Chorus: Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows Do with their death bury their parents' strife. —Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare Reread the prologue, looking for details that provide foreshadowing. What central conflict is revealed in the prologue? What event is foreshadowed in the prologue?
Shakespeare presents, from the very beginning, the families as a dichotomy. He introduces them at the same time, and claims that both are "alike in dignity." The introduction shows that the two families are going to be the main focus of the play, and that they will be placed in contrast to each other. Shakespeare also points towards the violent resolution, by mentioning topics such as "ancient grudges," "mutinies" and "civil blood" and the "parents' strife."
Finally, he also foreshadows the death of both Romeo and Juliet, in the line "a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life."
