in the prologue to Romeo and Juliet the chorus delivers a sonnet describing two noble households in Verona Italy the Capulets and Montague's have an ancient grudge which remains the cause of a violent conflict the chorus tells the audience what is going to happen in the play children from the two houses will fall in love but commit suicide from forth the fatal loins of these two foes a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life the act begins with servants of the feuding households fighting in public Sampson and Gregory of the Capulets provoke toon Montague servants than both ago a kinsman to Montague draws his sword to stop them Tibbits a Capulet sees this and draws his sword to fight Benvolio exclaiming how he hates peace soon the citizens of Verona come to try to stop the feud finally Lord Capulet and Lord Montague arrive with their wives the old enemies draw their swords but before they can act the prince enters and stops them the prince threatens to execute anyone who breaks the peace again lady Montague turns to Benvolio and asks for news regarding her son Romeo who has been sulking and hiding from his family and friends leaving them concerned as they discuss his unusual behavior Benvolio sees Romeo approaching he promises lady Montague he will find out what is bothering Romeo Romeo arrives and tells Benvolio he is in love with Rosaline who does not love him back Benvolio tries to comfort Romeo and tells him that they can find other women Romeo assures him he could love no one else the prologue and first scene of the play set the plot on a course to its dismal end the chorus suggests that love will find its way but not before hate and violence storm through the emphasis on the topic of love reveals that the play will probe love in all of its complexities as it does however violence and hate will escalate the servants argument shows how deep-seated the family rivalry is and their insults they talk of murdering and raping members of the opposing house this introduces the theme of violence which will be a central theme and topic of the plague the theme points to the fact that hatred is infectious and its source is human weakness furthermore it foreshadows events that show that hatred can be stronger than love ominously it requires the government representing justice and the law to intervene when Romeo arrives the scene subject shifts from hate to love even though he was not a part of the fight his internal state reflects the fighters battered exteriors he is an emotional turmoil [Music]