ACT I | RandJ1

JULIET

Today has been such a whirlwind! First, while I was in my quarters, Mother proposed the idea of a proposal to me! I told her “It is an honor I dream not of,” because I didn’t want to disappoint her. I don’t know if I’d quite like the idea of a marriage yet, because I think it would be nice to have a husband, but I don’t know if I’m ready. Then, she told me that there was a man, Paris, that I should look to like, but I told her that “I’ll look to like if looking liking move.” I don’t know if she understood, but really, I think I enjoy the idea of a romance. I want to like someone, but I don’t want to force myself to. If I feel attracted, then I will look to like him. Then my father had thrown a party for some weird reason (probably because he wanted me to meet Paris) but I meet the most wonderful man while it happen. Everything happen so fast when I was with him and the next thing you know he’s kissing me! I actually enjoyed it. I then told him “You kiss by the book” for he seem to be one who practiced it for it was the most amazing kiss I ever had. However it had to come to an end when my Nurse had called me over but after she pulled me away from him I ask her who he was. She had said his name was Romeo but that he was a Montague. When she left I said to myself “My only love, sprung from my only hate!” for the one person I had feelings for is the biggest rival of my family.

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STATUS: “It is an honor that I dream not of”

REPLY: me 2, grl, me 2. i live over in Florence and my parents r trying 2 marry me off as well and it is sooo stupid, u know? like obvi, its beneficial 4 my family and its a super huge honor to get married, but i’m just not ready. like u and me both r just waiting 4 the right guy cuz like i’m super into love, and i feel like u are 2. anyways hun, i wish u the best of luck with ur montague boy. xoxo, sara <3

STATUS: “You kiss by the book”

REPLY: I wish my first kiss was as perfect as you describe yours! Like i can relate to u reading books in order to have a perfect kiss bc im curious as well but ig my partner should have read that book as well. XD but tbh i think how you describe Romeo when you kissed him and after is as if ur in loveeee with him and I hope u can get him soon too girrrlll. Hope everything goes well ttyl!

STATUS: “My only love, sprung from my only hate!”

REPLY: Oml, same here, I once had the same problem and it felt like “Twilight” and I didn’t know who to choose, but I am always here to support you babe just know that our emotions are connected and you can come to me for advice anytime, you should just follow your heart and believe me it would take you someplace magnificent anyways let me tell you about the whole “twilight” thing it was basically just a feud between my dad and my boyfriend’s dad when they first met and I was forced to not see him again, but he was my soulmate and we met in secret afterwards I had enough and I had confronted my dad and I made him accept my relationship so even if you think you’re powerless there’s always a way to help yourself.<3

STATUS: “I’ll look to like if looking liking move.”

REPLY: Hey Juliet! I honestly really understand where you’re coming from because my parents want me to have an arranged marriage. They have this whole list of suitors they have picked for me and I can’t say who I like until I see them in person. But I honestly don’t know because they first have to interest me, not to be awkward, and they gotta have good looks. But the thing is I want to find someone myself who really interests me.

the NURSE

Today I saw my precious Juliet with the only son of Lord Montague and Lady Montague Romeo. I don’t know what she was thinking, but she looked very happy with the boy. If he is the one she chooses to love instead of Paris she has my support even though I can’t say that the journey will be easy. I love Juliet and I see her as my own daughter. I’ve been with Juliet for most of her life and care very deeply about her. After my dear Susan died, I decided to lend a hand to Lady Capulet and care for her daughter Juliet who was around the same age as my daughter when she passed. When Juliet was just a baby I was the one who breast fed her and looked after her. All I want is for Juliet to be happy. I want her to receive genuine love and affection for the rest of her life. Because of this, I am willing to support Juliet in all that she does in order for her to achieve happiness in life. Juliet’s wedding day, if I live to see it, will be a very happy day for me. This day is also the day where she can be with the one she loves night after night and prepare for her stomach to get bigger and conceive a child, finally. I want Juliet to someday have someone good looking who she can love in more ways than one. If Romeo is the one I will help guide her on her journey so long as she doesn’t do anything too stupid that might cause her harm.

