Tension starts to build when Shakespeare focuses on Romeo. While the Montague’s are aiming to crash the banquet, Romeo is searching for his ex-lover Rosaline. He soon sets his eyes on Juliet and asks the serving man who she is. With no such luck, the serving man did not know. Rosaline vanishes from his mind as he declares that he has never been in love until this moment. “Did my love till now? Forswear it sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” He is fascinated and intrigued by her beauty. Romeo appears to be sensitive, romantic and a modest person. He obviously changes his mind and mood rapidly.
To attract the audience more, Shakespeare uses imagery and poetic rhyming couplets which adds to the atmosphere of romance. For example, “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night…” The image he creates about Juliet reveals that this is one of the attractions that made him fall in love with her.
Romance fades and tension arises as Tybalt moves through the crowd and recognises Romeos voice. Realising that there is a Montague present, he reacts very quickly ready to attack Romeo. The audience can feel Tybalt’s anger rising and can a sense of violence emerges in the atmosphere. “This, by his voice, should be a Montague….Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.” Capulet overheard Tybalt and stops him from doing any harm to Romeo at his feast. “Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone, a bears him like a portly gentleman; and to say truth Verona brags of him.” Capulets speech about Romeo indicates to the audience that Romeo is known for his good reputation and is well regarded in Verona.
Tybalt doesn’t seem to be listening to Lord Capulet as all that’s on his mind is getting hold of Romeo. “It fits when such a villain is a guest: I’ll not endure him.” His anger reveals to the audience that Tybalt is arrogant, self-centred and aggressive. Capulets power over Tybalt makes him finally keep the peace. Back to his guests Capulet moves on, Tybalt vows that he will not let this indignity pass and that Romeo shall pay. “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet, convert the bitterest gall.” This shows that there will be more conflicts between the families further on the play, which leaves the audience on the edge of their seats.
Shakespeare has put this scene in between the two scenes, which are romantic to keep hold of the audience’s interest in the play, keep an intense mood, and create suspense in the atmosphere. He has set up expectations for example, Tybalt fighting Romeo and has linked the key themes, love and death.
The first conversation between Romeo and Juliet is a dialogue that is full of religious (Christian) metaphors. Juliet is referred as a saint and Romeo is a pilgrim. Romeo tries to convince Juliet to kiss him by saying that his lips are two blushing pilgrims wanting to be kissed. “My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand.” Juliet responds by saying that pilgrim touching the hand of a saint is like a holy kiss. “For saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch, and palm to palm is holy palmers kiss.” Juliet has proved to the audience that she is intelligent and transforms from a young girl to a mature one. Fortunately for Romeo , he kisses her twice without even knowing her name. Shakespeare makes their meeting very romantic as they show that their love is being associated with god. Their conversation creates a flirtatious atmosphere full of sexual desire and innocence. Romeo and Juliet both show the audience they are experiencing a deep attraction.
On stage, I think this scene should easily create a fun, joyful atmosphere grabbing hold of the audience’s attention. As the two lovers meet, the lights should focus more on them and soft music should be played. There should be a lot of eye contact between the two to show how easily and deeply they are falling in love. This way, I think the audience would focus more on Romeo and Juliet.
In the past, the audience would believe that Romeo and Juliet could fall in love so easily. This is because they could think that fate has brought them together. In my opinion, modern audience could think opposite. I think this because Romeo and Juliet’s love would not last if their families are enemies as they will not allow them to be together.
Coming towards the end of the scene, Romeo and Juliet finally know each other’s name. They both react more or less the same way when they find out that their families are enemies. Their main thought is that their love is in their enemies’ debt. “Is she Capulet? O dear account! My life is in my foe’s debt.” This is a quote from Romeos reaction. We feel that he is devastated and leaves the audience in suspense on whether he will choose true love or family honour.
“My only love sprung from my only hate. Too early seen unknown, and had known too late.” Juliet is saying if she had known that Romeo is a Montague she would not love him. Overall it prepares the audience for the rest of the play as it involves the conflicts between both of their families.
On the whole, Shakespeare has created a scene full of romance and excitement. He expresses perfect love in Romeo and Juliet as a fierce, powerful emotion, which successfully captures individuals. Unexpected events occur throughout this scene such as, Romeo meeting Juliet and Tybalt creating a sense of violence to threaten their love. It leaves the audience in suspense of how their relationship is going to build.
The whole purpose of the banquet is for people to meet, know each other and maybe fall in love. Juliet falling in love with Romeo is the irony of the scene as he is the son of Capulets enemy. The main themes such as violence, romance, conflict and death is created through their meeting. Love is basically described in terms of religion leading the two lovers to a tragic conclusion.
