The Prologue
Two households both alike in dignity
Shakespeare opens his sonnet exploring the things both the families have in common. They are equal in society, they have the same social standing and wealth. They should be good friends – what can come between these two families?
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene
The setting is Verona, which Shakespeare describes as ‘fair’ beautiful. They live in an idyllic setting, so there is nothing in the environment to alarm the reader.
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny
Shakespeare hints at the way the conflict started, ‘from ancient grudge’. The reason for the conflict is never revealed in the play, but the reader is aware it has continued from generation to generation. It could be religion, race, politics, etc.
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
The conflict is not from outside Verona it is within. Violence erupts so regularly, which leads to injury or worse death. Everyone is drawn into conflict, servants, men, women, and children. Everyone in Verona must choose a side.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
Two children are born in this turbulent and violent society, and both are destined to fall in love. They are both going to be tarnished by the feud that has destroyed the peace in Verona.
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life
The children of the enemies fall in love, but their love is not strong enough to overcome the hate in Verona. The only solution they can find is suicide which suggests the lovers faced insurmountable obstacles to their attempts to be together.
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows doth with their death bury their parents’ strife.
The tragedy in the play is that the conflict only comes to an end when the children of the feuding parents are dead. Love does eventually conquer hate, but only after tragic consequences. The audience will be engaged in the events in the play because the young lovers are destined to die. They can’t escape their fate.
The Chorus/Shakespeare asks his audience to watch and listen carefully to how the events will unfold. He has given the audience a detailed and concise summary of the play without revealing the how and why the tragedy unfolds with such dire consequences.
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