Prologue

The prologue introduces the play and the aggression between the Montagues and Capulets. The prologue summarises the events and gives the audience the key details of the play. The prologue also reminds the audience about aggression and fate.

'Grudge'

The prologue tells the audience that these two families have had a 'grudge' that is 'ancient'.
This implies that no one really knows the reasons behind it anymore.

Fate and destiny

The audience also learns that fate and destiny are key ideas throughout Romeo and Juliet.
- In the prologue, we learn that a child from the Capulets and a child from the Montagues are destined to fall in love - but that their love is doomed to fail: 'star-crossed lovers'.
- Immediately, the audience recognises that Romeo and Juliet are not the only ones who decide that they should fall in love. Their destined love was written in the stars before they were born.

Suicide

We are told that Romeo and Juliet commit suicide in the play.
The prologue suggests they have no other choice – their deaths are the only thing that will stop the Montague and Capulet families from fighting and killing each other.

Translation and Analysis of the Prologue

Here's a line-by-line analysis of the prologue:

Lines 1-4

Lines 5-8

Lines 9-12

Lines 13-14

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting

1.1.2Relationships

1.1.3Religion & Fate

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

3.1Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect

3.1.2Character Development

3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes

3.2Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development

3.2.2Tragic Character

3.2.3Key Quotes

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet

3.3Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation

3.3.2Key Quotes

3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse

3.4.2Benvolio

3.4.3Tybalt

3.5Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation

3.5.2Key Quotes

3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio

3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence

3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis

4Key Themes & Concepts

4.1Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves

4.1.2Friendship & Family

4.1.3Violent Love

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love

4.2Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide

4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death

4.2.3Fate & Destiny

4.2.4Gender

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery

5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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