if anything is missed, the actors will work hard to clarify it.

Analysis: The Chorus assures the audience that if they miss anything or don’t understand parts of the play, the actors will work to make it clear through their performance. It is an invitation to trust the actors and the story they are about to tell.

Devices: “Toil” implies hard work, showing that the actors are dedicated to their craft and committed to delivering the best performance possible.