Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1 [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet.md) › Act 1 # Act 1 English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 6.1.1 ## Key Quotes - Act 1, Scene 1 Here are key quotes from Sampson and Benvolio in Act 1, Scene 1: ### Sampson ![Sampson](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f26e76db-d0a3-4f16-a21e-1e70dfa8146f/shutterstock_793949797.jpg) - **'I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.'** - Sampson tries to provoke the servants of the Montague family by biting his thumb at them. This is basically swearing at them. - He says that the Montagues will be disgraced (lose their honour) if they do not defend their honour after Sampson insults them. ### Sampson quote - further analysis ![Sampson quote - further analysis](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/ec9fbe1b-47a7-4a23-b721-e6976860293e/shutterstock_56051710.jpg) - The two families lose some of their humanity and self-control whenever they are near each other. They let their animalistic (animal-like) sides take over. - Shakespeare shows this aggression at the very start of the play to show how much the Montagues and Capulets hate one another. ### Benvolio ![Benvolio](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b0795a35-fd62-4d1d-82b9-f756b433854f/shutterstock_207695008.jpg) - **'Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.'** - Benvolio enters the scene after the servants have begun to fight. He immediately tries to break them up by telling them to **'part'** and calling them **'fools'**. - He implies that these men have not thought about the potential consequences of their actions. This suggests that Benvolio thinks before he acts (and is very different to Tybalt). - He is very aware that the Prince is unhappy about the two families fighting in Verona. ## Key Quotes - Act 1, Scene 1 Here are key quotes from Romeo, the Prince and Tybalt in Act 1, Scene 1: ### Romeo ![Romeo](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a4145725-da13-47d8-a1f1-e7e82f809db5/shutterstock_626082683.jpg) - **'O brawling love! O loving hate!'** - Romeo talks in oxymorons (contradictions next to one another) throughout Act 1 until he meets Juliet. - He feels love for Rosaline, but it is a hateful, difficult love, because she does not return his feelings. - He feels confused and does not know what to do because he loves Rosaline so much and she does not feel the same way. ### Prince ![Prince](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/a47f1f2e-25f0-46ad-82c2-48ceee54daac/shutterstock_359026538.jpg) - **'If ever you disturb our streets again, / Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.'** - After breaking up the fight, the Prince threatens the Montagues and Capulets. - They have fought three times in the streets of Verona and caused huge disruptions. If they fight again, he will have them put to death. ### Tybalt ![Tybalt](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/154369e3-e663-4d28-9a4b-ecba7ae2ab5c/shutterstock_279711152.jpg) - **'Peace! I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!'** - Tybalt is very different to Benvolio. - At first, Tybalt mocks Benvolio for trying to make peace. - Tybalt hates peace (and the Montagues) a lot. This emphasises how aggressive he is. - In Elizabethan Italy, hell would have been the worst thing imaginable. Here, Tybalt encourages strong hatred in society. - Tybalt uses the noun **'coward'** to try and make Benvolio angry and provoke (encourage) him into fighting. ## Key Quotes - Act 1, Scene 5 Here are key quotes from Romeo, Tybalt and Juliet in Act 1, Scene 5: ### Romeo ![Romeo](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/55f411fd-1ee4-4ca0-86c5-1d13a261e2b9/shutterstock_1009461196.jpg) - **'Did my heart love till now?'** - As soon as Romeo sees Juliet, his attitude and feelings change. He immediately forgets Rosaline and recognises that what he felt for her was not love. - This speech pinpoints the moment that Romeo sees Juliet and experiences love at first sight. ### Tybalt ![Tybalt](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/4a8684bf-fd30-49c7-91d9-70086df79a99/shutterstock_1010230042.jpg) - **'This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave come hither.'** - Tybalt hears **'a Montague'** voice at the party and instantly orders a servant to fetch his sword. This emphasises his aggressive nature. - He doesn’t know that this is Romeo just yet, but recognises a Montague voice and wants to murder him. - Tybalt also uses the noun **'slave'** to describe the man. This suggests that he sees the Montague family as a lower class to his own family, and that they are not worthy of being in his presence. ### Juliet ![Juliet](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/7c0bcfd5-61e7-4449-88d9-1379fe5dca71/shutterstock_428802457.jpg) - **'My only love sprung from my only hate!'** - After finding out that the man she has fallen in love with is a Montague, Juliet is devastated. - She uses the oxymoron (opposite ideas) of **'love'** and **'hate'** to emphasise the hatred between the two families. She knows it will act as a barrier to her future happiness. ## Test yourself on Act 1 - Who says _**'Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do'**_ in Act 1, Scene 1? - What does the quote _'I will bite my thumb at them, which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it'_ show? - What does the quote _'Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do'_ show about Benvolio? - What does it mean to 'bite' your 'thumb' at someone? - What is **_'O brawling love! O loving hate!'**_ an example of? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/00f70050-30ed-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/section/8aa4172a-5f07-4c60-abab-49bf90da3911/session) - Previous topic: [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md) - Next topic: [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Tragedy & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-1-tragedy-and-setting.md) - [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md) - [1.1.3 Religion & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate.md) - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-era.md) - [1.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-location.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Prologue - [2.1.1 Prologue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-1-1-prologue.md) - 2.2 Act 1 - [2.2.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-1-scene-1.md) - [2.2.2 Scene 1 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-2-scene-1-quotes.md) - [2.2.