Act 1 scene 5 ends the first act of the play and draws together the threads so far. The prologue gives the audience a idea of the plays plot and it's main themes of love destiny and hate

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Essay on Romeo and Juliet

By Luchelle Emerson

Act 1 scene 5 ends the first act of the play and draws together the threads so far. The prologue gives the audience a idea of the plays plot and it's main themes of love destiny and hate. The brawl in the first scene is the part of the play where it gets action packed and engages the audience. It also excites them and gets them ready for action. The audience then find out that when Romeo is away from Roseline he gets love sick over her and misses her. This gives the audience the idea of love and this is when Romeo is first introduced.

In the next scene Paris talks to Capulet as a suitor, which gives the audience the idea of love and parental power. Ironically the ball is arranged so that Paris can see other beautiful young women, but lady Capulet and the nurse support the idea of their marriage . This is when Juliet is introduced properly and this also gives the idea of love and parents power. Next we see Romeo with all of his friends in a scene that gives a sense of destiny and fore boarding relating to the coming party.

Nowadays when we have parties we have modern music and modern clothes and flashing lights. However in Shakespearian times masked balls were popular for the rich. In the theatre they would march about the stage , to indicate the change of place as there was continuous action on an Elizabethan stage. The scene could hold an interest of an Elizabethan audience as musicians would play above the stage and costumes would have a sense of the ball.

Capulets ball is a masked ball. This means that Montague's can get in, so disguise helps the plot to be continued. The ball enables all the main characters to be on stage together, which has potential for violence as well as love, because there are enemies on stage. These factors might engage the audiences interest because the scene has a mixture of love and hate all in one. It also gives the impression the party is very busy. Act 1 scene 5 is made up of lots of parts to hold the audiences interest. At first there is an excited atmosphere because there is a lot going on, with servants rushing around, as they need to arrange the great hall, so it creates a good atmosphere and for the audience as well.
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Then the entrance of the Capulets comes and seems very grand to create the thought of ownership. Guests followed in with their masks on and beautiful outfits. This is more stately, but visually attractive for the audience. There is also musical appeal. Next we see Capulet and his cousin chatting, like real old men's chatter, at this, the pace of the party tends to slow down a bit. This gives time for Romeo to see Juliet. We see Romeo gazing around, but then our tension is arrested as he stops and sees Juliet and gazes at her beauty. ...

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