Skip to main content

Why was Lady Montague happy that Romeo was not involved in the fight?

In the opening act of Shakespeare's Romeo and Julieta fight breaks out in the streets of Verona sparked by the insults of the Capulet servants, exacerbated by Tybalt who claims he hates peace and the Montagues as he threatens to kill Benvolio. The brawl spreads as Lord Capulet and Lord Montague call for their swords. Soon, Prince Escalus, the sovereign of Verona, comes on the scene and breaks up the violence. He is obviously...

In the opening act of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet a fight breaks out in the streets of Verona sparked by the insults of the Capulet servants, exacerbated by Tybalt who claims he hates peace and the Montagues as he threatens to kill Benvolio. The brawl spreads as Lord Capulet and Lord Montague call for their swords. Soon, Prince Escalus, the sovereign of Verona, comes on the scene and breaks up the violence. He is obviously angry at his unruly subjects and tells them that he will impose the death penalty on any who "disturb our streets again." After the altercation, Lord and Lady Montague and Benvolio are left. As Benvolio describes the situation and the actions of the "fiery Tybalt," Lady Montague inquires about the whereabouts of her son Romeo and expresses her happiness that he was not caught up in the fighting:




O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.



Because men were apparently injured and the action intense, she was grateful that her only son was not involved. Later, however, Romeo cannot escape the feud and in Act III, Scene 1 is involved in a bloody conflict which takes the lives of Mercutio and Tybalt.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...