SOURCE: Adams, Barry B. “The Prudence of Prince Escalus.” ELH 35, no. 1 (March 1968): 32-50.

In the following essay, Adams contends that Prince Escalus is a partially emblematic figure in Romeo and Juliet who represents the double-faced image of prudence and Fortunata and who links the drama's themes of chance, fate, time, wisdom, and divine providence.

Escalus, Prince of Verona, makes his first appearance on stage relatively early in the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet. The noisy street brawl touched off by the rival serving men is in full swing, and the Prince at first has trouble making himself heard. When he does finally gain the attention of his “rebellious subjects” he addresses them as follows:

Three civill brawles bred of an ayrie word, By thee old Capulet and Mountague, Have thrice disturbd the quiet of our streets, And made Veronas auncient Citizens, Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments...