Romeo And Juliet Act 1 Scene 4 Analysis

Shakespeare begins Act 1, Scene 4 at the Great Hall in Capulet’s Mansion. Capulet welcomes the “gentlemen” (1.4.129) among his guests, as well as of the readers, to his celebration. His commanding of attention immediately demonstrates his high status in the play. Capulet’s repeated greeting to the men specifically establishes the time period of the play; the time when the role of the woman was to “walk about with” (1.4.130) men at parties. This passage is crucial in the play as a whole, including key features of the dramatic structure and exploring thematic issues of the play.

Capulet reminisces on his “dancing days” (1.4.143) with his cousin, indicating his older age whilst recollecting on the masks they used to wear. The repetition of

This is prominently portrayed through the Montagues being at the Capulet party. Romeo first laying eyes upon Juliet is the inciting incident in

Romeo’s first sighting of Juliet is linked to Tybalt realizing Romeo, a Montague, is at the Capulet party. Tybalt is outraged that a Montague should dare gatecrash the party and believes it would not be a sin to “strike him dead” (1.4.172). It is apparent love cannot escape the society and social conventions surrounding it. Tybalt recognizing Romeo as a Montague sparks the rising action in the dramatic structure of the play. Tybalt is adamant that Romeo be punished for trespassing and will not “endure him” (1.4.189). This foreshadows the difficulty Romeo and Juliet will have due to their opposing families and the pain they will go through to be together. Much to Tybalt’s shock, Capulet thinks of Romeo as a “portly gentleman” (1.4.179) and reminds his nephew that “Verona brags of him” (1.4.180). This reveals Capulet’s respect of Verona and shows he is thinking of the repercussions on his head of house position. Capulet’s positivity gives hope to the readers, Shakespeare is encouraging us to think that Juliet’s father will allow her to be with Romeo, as Capulet permitted him to remain at the party. Capulet’s frustration with his nephew also sets in motion Tybalt’s doomed fate in the future of the play. Capulet warns him not to “make a mutiny among [his] guests” (1.4.193) foreshadowing the conflict Tybalt will cause by eventually murdering