The prologue to William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is one of the most famous passages in
English literature. It sets the scene for the tragic story that follows and introduces key themes and
conflicts. Here's the prologue followed by an analysis:
Prologue
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 misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Analysis
1. Form and Structure:
- The prologue is a **sonnet**, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG)
and meter (iambic pentameter).
- The sonnet form is traditionally used for themes of love, which is fitting for "Romeo and Juliet".
2. Themes Introduced:
- Conflict and Violence: The prologue immediately sets up the idea of a longstanding feud
("ancient grudge") between two noble families ("Two households, both alike in dignity"). This feud
leads to new outbreaks of violence ("new mutiny"), suggesting an environment where peace is
fragile.
- Fate and Destiny: The lovers are described as "star-cross'd," indicating that their relationship is
doomed by fate. The term "death-mark'd love" underscores the inevitability of their tragic end.
- Love and Sacrifice: The phrase "a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life" introduces the central
love story and its tragic conclusion, suggesting that their love, while powerful, is ultimately
destructive.
- Reconciliation through Tragedy: The prologue hints that the deaths of Romeo and Juliet will
ultimately bring about a resolution to the feud ("Do with their death bury their parents' strife").
3. Narrative Function:
- The prologue serves as a **summary** of the entire play, providing the audience with a preview
of the plot and its key events. This was a common technique in Elizabethan theatre to set the stage
for the story.
- It creates a sense of **dramatic irony**, as the audience knows the fate of the characters from
the beginning, which heightens the tension as the events unfold.
4. Language and Imagery:
- The prologue uses rich and vivid imagery to evoke the setting and themes. For example, "civil
blood makes civil hands unclean" suggests both the nobility and the violence of the feuding families.
- The use of terms like "fatal loins" and "death-mark'd love" highlights the themes of fate and
mortality that permeate the play.
5. Invitation to the Audience:
- The final couplet ("The which if you with patient ears attend, / What here shall miss, our toil shall
strive to mend") invites the audience to engage with the play attentively and suggests that any gaps
or errors will be resolved through the performance.
The prologue of "Romeo and Juliet" efficiently encapsulates the essence of the play, preparing the
audience for the tragic love story and the intense emotional journey that lies ahead.
In "Romeo and Juliet," the second prologue appears at the beginning of Act II and is delivered by the
Chorus. It serves to update the audience on the events that have transpired since the end of Act I
and sets the stage for the developments to come. Here is the text of the second prologue, followed
by an analysis:
Second Prologue (Act II Chorus)
Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie,
And young affection gapes to be his heir;
That fair for which love groaned for and would die,
With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair.
Now Romeo is beloved and loves again,
Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks,
But to his foe supposed he must complain,
And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks.
Being held a foe, he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear;
And she as much in love, her means much less
To meet her new beloved anywhere.
But passion lends them power, time means, to meet
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.
Analysis
1. Form and Structure:
- Like the first prologue, the second prologue is also written as a **sonnet** with the same rhyme
scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG) and meter (iambic pentameter).
2. Themes and Motifs:
- Love and Desire: The prologue contrasts "old desire" (Romeo's infatuation with Rosaline) with
"young affection" (his newfound love for Juliet). This transition from infatuation to true love is a
central theme in the play.
- Conflict and Secrecy: Romeo and Juliet's love is complicated by their families' enmity, and they
must pursue their relationship in secret ("she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks").
- Power of Passion: The prologue highlights the intensity of their love, which gives them the
strength and ingenuity to overcome obstacles ("passion lends them power, time means, to meet").
3. Narrative Function:
- The second prologue serves as a recap of the events that have taken place and an introduction to
the upcoming act. It bridges the gap between Acts I and II, ensuring the audience is up to date with
the story's progression.
- It foreshadows the challenges the lovers will face due to their families' feud and the secret nature
of their relationship.
4. Language and Imagery:
- The imagery of "old desire doth in his death-bed lie" suggests the end of Romeo's superficial love
for Rosaline, replaced by a deeper, more genuine love for Juliet.
- The phrase "love's sweet bait from fearful hooks" evokes the idea of love as something desirable
but dangerous, reflecting the risks Romeo and Juliet must take to be together.
5. Character Development:
- This prologue marks a significant shift in Romeo's character. His love for Rosaline is depicted as
fleeting and insubstantial, while his love for Juliet is presented as profound and reciprocated.
- Juliet's equal passion and the obstacles she faces in expressing her love are also highlighted,
setting the stage for her active role in the relationship.
The second prologue effectively sets the emotional tone for Act II, emphasizing the depth of Romeo
and Juliet's love and the challenges they must navigate. It prepares the audience for the romantic
and dramatic developments that follow, while reinforcing the themes of love, conflict, and fate that
drive the play.