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STATUS: “Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour” (R&J, I: iii ln 12).

REPLY: I know Juliet so well, I mean who could possibly spend so many years with such a lovely girl

and not memorize everything about her. I’ve breast-fed her and raised her as my own. I’ve been with her every morning and night day after day. I can tell you how old she is to the seconds. My dear Juliet, I know everything about you from the hour you were born to the many hours you’ve been alive. All of this is because you are very precious to me. I see you as my own daughter and will never regret raising you. Your life brings light unto mine.

STATUS: “A man, young lady! Lady, such a man as all the world- why he's a man of wax” (R&J ,I: iii ln 76 -77).

REPLY: When I said this Lady Capulet and I were talking about marriage to Juliet. I believe that Paris is the perfect man for Juliet and that there has never been anyone as perfect in Verona for her that she can safely love. I approve of Paris and will be very pleased if Juliet chooses to marry him. I will be very happy when Juliet is finally able to spend long nights with her beloved husband who she truly loves. After all, Juliet’s happiness is what I desire most of all.

STATUS: “No less? Nay, bigger! Women grow by men” (R&J, I: iii ln 96).

REPLY: After Lady Capulet, Juliet, and I had the discussion about Juliet’s opinion of marrying Paris, Lady Capulet goes on to say that if Juliet marries Paris she will have everything that he has and will lose nothing. This made me laugh as I said that beautiful Juliet will not grow less but grow bigger as she gets pregnant when she marries Paris and spends day and night with him doing what lovers do.

STATUS: "Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days” (R&J, I: iii ln 106).

REPLY: I completely support Juliet in anything she does that will help her find true happiness. I will always support her and her decisions in deciding who the one she loves is. Whether this be Paris or the Montague Romeo I saw her with at the end of Lord Capulet’s party. If she decides she wants to be with Romeo I will do all I can to help her succeed. If being with him will make her days and nights happier then so be it. If I can lend a hand in helping Juliet become a happy bride and a more beautiful woman I will not pass up in this opportunity and help her because this is what I always wanted for my dear, sweet Juliet.

PARIS

Today, I went to see Capulet about acquiring Juliet’s hand in marriage. I was hoping to

gain permission to begin wooing her, but he claimed that I should wait for two more summers to pass by before courting her. I am eager to start wooing fair Juliet, but I must abide by Capulet’s will. I cannot risk losing his blessing. I suppose I could wait two more summers, but think of all the men that might steal her heart in that time! I even have cousins who have married younger maidens than she! She is also quite fair and kind, and many a man would not hesitate to try and take her as a wife. However, I must trust Capulet. He would not let another man steal her away like that. Juliet is his only daughter, and I suppose it makes sense for him to be a little protective.

Speaking of Juliet, Capulet suggested that I come to the feast that he would be holding later that evening. Capulet told me to come see Juliet as she stood with the fairest ladies in Verona and that perhaps that would change my mind about courting her. I am quite certain that even if one were to line up all the fair maidens and compare them with Juliet, none of them would hold a candle to her beauty. But, Capulet insisted, and any ball that Capulet arranges is bound to be a good one.

And so I went to the masquerade ball. It was quite an event! The ball was extravagant and Capulet had really outdone himself. I enjoyed dancing and the whole thing was very lively. I only regret not seeing more of Juliet. I caught a glimpse of her at the feast, however she was swallowed by a swarm of masked guests. Later, I saw her dancing with this masked man that I couldn’t quite identify. His name is just on the tip of my tongue. Romulus? Remus? Perhaps his name was Rodrigue? Either way, I soon lost sight of Juliet and the mysterious masked man, and when I went to look for them the festivities had already ended. I may not have been able to really have a nice, long conversation with Juliet yet, but there is plenty of time to do so. Two summers worth of time, in fact. Overall, the day was quite wonderful. The feast was fabulous and the music was marvellous. Everyone seemed to be having a spectacular time, but Tybalt did seem a little more sour than usual though. It was as if he heard something really unpleasant.

