Romeo And Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 Translation

Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 Translation

The opening clash between the Capulet and Montague servants sets the tone for Shakespeare’s tragedy, revealing the deep‑seated feud that will drive the lovers to their fate. Understanding a Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1 translation helps modern readers grasp the Elizabethan language, the social tensions of Verona, and the thematic seeds of hatred, honor, and impulsive violence that blossom throughout the play. Below you will find the original text, a clear modern‑English rendering, a line‑by‑line breakdown, and an exploration of the scene’s significance.

Original Text (Folger Shakespeare Library)

SAMPSON:
 Gregory, o’ my word, we’ll not carry coals.
**

TYBALT:
 What, drawn, and talk of peace? Think about it: **

Enter Citizens with clubs

FIRST CITIZEN:
 Clubs, bills, and partisans! On the flip side, **

**They fight. Worth adding: >
SAMPSON:
 I strike quickly, being moved. **

**Have at thee, coward!And >
**Turn, Benvolio, look upon thy death. >
GREGORY:
 No, for then we should be colliers.
In practice, >
**Put up your swords; you know not what you do. >
GREGORY:
 Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o’ the collar.
strike! Think about it: >
GREGORY:
 To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand;

SAMPSON:
 Because of this, if thou art moved, thou runn’st away. >
CAPULET:
 My sword, I say! beat them down!
I hate the word,

**As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.Gregory, remember thy washing‑bottle.

Enter CAPULET, with his Lady, and others

CAPULET:
 What noise is this? In real terms, why call you for a sword? This leads to what, ho! **

BENVOLIO:
 I do but keep the peace. Plus, put up thy sword,

**Or manage it to part these men with me. Give me my long sword, ho!
Consider this: >
Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his Train

PRINCE:
 Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,

Profaners of this neighbour‑stained steel,—

**Will they not hear? That said, **

Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,

By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,

Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets,

If ever you disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. Think about it: >
SAMPSON:
 Ay, boy, ready. 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.>
LADY CAPULET:
 A crutch, a crutch! Old Montague is come,

**And flourishes his blade in spite of me.So ]

Enter BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO:
 Part, fools! Think about it: **

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. Still, >
SAMPSON:
 [They fight. >
LADY MONTAGUE:
 Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe.

SAMPSON:
 I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw.

Enter ABRAHAM and Balthasar, servants to Montague

SAMPSON:
 Draw, if you be men. So naturally, >
SAMPSON:
 A dog of the house of Montague moves me. **

Enter TYBALT

TYBALT:
 What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?

GREGORY:
 My washing‑bottle?
Even so, >
GREGORY:
 But thou art not quickly moved to strike. **

Enter MONTAGUE and his Lady

MONTAGUE:
 Thou villain Capulet,—hold me not, let me go.
**

**Exeunt.

Modern Translation

SAMPSON:
 Greg