CAPULET
But Montague is bound as well as I, In penalty alike, and ’tis not hard, I think, For men so old as we to keep the peace.
- Capulet speaks about how both he and Montague, the two families that are feuding, are equally responsible for maintaining peace. He says that as older men, it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to stop the fighting.
PARIS
Of honorable reckoning are you both, And pity ’tis you lived at odds so long. But now, my lord, what say you to my suit?
- Paris compliments both Capulet and Montague for being honorable men but expresses regret that they have been feuding for so long. Then, he asks Capulet what he thinks about Paris’s suit (proposal) to marry his daughter, Juliet.
CAPULET
But saying o’er what I have said before. My child is yet a stranger in the world. She hath not seen the change of fourteen years. Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
- Capulet tells Paris that he has already spoken about this before. He says that Juliet is still very young, only about 13 years old (as she hasn’t experienced 14 summers). He suggests waiting another two years for her to mature before considering her for marriage.
PARIS
Younger than she are happy mothers made.
- Paris argues that girls younger than Juliet have become mothers and married happily, implying that Juliet could be ready for marriage now.
CAPULET
And too soon marred are those so early made. Earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she; She’s the hopeful lady of my earth.
- Capulet disagrees, saying that girls who marry too young often end up with problems in their lives. He then shares that Juliet is the only child he has left after losing his other children, making her very precious to him.
CAPULET
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part. And, she agreed, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice.
- Capulet tells Paris that he can try to win Juliet’s heart, but he also mentions that Juliet’s opinion matters. He says that his consent to the marriage depends on her agreeing to it.
CAPULET
This night I hold an old accustomed feast, Whereto I have invited many a guest Such as I love; and you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more.
- Capulet invites Paris to a feast he is holding that night, where many guests will be present. He tells Paris that his presence will be a welcome addition.
CAPULET
At my poor house look to behold this night Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light. Such comfort as do lusty young men feel When well-appareled April on the heel Of limping winter treads, even such delight Among fresh fennel buds shall you this night Inherit at my house.
- Capulet describes the beauty of the night and the guests he has invited, calling them “earth-treading stars” who will make the night shine brightly. He compares the pleasure of being at the party to the joy young men feel when spring follows the cold winter, implying that it will be a delightful event.
CAPULET
Hear all, all see, And like her most whose merit most shall be; Which, on more view of many, mine, being one, May stand in number, though in reck’ning none.
- Capulet adds that all the guests at the party will be able to see Juliet, and the one who likes her most will be the one who has earned her affection. He also notes that Juliet is young, and many may admire her, though he wants her to choose her own suitor.
CAPULET
Come go with me. To Servingman, giving him a list. Go, sirrah, trudge about Through fair Verona, find those persons out Whose names are written there, and to them say My house and welcome on their pleasure stay.
- Capulet tells Paris to come with him, then gives a list to a servingman and asks him to find the people on the list and invite them to the party, saying that they are welcome to come.
SERVINGMAN
Find them out whose names are written here! It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil and the painter with his nets. But I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ, and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ. I must to the learned. In good time!
- The servingman is confused because he cannot read the names on the invitation list. He humorously compares the situation to the shoemaker using his yardstick or the fisherman using a pencil, saying he doesn’t know what the names are and must go ask someone who can read.
Enter Benvolio and Romeo.
- Benvolio and Romeo enter the scene.
BENVOLIO, to Romeo
Tut, man, one fire burns out another’s burning; One pain is lessened by another’s anguish. Turn giddy, and be helped by backward turning. One desperate grief cures with another’s languish.
- Benvolio tries to cheer Romeo up. He tells Romeo that one problem or pain can be soothed by another, just like a fire burning out another fire. He encourages Romeo to turn his attention to something else to forget his sadness.
ROMEO
Your plantain leaf is excellent for that.
- Romeo sarcastically responds, suggesting that Benvolio’s remedy (a plantain leaf) might be helpful for treating a wound, but he’s not serious about it.
BENVOLIO
For what, I pray thee?
- Benvolio asks Romeo what he means by that.
ROMEO
For your broken shin.
- Romeo continues to joke, saying that the plantain leaf is good for treating a broken shin (referring to Benvolio’s attempt to help him).
BENVOLIO
Why Romeo, art thou mad?
- Benvolio asks Romeo if he’s going crazy because of his behavior and his refusal to be cheered up.
ROMEO
Not mad, but bound more than a madman is,
- Romeo replies that he’s not mad, but he feels more trapped by his emotions than even a madman.
ROMEO:
“Shut up in prison, kept without my food, Whipped and tormented, and—good e’en, good fellow.”
- Explanation: Romeo is expressing how deeply unhappy and emotionally tortured he feels because of his unrequited love for Rosaline. He compares his suffering to being locked in prison, starved, and tortured. The use of “good e’en, good fellow” is a polite greeting to the servingman, but Romeo’s mood is heavy with frustration.
SERVINGMAN:
“God gi’ good e’en. I pray, sir, can you read?”
- Explanation: The servingman greets Romeo kindly with “God gi’ good e’en,” which is an old-fashioned way of saying “Good evening.” He then asks if Romeo can read, because he has a letter in his hand.
ROMEO:
“Ay, mine own fortune in my misery.”