Nothing exciting happened afterwards and it is getting late. I should go to sleep soon. I am a busy man, and I cannot afford to wake up late tomorrow. I have things to do, plans to make and towers to build. Well that will be all for tonight. I can feel my tired brain and limbs are pulling me towards a hopefully deep and restful sleep.

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STATUS: “Of honorable reckoning are you both, And pity ‘tis you lived at odds so long. But now, my lord,

what say you to my suit?”(R&J, I:ii ln. 4-6)

REPLY: This quotation shows that Paris is trying to kind of influence Capulet's decision. He agrees with Capulet’s past statement and plays along until he sees that he can bring up his thoughts about marrying Juliet. His words seem to imply that he is trying to gain Capulet's favor. It's like he's trying to get close to Juliet's father for the sake of marrying her.

STATUS: “Younger than she are happy mothers made.”(R&J, I:ii ln. 12)

REPLY: Here, Paris states that he has seen younger girls that have already been married. He uses this statement to justify his eagerness to marry Juliet. He is trying to persuade Capulet to get her to marry earlier, but subtly.

PRINCE Escalus

Greetings my peeps! It’s me, your prince. And it’s been a horrific day, so I have quite the rant prepared for you, so buckle up everyone it’s going to get rough. Literally.

As the local leader of Verona, it is obviously my responsibility to keep the streets safe and make sure the people are peaceful right? And folks are suppose to respect the laws and declarations I make right? Right? Anyways what is really bothering me today is that I get word that the Montagues and Capulets are having their THIRD row and I am fed up. This two old, greasy men have been at it forever, and when they fight it gets bloody and gruesome fast. You know the deal. Swords out, guts everywhere. Gross. I can’t have that going on or else I’d be a terrible leader. Besides, you have to pity the neighbors, they probably haven’t slept since the Crusades.

The mark of a true leader is their ability to take action, so that’s exactly what I did. I marched into the middle of the fray and did what I had to do. I issued a large and imposing speech, denouncing these old hounds for disrupting the peace of this town for the third time. And let me tell you, I was beyond mad at this point. I was pissed off. These old dudes had been acting like children! Picking fights over such little things! So I threatened them. I told them that if they didn’t keep the peace I would cut their heads off. I had Capulet come with me immediately after I yelled at them. I told him privately to just wait it out, Old Montague will die off eventually. And then I took Montague aside later and told him the same thing. They understood immediately that it wasn’t worth it to keep bickering when one of them will eventually die off. I won this one boys. Prince-1 Montague/Capulet-0. So to everyone in Verona: You’re welcome.

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STATUS: “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,—Will they not hear? What, ho! you men, you beasts,That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground,And hear the sentence of your moved prince” (Prince, L.75-81, P.186).

REPLY: The Prince arrives at the scene of the brawl and tries to stop the two sides from fighting. The Prince says that if they don't put down their weapons they will be tortured.

STATUS: “Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” (Prince, L.82-90, P.186).

REPLY: Prince Escalus states that the Capulets and the Montagues have had 3 other fights and have disturbing the peace in Verona. The Prince says that if they disturb the peace again, he will kill them.

STATUS: “For this time, all the rest depart away: You Capulet; shall go along with me: And, Montague, come you this afternoon, To know our further pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart” (Prince, L.91-96, P.186).

REPLY: The Prince tells Old Capulet and Montague to come see him separately at Freetown for further counseling. Then he tells everyone to leave or he will kill them.

