Prince Escalus

Extract to whole analysis for Prince Escalus' character

This page is important for you to recap the key role of Prince Escalus' character throughout the play, whilst familiarising yourself with his key passages. Remember that these passages could come up in an exam. Other passages may come up - by working through these ones, you will be confident in analysing any passages associated with Prince Escalus.

The more passages you practice, the more confident you will be come your May 2022 exams.

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 / fighting on the street is not morally or socially accepted, and that violence is not tolerated in Verona. These clear lines, and boundaries, are essential to establish 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’. His carefully ordered words provide a contrast between the reason abd self-control he has, and physical impulse / aggressive instincts of the men participating in the street fighting. 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’. The use of the second person pronoun 'you' here is direct, authoritative and commanding. He is clearly taking ownership of their behaviours, summoning Capulet out of the public sphere into private space to censure him,

Furthermore, the length of the Prince's 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 their 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. Alternatively, it could reveal that the Prince is only metaphorically 'fire-fighting' and that he has not truly got the blaze of the dispute under full control. He is only able to temporarily quieten it - an idea further reinforced by the later street brawl in Act 3 when Tybalt and Mercutio are killed.

Overall, the prince’s presence here and the tone of authority he brings is essential to show the audience early on, at the start of the play, 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’ for the audience to be able to understand and accept Romeo's later banishment.

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.