The opening line of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" states that the two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are similar. From the first scene however, it becomes clear that there are also many contrasts. These contrasts are present in what we learn about the characters' personalities, social class and from their use of language. There are also contrasts between the more serious aspects of the play, and the underlying humour.

One of the first contrasts the audience becomes aware of is the contrast between the characters of Tybalt, a Capulet, and Benvolio, a Montague. During the first scene, two sets of servants, one from each household, have met, and the Montague servants are being taunted by the Capulets. In the late sixteenth century, when this play was written, it would have been commonplace for rich families to have servants. These...