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“Act 1 is a play within itself” - Do you agree?




William Shakespeare’s explosive beginning to the tragedy of Romeo and
Juliet with his first act can conversely be seen as a play within itself,
exploring key events of fights, important meetings and each of the
characters traits
...


We meet Romeo’s contradicting personality, wherein he is seen as deep,
gentle and seemingly heartfelt, supported by his laments of “O”, deep
emotion, and vulnerable take on worshipping a woman with his Petrarchan
traits
...
This is conveyed
through the numerous oxymorons of turmoil Romeo uses on first
appearance, contradicting his elaborate thoughts of “heavy lightness…cold
fire, sick health
...
Furthermore this is seen with his
hyperbolic references for a love he doesn’t understand, discussing “fire, sea,
madness and gall
...
This
constantly juxtaposing portrayal of Romeo is shown to be also representing
a comedic lover who seems to fall too easily, although may be seen as just
as a desire to fulfil his sexual desires
...
In
conclusion to this point, this character development in such a short time
length may support the idea of Act 1 being a play in itself, as we see the
difference of a character so soon, usually effected and created due to plots
in a whole production
...
This includes the fight which opens the story, ‘swords and
bucklers’ at the ready at the hands of the perpetual crude Sampson and
Gregory
...
This offers the concept depth, and the idea is
seen furthermore with how explorative the characters are within scenes of
meeting them
...


In the final analysis of this concept, the depth of the scenes do offer a play in
itself to the audience
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However, we know that
Act 1 was intended to be purely that: one act happening to be the first
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