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-3-scene-2.md) - [2.2.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-4-scene-3.md) - [2.2.5 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-5-scene-4.md) - [2.2.6 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-6-scene-5.md) - [2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-7-end-of-topic-test-prologue-and-act-1.md) - 2.3 Act 2 - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-1-scenes-1-2.md) - [2.3.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-2-scene-3.md) - [2.3.3 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-3-scene-4.md) - [2.3.4 Scenes 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-4-scenes-5-6.md) - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2.md) - 2.4 Act 3 - [2.4.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-1-scene-1.md) - [2.4.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-2-scene-2.md) - [2.4.3 Scenes 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-3-scenes-3-4.md) - [2.4.4 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-4-scene-5.md) - [2.4.5 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-5-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md) - 2.5 Act 4 - [2.5.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-1-scene-1.md) - [2.5.2 Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-2-scenes-2-3.md) - [2.5.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-3-scenes-4-5.md) - 2.6 Act 5 - [2.6.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-1-scene-1.md) - [2.6.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-2-scene-2.md) - [2.6.3 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-3-scene-3.md) - [2.6.4 Scene 3 - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-4-scene-3-quotes.md) - [2.6.5 End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-5-end-of-topic-test-acts-4-and-5.md) - [2.6.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-drugs.md) - [2.6.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-knowing-about-the-wed.md) - [2.6.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-order-of-deaths.md) ### 3 Key Characters - 3.1 Romeo - [3.1.1 First Impressions & Juliet's Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-1-first-impressions-and-juliets-effect.md) - [3.1.2 Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-2-character-development.md) - [3.1.3 Reactions & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-3-reactions-and-key-quotes.md) - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-age.md) - [3.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-banishment.md) - [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md) - 3.2 Juliet - [3.2.1 First Impressions & Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development.md) - [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md) - [3.2.3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-3-key-quotes.md) - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-romeo-and-juliet.md) - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-real-people.md) - [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md) - 3.3 Mercutio - [3.3.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation.md) - [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md) - 3.4 The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt - [3.4.1 The Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-1-the-nurse.md) - [3.4.2 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-2-benvolio.md) - [3.4.3 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-3-tybalt.md) - 3.5 Friar Laurence - [3.5.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-1-characterisation.md) - [3.5.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-2-key-quotes.md) - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-mercutio-nurse-and-benvolio.md) - [3.5.4 End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-4-end-of-topic-test-tybalt-and-friar-laurence.md) - [3.5.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-what-is-a-friar.md) - 3.6 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.6.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [3.6.2 Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-2-grade-9-key-characters-extract-analysis.md) ### 4 Key Themes & Concepts - 4.1 Power & Danger of Love - [4.1.1 Romeo's Loves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-1-romeos-loves.md) - [4.1.2 Friendship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-2-friendship-and-family.md) - [4.1.3 Violent Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-3-violent-love.md) - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md) - 4.2 Violence, Fate & Gender - [4.2.1 Violence, Conflict & Suicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide.md) - [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md) - [4.2.3 Fate & Destiny](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-3-fate-and-destiny.md) - [4.2.4 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-4-gender.md) - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-violence-fate-and-gender.md) - [4.2.6 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-6-grade-9-key-themes.md) - [4.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-type-of-play.md) ### 5 Writing Techniques - 5.1 Writing Techniques - [5.1.1 Language, Rhythm & Rhyme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-1-language-rhythm-and-rhyme.md) - [5.1.2 Symbolism & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-2-symbolism-and-imagery.md) - [5.1.3 Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-3-dramatic-irony-and-soliloquys.md) - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md) - [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Main Quotes by Act - [6.1.1 Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1.md) - [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md) - [6.1.3 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-3-act-3.md) - [6.1.4 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-4-act-4.md) - [6.1.5 Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-5-act-5.md) - 6.2 Main Quotes by Character - [6.2.1 Romeo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-1-romeo.md) - [6.2.2 Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-2-juliet.md) - [6.2.3 Mercutio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-3-mercutio.md) - [6.2.4 Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-4-friar-laurence.md) - [6.2.5 Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-5-nurse.md) - [6.2.6 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-6-benvolio.md) - [6.2.7 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-7-tybalt.md)