CAPULET

I believe that things happen for a reason and that it leads to many changes. It can be good or bad. When my house of Capulet, had a fight with the house of Montague it lead to a death penalty placed over both of our rivaling houses by Prince Escalus. He thought it would have brought an era of peace but it lead to change. To some people the change could be good or bad but to me it was horrible. Everything has changed. My only child, Juliet is growing day by day. When I was asked for Juliet’s hand in marriage I knew things would change. Knowing that she will soon be wed slightly broke my heart thinking that my only daughter left will soon be old enough to be married. I had to seem like I liked the idea but, the sadness overthrew me like a blanket covering the well-made bed in my daughter’s bedroom. This boy, Paris, he is a fine young man but I want him to see what I see in my lovely Juliet, I want him to see her at the party and see how beautiful she is compared to all the other women in the land. The only thing that would break my heart is seeing poor Juliet in an unhappy marriage. Love to me is the flame to all of the candles in the chapel showing happiness and light, my Juliet being the lightened chapel showing the hidden beautiful art of her personality. If she gets married in two years it will be my fault if a part of her dies with the forced marriage or it might have desired effects of love that shines brightly in the chapel of her mind and soul. As my responsibility, I have to prepare her so she will be ready in two summers. And it will be the last two summers of Juliet being my one and only daughter and she will soon turn into the beautiful young woman she is destined to be.

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STATUS: “My sword, I say! Old Montague is come and flourishes his blade in spite of me” (R&J I: i lines 70-71).

REPLY: This quote demonstrates that Capulet wouldn’t hesitate to fight his enemies if they deliberately try to harm or provoke him. It shows that Capulet’s character is peaceful in nature but will be violent towards people/things he sees as a threat, as shown in the play. He will not stand for the tarnishment of his House of Capulet.

STATUS: “My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years; let two more summers wither in their pride ere we may think her ripe to be a bride” (R&J I: ii lines 8-11).

REPLY: This quote demonstrates that Capulet is attempting to fulfil his filial duties toward his child by making sure she is aware of the actuality and the truth about what the actual world is like rather than the fantasies she has come to know throughout her childhood. Because of this concern, Capulet suggests Paris to wait for two more summers until she is more aware.

STATUS: “Amount fresh female buds shall you this night inherit at my house. Hear all, all see, and like her most whose merit most shall be; Which, on more view of many, mine, being one, May stand in number, though in reck’ning none” (R&J I: ii lines 29:33).

REPLY: This quote demonstrates that Capulet has a careful temperament towards the people he cares about. He wants to gather all the young women in Verona to test Paris and his feelings towards Juliet. Capulet wants to make sure Paris is ready to take the final step towards adulthood, which is marriage; and realize the heavy implication of the duty and responsibilities of marriage, especially considering the fact that Paris hopes to marry Juliet. Capulet shows the concern and the fatherly love he feels for Juliet because he wants Juliet to live in happiness with a husband that will sincerely love her and treat her well.

STATUS: “He shall be endured l. What, Goodman boy. I say he shall. Go to! Am I the master here, or you? Go to! You’ll not endure him? God shall mend my soul! You’ll make a munity amoung my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop! You’ll be the man” (R&J I: iiiii lines 74-79).

REPLY: This quote shows that Capulet doesn’t want to ill-treat his guest no matter the enmity he or his house has with them. It demonstrates that he is a reasonable man because he could ignore grudges in desperate situations and that he is a prideful man. He reacts in an anger-filled manner when someone disrespects his authority. It also shows that he won’t tolerate any disrespect toward his authority as the patriarch of the House of Capulet. Capulet is shown as a very honorable and prideful man.

HELLO,

MY NAME

IS CAPULET

WHAT'S ON MY MIND

ROMEO

BENVOLIO

About a few days ago my companions and I ran into the Capulets. They started to put up their swords and so did we. Tybalt on the other hand had no intention of stopping this commotion, all he wanted to do was fight. I told him that we can resolve this in peace, but he thought otherwise. I am a peaceful person, but my men and I had no choice but to fight them since they would not stop fighting. After all the fighting, the prince showed up, but he was not happy. He gave us a warning that if we ever engage in another fight, we shall be killed. After a few minutes my coz, Romeo showed up and looked all depressed and empty. I asked his what was bothering him, and his response was love. His first first love was Rosaline and she was notswayed by Romeo’s wealth nor his love. I care about Romeo and don’t like seeing him all sadand dull, so I told him that he should look at other women and see if he has any affection or lovetoward them. I don’t know what that feels like because I never experienced such a love. But the way Romeo describes it, I feel like I know all about it. In my opinion I think love can’t bestraight forward the one you love has to love you back, in order for it to be called love. I also know that love can be dangerous, have you seen Romeo his heart broke and he’s a new person now. A sad, depressed Romeo that doesn’t like to talk much and if he does it’s about love. Even though I haven’t experienced such a love, I feel like I know a lot about it. I might not be thesmartest, but I do know how to fix up a situation.

