Act I, Scene i
In this scene, the hatred between the house Capulet and the house Montague is shown. Members of these two houses fight each other for no other reason than that they hate one another. The people involved in the fight are Sampson, Gregory, and Tybalt on the side of Capulet, and Abram, Balthasar, and Benvolio on the side of Montague. Lord and Lady of each house were also present, but did not fight because of intervention by the Prince. The Prince breaks up the fight and tells everyone to go home except Lord and Lady Capulet, who he tells to come with him so that he may speak with them about how the feud is causing too many problems in the city and that they had better cut it out if they value their lives. The Prince also asks that Lard and lady Montague go to him later this afternoon so that he can talk with them as well.
Everyone then leaves the scene except Lord and Lady Montague and Benvolio, who start talking about Romeo and the dark mood that he is in. Benvolio offers to talk to Romeo to see if he can find out what's wrong. Romeo enters and Lord and Lady exit. Benvolio talks to Romeo and finds out that he is so dark because he loves a girl that does not love him, and she has also taken a vow of chastity. Benvolio listens and then tells Romeo that he should just start looking at other beautiful women to take his mind off of this one. Romeo says he cannot, but Benvolio won?t rest until he does.
Act I, Scene ii
The scene begins with Paris asking Lord Capulet for Juliet's hand in marriage. Lord Capulet balks at his offer and says that Juliet is too young to be married, but he will consent if Paris can get Juliet to love him. At this, Capulet invites Paris to a party he?s throwing and says that maybe Paris will change his mind and not want to marry Juliet after he sees some of the other beauties. He then sends out a servant with a list of guests and tells him to invite them to the party. The servant, being illiterate, happens upon Romeo and Benvolio and asks them to read the list for him. Because of this, Romeo and Benvolio learn that Rosaline, Romeo?s love, will be attending the party. They decide to sneak in to the party and have a little fun. Romeo wants to see Rosalie and Benvolio wants to show Romeo some of the other beautiful women so he will forget about Rosaline.
Act I, Scene iii
Juliet says that she does not want to get married right now. Her mother and nurse try to convince her that Paris is a suitable husband and that she should marry him. They comment on how handsome he is and compliment his personality. In the end, Juliet consents to looking to see if she can ever love Paris.
Act I, Scene iv
Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio are on their way to the Capulet's home for a party. They are uninvited guests and are going so that Romeo can get his mind off of Rosaline. On the way there, Benvolio and Mercutio make fun of Romeo's fascination and try to tell him to get over her, but Romeo won't listen to a word they're saying.
Act I, Scene v
Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio join in the Capulet's party uninvited. Lord Capulet is willing to let them stay as long as they do not cause any trouble and act like gentlemen. He does this mainly because of what the Prince talked to him about earlier in the day. Tybalt is not so accepting however. He wants to go stick a sword in Romeo's gut and almost does but is stopped by his lord. Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time and fall instantly in love, only to discover that each is a blood enemy of the other. They kiss, promise to meet again, then Romeo escapes into the night before Tybalt gets too lusty for battle.
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