Scene 1

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Summary of Act 1, Scene 1

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 1, Scene 1:

Sampson and Gregory introduced

The play opens with Sampson and Gregory (the Capulet servants) talking about how much they hate the Montagues.
They joke about fighting the Montague men and about having sex with the Montague women. This highlights how immature and childish these characters are.

Provocation

Gregory sees two servants from the Montague family (Abram and Balthazar), and both Sampson and Gregory decide to provoke them (try and make them fight) – Sampson says he will 'bite' his 'thumb' at them and Gregory says he will 'frown at them'.
They say both of these phrases to try and provoke the Montague servants into fighting.
Abram is immediately angry at this and starts questioning Sampson by saying, 'Do you bite your thumb at us?'
Sampson tries to back down. He is clearly afraid of what Abram will do. But Abram keeps asking for an answer to his question.

Fight

The Montague and Capulet servants start fighting in the street.
Benvolio enters and tries to break up the fight. He calls the servants 'fools' and tells them that they do not understand the consequences of their actions.
Tybalt enters. He sees Benvolio and immediately threatens to kill him. This shows how aggressive he is – he wants to kill any Montague he sees or hears.
Lord Montague and Lord Capulet enter and want to join the fight – their wives manage to stop them from attacking each other.

Ending the fight

The Prince enters and breaks up the fight. He calls the families 'enemies to peace' and tells them that, if they fight in the streets again, they will be put to death.

Lovesick Romeo

Benvolio talks to Lord and Lady Montague, who are worried about their son, Romeo. Romeo has seemed distant lately and has been spending a lot of time on his own.
Benvolio agrees to find out what is troubling Romeo. Lord and Lady Montague leave.
Romeo talks to Benvolio about how lovesick he feels. He is in love with a woman called Rosaline, but she does not return his feelings. Romeo goes on to describe how beautiful she is but complains that she wastes her beauty by not getting into a relationship.

Act 1, Scene 1 - Characterisation

In Act 1, Shakespeare’s introduction of the other Montagues and the Capulet men highlights the differences between these men and Romeo.

Violent and aggressive

Sampson, Gregory, Abram, Balthazar and Tybalt have violent and aggressive natures.

Loving and romantic

Romeo has a loving and romantic side.
This side of Romeo’s character is important at this point in the play because he changes dramatically in Act 3 after Mercutio is killed.

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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