The Importance of Romeo and Juliet

The Importance of Romeo and Juliet

In the past few weeks, we have been studying Romeo and Juliet. Of

this, we have been focusing most on the scene where Romeo and Juliet

first meet. For this piece of coursework, I have been asked to explain

what happens in this scene and why this is so important.

The scene begins where a group of servants are preparing for the

party. We then see Capulet welcoming Romeo in to the party, “Welcome,

gentlemen! I have seen the day that I have worn a visor.” This is a

vital part to the rest of this scene. The next part of the scene is

probly one of the most important parts of the play where Romeo first

spots Juliet in the ballroom. When he first sees her he asks the

servant about her,” [To a Servingman] what lady’s that which doth

enrich the hand of yonder knight?” He then goes on and praises her

saying, “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she

hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear”.

At this point Tybalt the nephew of Capulet recognises Romeo and says

to his uncle,” Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe: a villain that is

hither come in spite, to scorn at our solemnity this night”. He also

says that if he were to, “strike him dead I hold it not a sin”. In

Elizabethan times, it would have been a great insult for Romeo to turn

up uninvited. Also in these times if the host welcomed him into the

house he must protect him. Capulet did this and so he must protect

Romeo. Capulet says that, “I would not for all the wealth in this

town, here in my house do him disparagement”. Tybalt then, without any

one hearing, vows revenge on Romeo, “I will withdraw, but this

intrusion shall, now seeming sweet convert to bitt’rest gall”.

As this is going on Romeo meets Juliet and from lines 92-105, they

speak as a sonnet. Touching hands Romeo tries to persuade Juliet to