Prince Escalus

Prince Escalus:

• The Prince of Verona who has the power of the law of Verona behind him: he makes and enforces the rules.

• Level-headed and fair, the prince is concerned with keeping Verona safe for all its citizens

• He is an imposing man who nonetheless struggles to control the violent, unruly members of House Montague and House Capulet as they feud and brawl endlessly in Verona’s streets, spilling blood and disturbing the peace.

• At the very start, in Act 1 scene 1, Prince Escalus warns both houses several times of the punishments they’ll endure if they continue fighting.

• In Act 3 scene 1, The Prince punishes Romeo for killing Tybalt with permanent banishment from Verona. Romeo is spared the death penalty as it is clear he didn't initiate the fight.

• In the end, when Romeo and Juliet are found dead, the prince concedes that “all are punished”—no one has been spared from the senseless grief that the two warring houses have perpetuated.

Why he is an important character:

• Although he only makes a few key appearances in the play, he makes an appearance in extreme situations, where the hatred, conflict and violence has reached unruly proportions.

• He brings with him an 'adult', grounded, measured and authoritative tone of voice, which reminds the other characters and the audience that there are clear lines for actions/ behaviour that must be observed.

• His presence highlights how the characters, who are adults, are behaving as unruly children in an out-of-control and unacceptable way. He also reminds us that society, governance, authority and rigid moral codes are essential to maintain peace and stability.

Key themes:

• Moral leadership

• Authority

• Social order / stability

• Civil peace / harmony

• Consequences and punishment

Key extract for the Prince - Act 1 scene 1

To stop the fighting on the streets between the Montagues and the Capulets, Prince Escalus steps in, offering stern words of caution if the fighting continues,

Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,

Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,--

Will they not hear? What, ho! 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.

Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,

By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,

Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets,

And made Verona's ancient citizens

Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments,

To wield old partisans, in hands as old,

Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate:

If ever you disturb our streets again,

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

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.

Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.

How is the prince’s authority presented in this extract?

In the play as a whole, the Prince represents political authority, social stability and he carries the voice of reason and calm response to conflict. He is a reminder that this behaviour is not morally or socially accepted, and that the violence is not tolerated in Verona. These clear lines, and boundaries, are essential now to justify and reinforce Romeo’s later banishment in the play.

Here, in this extract, the Prince comes into the scene to break up the fighting: he is successful in stopping it temporarily, almost on a superficial level. It is clear that his authority has been overstepped, as he references ‘three civil brawls’ which provides a contrast between reason and physical impulse / aggressive instincts. His purpose here is to highlight that the characters are behaving in an uncivil way, not appropriate to their higher social position – reinforced when he refers to them as ‘beasts’ –to suggest that they have forgotten themselves, and are wild and out of control – which is in contrast with his measured, eloquent speech. The fact that he is able to offer this detached reflection of them, increases his status, as it is clear he is speaking from a position of higher ground, in clear disbelief at the behaviour of adults: “you Capulet shall go with me’.

Furthermore, the length of his speech contrasts significantly to the short sentences and exclamatives of the characters who got drawn into the fighting in the first place, showing his mind to be measured, controlled and his judgement thought-through and resolute rather than hasty, brash or in the moment. It also underpins the fact that he has the final say: the authority of the law is fully behind him.

The reference to ‘fire’ in the line: ‘quench the fire of your pernicious rage’ is symbolic of the destructive nature of this anger, how quickly it can escalate if not closely watched and guarded, and ominously forewarns us that danger sits on the horizon for those who get drawn in, such as Romeo. It could also foreshadow the climate of disorder and chaotic passions yet to come in the play: a frenzy of anger, love, and hatred, bound by loyalty when Romeo’s later kills Tybalt when his anger is sparked, and how he is ultimately ‘burned’ by the rage and hatred of his wider social connections.

Overall, the prince’s presence here and the tone of authority he brings is essential to show the audience what behaviours are not tolerated in this society; to set a high moral bar, and to layer the idea of consequences for infringements of the social ‘peace’.

Your revision task:

Answer the question:

How is the Prince's authority presented in this scene?

• Start by thinking of the central way the Prince is presented in the extract.

• Closely analyse the extract, selecting short quotes and discussing key words.

• Consider the themes that are being introduced in this scene: unreasonable behaviour, conflict, hatred, peace, stability.

• Make links and connections to other parts of the play - this could be parts where these ideas are reinforced or contrasted.

Thinking points:

• Why it is important that we are introduced to Prince Escalus in the opening scene?

• How his language conveys authority – including short quotes / analysis

• How is the Prince important in other parts of the play? Think about Romeo's banishment, and his reflection at the end.

Aim to write at least one side of A4 on this question.

Collection of his full speeches