Extract 2 Act 1 Scene 4

Romeo: [to himself] I have a terrible feeling that something will happen tonight. Something will begin at this party, and it will bring my useless life to an early death. But there is nothing I can do about it. [Turns to his friends] Come on, then, gentlemen.

[They walk around the stage]

[Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet, Juliet, Tybalt and Nurse with all the guests. They welcome Romeo and his friends, who are all wearing masks]

Capulet: Welcome, gentlemen. I’m sure the ladies will all want to dance with you. Oh, I remember the days when I wore a mask to parties and could whisper things in a pretty lady’s ear. But not anymore. Not anymore! Anyway, you are welcome, gentlemen. Let’s have music! Clear the floor! And dance, girls!

[Music plays and they dance]

Romeo: [to a servant, pointing at Juliet] Who is that lady dancing with the man over there?

Servant: I don’t know, sir.

Romeo: [to himself] Oh, she could teach the torches³ how to burn brightly. She shines like a jewel⁴ in the night – her beauty is too precious⁵ for this earth. Next to the other women, she looks like a snowy dove in a group of crows⁶. When the dance is over, I shall watch where she stands … Did I think that I was in love before? Forget about that! For I am seeing true beauty for the first time now.

Tybalt: [Hearing Romeo’s voice] This man sounds like a Montague. [to his servant boy] Bring me my sword, boy. [Exit servant boy] [Angrily] How dare he come here, wearing a mask, to scorn⁷ our celebrations? I will kill him for this!

Capulet: [Hearing Tybalt] What’s the matter, Tybalt? What are you so angry about?

Tybalt: [Pointing at Romeo] Uncle, that man is a Montague, our enemy. The villain has come here to scorn our celebrations.

Capulet: [Looking at Romeo in his mask and suddenly recognising him] Oh, it’s young Romeo, is it?

Tybalt: Yes, it’s that villain Romeo!

Capulet: Calm down, Tybalt. Leave him alone. He seems like a very polite gentleman. In fact, I have heard from other people that he is a good young man, and very well behaved. I would never be rude to him in my own house. So leave him alone. Do what I say. Don’t look so angry.

Tybalt: It is the only way to look when one of the guests is a villain! I won’t allow it.

Capulet: [Whispering angrily] Whose house is this, mine or yours? Do what I say! ‘I won’t allow it!’ Who do you think you are? You’re going to start a fight among my guests, are you? You’re going to tell everyone what to do?

Tybalt: We should do something, Uncle.

Capulet: Oh, should we? You are a childish boy! You want to go against me, do you! You are a very rude young man. Now go quietly and be polite.

[Loudly, to the dancers, as the dance finishes] Very good, my friends!

Tybalt: I shall leave Romeo alone. But I am afraid that there will be terrible problems because he has come here tonight. [Exit Tybalt]

Romeo: [Standing next to Juliet, taking her hand, and whispering quietly in her ear] I know I should not touch your hand. It is too perfect for my rough touch.

Juliet: Good sir, you are unkind to your hand. [Nurse comes up to Juliet]

³ torches fires used to light a room

⁴ jewel valuable stone, like a diamond

⁵ precious very valuable

⁶ crows black birds

⁷ scorn make fun of

Nurse: Madam, your mother wants to speak to you.

[Juliet moves away towards her mother]

Romeo: [to Nurse] Who is her mother?

Nurse: Her mother, young man, is the lady of the house. She’s a good lady. And I am Nurse to her daughter – the young lady that you were talking to just now. [Smiles at Romeo and whispers in his ear] I tell you, the man who wins her love will have plenty of money!

Romeo: [Turning away, shocked] She is a Capulet! Now my life is in the hands of my enemy!

Benvolio: [Coming up to Romeo] Let’s go. The party is over.

Capulet: [Sees Benvolio and Romeo getting ready to go] Thank you for coming and good night, gentlemen. [to Lady Capulet and the other guests] Come on, then, let’s all go to bed. It’s very late. I must go and get some sleep.

[Exit Capulet, Lady Capulet, Romeo and his friends and the other guests]

Juliet: Come here, Nurse. [Watching the guests leaving and pointing at Romeo] Who is that gentleman – the man who wouldn’t dance?

Nurse: I don’t know.

Juliet: Go and ask his name, Nurse. [to herself] If he is married, I think I will die!

Nurse: [Coming back] His name is Romeo, and he is a Montague! He is the only son of your great enemy.

Juliet: The only man I have ever loved is from the only family I have ever hated! I fell in love with him without knowing who he is. And now it is too late. Oh, what a way to fall in love for the first time!