Dora. Does it?
Col. Are you fond of thunder—I mean fond of music? I should say are you fond of lightning? (Dora touches keys of piano mechanically.) Do play something.
Dora. No, I—I didn’t think of what I was doing. What were you talking about?
Col. About? You—me—no! About thunder—music—I mean lightning.
Dora. I’m afraid of lightning. (Act II.)[9]
The first scene of Act I of Romeo and Juliet is full of interesting physical action—quarrels, fighting, and the halting of the fight by the angry Prince. The physical action, however, characterizes in every instance, from the servants of the two factions to Tybalt, Benvolio, the Capulets, the Montagues, and the Prince. Moreover, this interesting physical action, which is all the more interesting because it characterizes, is interesting in the third place because in every instance it helps to an understanding of the story. It shows so intense an enmity between the two houses that even the servants cannot meet in the streets without quarreling. By its characterization it prepares for the parts Benvolio and Tybalt are to play in later scenes. It motivates the edict of banishment which is essential if the tragedy of the play is to occur.
SCENE 1. Verona. A public place
Enter Sampson and Gregory, of the house of Capulet, with swords and bucklers
Sampson. Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals.
Gregory. No, for then we should be colliers.