Two days ago, Romeo and I were walking in the streets when a servant came up to Romeo and asked if he can read. Romeo joked around a bit but told the servant that he can read and said the names of the Capulet's party list. He asked where this party is taking place andservant replied in the house of the Capulet’s. That is when it hit me. I told Romeo that we shouldcrash the party and see if there if any women there that he has interest him. He started to think otherwise but I pushed him into going to the party. After he finds his new love, his old love of Rosaline will fade away as time favors a new hour. I want Romeo to be happy and full of excitement so that his dark side does not get the best of him. I always do what I feel is right.

Yesterday Romeo, Mercutio and I have arrived at the Capulet’s party and would onlystay for a bit then leave. Before we entered the party, Mercutio starts to talk about his nonsense intellect. He tells Romeo that he should not be too serious with his dreams because dreams are just children of an idle brain. The dreams that lovers, lawyers, ladies, and courtiers dream about are that of the work of Mab the queen of the fairies. Romeo and I said that Mercutio talks of nothing and the things he said were false. He then talked about how dreams differentiate the real world from imagination and farther away you are from reality, the closer you are to your imagination. I told him that dreams only come from yourself. All this talking about dreams made Romeo more worried about himself about love and fears that something terrible would begin at the party.

We have arrived at the party and Mercutio and I started to look around. Romeo on the other hand already had his eyes set on this one girl. It was nice to see that Romeo was all well again and has found a new love. It made me feel good about myself and how I can help others. I felt i was important for Romeo to find his true love and it would have never happened if it wasn’tmy idea to crash the Capulet's party. On that very night Romeo meet the love of his life and would never set his eyes on another beauty except her. I like to call myself a kind, good friend for helping Romeo when he needed a friend the most. I’d like to say that I helped Romeo find thelove of his life Juliet.

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STATUS: “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me”(R&J, I:i In.61-62).

REPLY: The fiery Tybalt has again intertwined within the fight. He has no control in his anger over the Montagues and only thinks about fighting and killing us. I told Tybalt to put down his sword and we can resolve this problem by peace without causing another conflict or else my men and I will kill you.

STATUS: “I’ll pay the doctrine, or else die in dept” (R&J, I:i In.231).

REPLY: Romeo is feeling depressed because his first love, Rosaline has no interest in him. He tried to bribe her with his wealth and love but she still rejected him. I had expressed my sympathy for him and tried to cheer him up but his feelings and emotions still got the best of him. My only possible solution to his love problem was to look at other women and see if he has any interest in their beauties. Romeo doubted my idea because his only focus was still on Rosaline but I was certain he was wrong and else I would've died trying.

STATUS: “This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves. Supper is done and we shall come too late” (R&J, I:i In.104-105).

REPLY: Mercutio talked about how Romeo is taking his dreams too seriously. He then talkedabout how Mab the queen of the fairies goes into people’s heads and starts to make them imagine about their greatest desires or faithful misfortunes. Romeo thinks that Mercutio speaks of nothing and his words are false. Mercutio was still trying to keep Romeo away from his dreams and so he told him that dreams have no reality and change over time in different forms. The metaphor that Mercutio uses to explain dreams to Romeo splits us apart from reality and imagination. The more the wind blows, the farther away we are from reality and the incapability of having a conscious thought. Apart from the conversation, the party was about to begin.

