Romeo And Juliet Servant Analysis

The story of Romeo and Juliet is centered on two wealthy families living in Verona. The Montagues and the Capulets have had an “ancient grudge” towards one another, and this feud becomes central to the entirety of the play. However, this story is not only about Romeo and Juliet, or the Capulets and Montagues, but it is also about the servants involved in this struggle. These servants are, in fact, not of the same status as their masters. However, Peter, one of the serving men of the Capulets, seems to be held on a different status than the rest. When William Shakespeare introduces these servants in Act 1 scenes 2 and 3 of Romeo and Juliet, he implies that Peter is not just a servant, but that his standard is in fact beneath that of all the other servicemen. Before …show more content…
Sampson and Gregory are bantering away in sexual puns when two of Montague 's men approach them. Immediately, Sampson and Gregory recognize these men as those of their rival, and without even questioning the two men, they begin plotting to “take the law of [their] sides; [and] let [the Montagues] begin” the quarrel (Shakespeare, 1.1.37). This quarrel is boisterous enough to draw the attention of the Prince and the citizens, who are also well aware of the feud that has “disturbed the quiet of [their] streets” (Shakespeare, 1.1.95). Ironically, Peter, who is involved in the feud given his position as a servant, fails to recognize Romeo, a key relative of Montague. In fact, he is on stage when Benvolio addresses Romeo by name. Even after overhearing Romeo’s name, Peter still confronts Romeo and Benvolio. Instead of protecting the Capulet family name, Peter unintentionally informs the opposing family of the upcoming ball, and therefore disobeys Lord Capulet’s direct command to “find those persons whose names are out there”( Shakespeare, 1.2.35-36). Because Shakespeare