- Explanation: Romeo replies that he can indeed read. He refers to his fortune, meaning the letter, and suggests that it is tied to his misery. In other words, he feels his fate is linked to his current emotional pain, and this letter might add to that.
SERVINGMAN:
“Perhaps you have learned it without book. But I pray, can you read anything you see?”
- Explanation: The servingman wonders if Romeo has memorized how to read (learning it without a book). He asks if Romeo can read anything, implying that maybe Romeo has not seen the letter yet.
ROMEO:
“Ay, if I know the letters and the language.”
- Explanation: Romeo responds that he can indeed read if he knows the letters and language. In other words, as long as the writing is legible to him and in a language he understands, he can read it.
SERVINGMAN:
“You say honestly. Rest you merry.”
- Explanation: The servingman is satisfied with Romeo’s honesty and wishes him well, saying “Rest you merry,” which is another way of saying “Have a good night.”
ROMEO:
“Stay, fellow. I can read. (He reads the letter.)”
- Explanation: Romeo stops the servingman and decides to read the letter aloud. He’s now fully engaged with the content of the letter.
ROMEO (cont.):
“Signior Martino and his wife and daughters, County Anselme and his beauteous sisters, The lady widow of Vitruvio, Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces, Mercutio and his brother Valentine, Mine Uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters, My fair niece Rosaline and Livia, Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt, Lucio and the lively Helena. A fair assembly. Whither should they come?”
- Explanation: Romeo reads the list of guests invited to the Capulet’s feast. He mentions various people who will be attending, including Rosaline, whom he loves. He refers to them as a “fair assembly,” meaning a gathering of beautiful or important people. Then he asks where they should go, referring to the location of the feast.
SERVINGMAN:
“Up.”
- Explanation: The servingman simply responds with “Up,” directing Romeo to go to the feast.
ROMEO:
“Whither? To supper?”
- Explanation: Romeo asks if they are going to the supper, meaning the dinner or banquet at Capulet’s house.
SERVINGMAN:
“To our house.”
- Explanation: The servingman confirms that the feast is taking place at his master’s house, which belongs to Lord Capulet.
ROMEO:
“Whose house?”
- Explanation: Romeo seeks clarification, wondering whose house is being referred to.
SERVINGMAN:
“My master’s.”
- Explanation: The servingman clarifies that the house belongs to his master, Lord Capulet.
ROMEO:
“Indeed I should have asked thee that before.”
- Explanation: Romeo realizes that he should have asked earlier and admits that he now understands where the feast is being held.
SERVINGMAN:
“Now I’ll tell you without asking. My master is the great rich Capulet, and, if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray come and crush a cup of wine. Rest you merry.”
- Explanation: The servingman takes the opportunity to tell Romeo more information about his master, Lord Capulet. He invites Romeo to join the feast, as long as Romeo is not from the rival Montague family. The servingman wishes Romeo well as he leaves.
SERVINGMAN exits.
- Explanation: The servingman leaves after giving Romeo the invitation to the feast.
BENVOLIO:
“At this same ancient feast of Capulet’s Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so loves, With all the admirèd beauties of Verona.”
- Explanation: Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin, informs Romeo that Rosaline will be at the feast. He adds that Rosaline will be surrounded by many of the most beautiful women in Verona.
BENVOLIO:
“Go thither, and with unattainted eye Compare her face with some that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.”
- Explanation: Benvolio advises Romeo to go to the feast and compare Rosaline’s beauty with other women. He promises that when Romeo sees other women, he will realize that Rosaline is not as beautiful as he thinks. Benvolio uses the metaphor of a swan and a crow: just as a crow is plain compared to a swan, Rosaline will seem less beautiful when compared to other women.
ROMEO:
“When the devout religion of mine eye Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fire; And these who, often drowned, could never die, Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars.”
- Explanation: Romeo responds dramatically. He says that if his eyes (which he believes are guided by the “devout religion” of love) are deceived into thinking Rosaline is the most beautiful, then he wishes to burn with passion. He also expresses that those who mourned in love and could not die from it should be punished for their “lies” about love, implying that love makes one suffer deeply.
ROMEO:
“One fairer than my love? The all-seeing sun Ne’er saw her match since first the world begun.”
- Explanation: Romeo continues to exaggerate Rosaline’s beauty. He insists that there is no one more beautiful than her, not even the sun, which he claims has never seen anyone as beautiful since the beginning of time.
BENVOLIO:
“Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, Herself poised with herself in either eye; But in that crystal scales let there be weighed Your lady’s love against some other maid That I will show you shining at this feast, And she shall scant show well that now seems best.”
- Explanation: Benvolio dismisses Romeo’s extreme admiration for Rosaline. He argues that Romeo only saw her beauty when no one else was around to compare her to. Benvolio suggests that if Romeo compares Rosaline to other women at the feast, he will realize that Rosaline isn’t as extraordinary as he believes.
ROMEO:
“I’ll go along, no such sight to be shown, But to rejoice in splendor of mine own.”
- Explanation: Romeo, still focused on his love for Rosaline, says that he will go to the feast but that no one will change his mind. He will continue to admire Rosaline and won’t compare her to anyone else. He will enjoy the feast by focusing on his own feelings for her.
They exit.
- Explanation: Benvolio and Romeo leave to attend the Capulet feast, with Romeo still set on his obsession with Rosaline.
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