Blog #3

  Act one basically does an introduction to the whole story. The main setting is the hatred between the Montagues and the Capulets families. It's a truly intense relationship. Servants and members from both of the families are walking on the streets with their swords and shields, ready to fight. They are talking and insulting people from the other family on their back, and when they meet, things just get worse. There are people trying to stir up fights like Tybelt, but also peacemakers trying to stop them like the prince and Benvolio. Different characters show different personalities. Also, since there are a substantial number of characters, we can see things in different perspectives: Servants care about what their masters' idea, while the nobilities decide other people's fate, even their children, such as Juliet's future marriage. I like the way Shakespeare writing about scenarios happening in different classes, different places. So we can know more about the story background, and understand the main plot better.
  With the appearance of Romeo, one the the two main characters, the story gets more and more interesting. I found that Shakespeare doesn't like to make the main characters show up at the beginning, it just creates a feeling of mystery. And when the characters actually appear, their characteristics get strengthen maximumly. The language Romeo used reveals his emotions and troubles.
  Like most other teenagers, Romeo has his own confuse of life in this special period. And for him, love is a brand new concept, and he doesn't know how to handle it.
Here's a quote from (1.1 192-201)

Why, such is love’s transgression.
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast,
Which thou wilt propagate, to have it pressed
With more of thine. This love that thou hast shown
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own.
Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.
What is it else? A madness most discreet,
A choking gall, and a preserving sweet.

He has a misunderstanding of love, of being grief and pain, because he is lack of real life experience and young. He has such a high expectation on love, while he can't approach to it. I have the same experience just like him; the young man needs someone to guide him, and Benvolio showed up.
  However, Romeo also has a strong personality of rebellion to his parents, to the world. What he does is just roaming around by himself, away from parents and everyone. When the cousin tried to talk to him, he said, "Out!"(1.1 156). The gap between Romeo his family can't be solve by his parents because they weren't even trying but instead let Benvolio does the job.
  Romeo is such an emotional character, he likes to use exaggerating, poetic language to express his feelings.
 
 O brawling love, O loving hate,
 O anything of nothing first created!
 O heavy lightness, serious vanity,
 Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
 Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health
 (1.1 181-185)

His comments to love are so fantastical and unreal. But the language is what makes him really unique. The more he thinks, the more personalities are showed.

  On the other hand, Juliet is a little bit less emotional but still has her own thoughts against her mother's commands.
 
  I’ll look to like if looking liking move.
  But no more deep will I endart mine eye
  Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.
  (1.3 103-105)
 
  And she is also a little bit naive on love, which tell by the conversation and behavior between her and Romeo in Act 1 Scene 5. She asked for kiss after one.