This is madness! Why is life so unfair? I've literally done nothing wrong in my life, except for being devastatingly handsome. All I want is a girl who can love me, but not like this! Why am I cursed like this? Perhaps I should explain what happened: While I was totally not "crying" over Rosaline, like Benvolio said I was, Mercutio snuck me into a Capulet party, which invited everyone in Verona except for the Montagues. Rude, right? Anyway, he believes the best remedy to a broken heart is to basically look at other girls. Apparently the party invited the “most beautiful girls in Verona,” but I didn’t even notice them. The only beauty that caught my eye was Juliet. She was like a shining light amidst the dark night sky. So bright that she could blind a man. Ok wow that was really extra, but you get the point. So being the stud I am, I swept her off her feet. Ok, I didn’t actually do that, but I did score some kisses. But to get back to my current dilemma, I was told by Juliet’s servant(?) that the Lady Capulet is her mother, meaning that she is a Capulet. She is my family's sworn enemy! What the heck am I supposed to do now? Tell my dad that, “Oh hey, I'm in love with the Capulet’s daughter. You know, THE Capulet, the guy you hate the most in the entire world?” Ha, no thanks. Even if she's a Capulet, that doesn’t make me love her less. I need to see her again, talk to her, kiss her, whatever. But if I try anything too reckless, I will literally get my butt-kicked out of Verona from the Capulets AND the Montagues. Good thing I got a brain and two sneaky friends. I don't know what to do next, but I'll write later.

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STATUS: “Out of her favor where I am in love.”(R&J Ii ln.161)

REPLY: In this quote, Romeo is telling Benvolio how he is in love with Rosaline who doesn’t love him back.

STATUS: “Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes / with nimble soles; I have a soul of lead / So stakes me to the ground I cannot move.”(R&J Iiv ln. 14-16)

REPLY: So in this quote, Romeo keeps on talking about how sad he is because Rosaline didn’t love him back. This is important because it shows how desperate Romeo was to find love and what love can do to a person.

STATUS:

“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear –

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with the crows
As yonder lady o’er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I’ll watch her place of stand
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love til now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”(R&J Iv ln. 42-51)

REPLY: In this quote, Romeo is being crystallized by Juliet’s beauty and is complimenting her beauty. This quote is important because Romeo finds his true love at this moment.

TYBALT

It is I the Great and Mighty Tybalt Nephew to Capulet. So I’ve had an exciting day. So

first there was a fight on the street between a few Montagues and Capulets but stupid Benvolio wanted to break up the fight. He’s such an idiot. Anyway I pull out my sword and decide to fight him instead even though he wanted to make peace. The fight was so much fun until the Prince came and threatened if we ever did it again we would be threatened with death. What am I going to do if I can’t fight the Montagues. Later my Uncle Capulet threw a party for my cousin Juliet to get her to fall in love with this guy Paris, but when I was there I noticed Romeo. I could not believe it Romeo son of Montague was there. When I went to go fight him my Uncle stopped me and said that I couldn’t ruin his party with a fight. I don’t know what his problem is, I thought he hates Montagues too, but whatever he’s the stupid one. Anyway I am definitely going to go fight those Montagues for crashing that party tomorrow.

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STATUS: “What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee coward!”(R&J, I:i, ln 63-65)

REPLY: Tybalt from Romeo in Juliet could easily be seen as the main antagonist because he is just looking to fight and kill the Montagues. He seems very full of himself and thinks that a fight is always the answer because he is the greatest. When Benvolio asks to try to stop the fight between the two families with him he laughs and decides to fight Benvolio instead. This quote shows our first look at Tybalt and shows what his character is like. Out of anyone Tybalt most likely the biggest fan of this feud because it allows him to fight his enemies.

STATUS: “This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave come hither, covered with anantic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin.” (R&J, I:v, ln 52-57)

REPLY: Tybalt recognizes Romeo at the party by the sound of his voice and immediately whips out his sword before Capulet stops him. Tybalt always ignores the fact that fighting a Montague will get himself punished with death. When Capulet tells Tybalt that he may not go fight Romeo Tybalt is furious. Capulet doesn’t want Tybalt to ruin his party or to get killed for fighting a Montague.