Unit 4: The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Act 1

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.

Old Montague is come,
And flourishes his blade in spite of me.

What ho, you men, you beasts!
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins

Here were the servants of your adversary,
And yours, close fighting ere I did approach.

Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs

I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied.

Why, such is love’s transgression.

For beauty starv’d with her severity
Cuts beauty off from all posterity.