Romeo and Juliet (Grades 9–1) York Notes

The fight at the start of this play sets the scene for the deaths that follow. The ‘ancient grudge’ (Prologue 3) only dies after the young lovers do.

Shakespeare uses images of light to illustrate how love shines out against the darkness of conflict but when Romeo is banished the lovers’ light seems to fade.

Romeo and Juliet’s love is romantic but the Nurse refers to physical love and Lady Capulet suggests marriage should be about money and status.

The Montague and Capulet parents are unwilling to heal the ‘ancient grudge’ but the young Romeo and Juliet follow their feelings rather than what is expected of them.

The Prologue suggests that Romeo and Juliet are fated to fall in love and then die and so the audience are aware of the inevitability of their deaths.