Last year on Mondays we had fun with books. This year, we'll look at most of the same books but also some new ones, and see if the first line [or first paragraph] met the goal of a first line which is ==> to hook the reader's attention.
Here are some tips on writing a first line
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-writing-the-opening-line-of-your-novel
Week #33 – Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
https://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/full.html
First published: 1597
Here's what the story is about: Romeo and Juliet, a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, is about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. Along with Hamlet, it’s one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. Juliet is just 13 years old and the couple’s romance lasted just 24 hours.
PROLOGUE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
This appears to be omniscient voice, or even perhaps second person because the author is speaking directly to the reader. This prologue sums up the entire play, including the ending, which is uncommon for today's reader. What do you think of prologues in general, and this one in particular?
Does this first line/paragraph hook your attention? If you had never heard of this story, would you buy this book in 2024? Knowing the story, would you change the first line? Tell us in the comments!
I think it still works. I mean Sunset Boulevard starts with the ending, but it doesn't make one any less interested in the story. And there are a whole bunch of TV episodes that start with a very active/dangerous scene then suddenly go "48 hours ago" and shift to back to the start of the story.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it should be read, if for no other reason than to follow David Mitchell's Upstart Crow :)
Anne Hathaway: Will, I've told you. Don't do comedy. It's not your strong point.
Shakespeare: It is my strong point, wife. It's just requires lengthy explanation and copious footnotes. If you do your research, my stuff is actually really funny.