Ac1 Scene 5 is a key scene in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet - Describe why it is so important, and how Shakespeare's stagecraft adds to the scene's dramatic qualities.

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Ac1 Scene 5 is a key scene in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Describe why

 it is so important, and how Shakespeare’s stagecraft adds to the scene’s  

dramatic qualities

        William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and then died in 1616.  Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most well known tragedies and was written sometime between 1589-1595.  Most people know about the “star crossed lovers”.  Its popularity is probably because the story of young lovers, opposed by their parents, yet remaining true to each other until death, and is one that is repeated in every generation.  

        Another reason why it is so popular with the youth of this generation is because of the Baz Luhrman film which was produced in 1997 and started massive actors at the time, including heart-throb Leonardo Di Caprio.

        Act 1 Scene 5 is a central scene in the play because it marks the beginning of the relationship between Romeo and Juliet.  From the start of the play, we have been introduced to the long-standing, bitter feud between the Montague and Capulet households, and the civil unrest that has been caused in Verona.

        We also know about the rivalry between the young men of the two families and their friends, particularly Benvolio + Mercutio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet)

        Romeo and his friends have planned to come uninvited to the masked ball being held at the Capulets home.  So the scene is set for the anticipated meeting, and the audience awaits the outcome.

        Shakespeare builds up suspense and dramatic tension in the scene.  First, there is a brief comic interlude between the servants preparing the hall for the party.  The entry of Capulet and the guests and the start of the dancing continues to create a sense of exciting and anticipation.

        Capulet reminisces about previous “masks” with his cousin while the audience, like Romeo standing on the sideline, watches the partygoers, including Juliet dancing.

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        Romeos' first comment about Juliet is significant.  He asks the servant who she is, but the servant does not know.  He is clearly struck by her beauty, because he describes her in extravagant terms.  She can “teach the torches to burn bright”; she is like a “rich jewel in an Ethiopians ear”, and a “snowy dove trooping with crows”.

        All these images convey the depth of Romeos feelings on seeing Juliet.  Her radiance and beauty overwhelm him.  He realises he has never been in love before.  “For I ne’er saw the beauty till this night”.  This speech contrasts with the ...

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