Throughout the scene, Shakespeare uses iambic pentameter and rhyming couplet. For example, Romeo quotes “did my heart love till now, for swear it sight! I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” Here Romeo is questioning his sight to whether or not they are seeing right as before he thought he was in love with Rosaline but now, he feels even stronger feelings towards Juliet. Shakespeare uses rhyming couplets in this scene to symbolize the love that is flourishing between Romeo and Juliet. Romeo would be presented as quite vulnerable because he’s so young and at that age, it’s typical of such a young man doing such things. However, a Shakespearean audience would not see it in this way because they didn’t tend to take into account that age would affect someone’s actions, so they consequently would see Romeo as quite a rebellious.
In the next part of the scene, Tybalt enters with Capulet. At this point in the play, Tybalt is extremely irritated because he has just seen Romeo (Montague) at the party and when he notices this, he realises the extent and humiliation he would face when people realise that a Montague has entered a Capulet’s residence. I think that there are therefore, two interpretations for why exactly Tybalt was livid. Firstly, he would be mortified with the fact
that a Montague penetrated into the house of Capulet in the first place. Also, I think in a way, he may have thought that Capulet allowed such a thing to occur and invited the Montague to his house. In this case, he would be absolutely furious and therefore be shouting such abuse as he was; like “…villain Romeo….” And "our foe.” These are in modern time, very mild abuse expressions however, in Shakespeare’s time such language was thought of as appalling and certainly only used in such desperate measures as this.
In this scene, I would direct Tybalt to be exceptionally enraged; possibly throwing his arms from one place to another a few times, near the end when he becomes more forceful. For example, when he says “why, uncle, ‘tis a shame!” he’s trying to tell his uncle, Capulet, that it is such an awful thing that has happened, I would also have Tybalt speaking in a thunderous, livid voice that would echo through the theatre, to show how infuriated Tybalt actually was. For example, I think it would be very effective when Tybalt says “fetch me my rapier boy!” that he speaks in a forceful manner because at this point in time, he would be very authoritative and at the peak of his anger. Also, in my opinion, at this particular point of speech, Tybalt is supposed to come across as very influential, because he’s asking a servant to bring him his sword; as if he has the status in the relationship and should be obeyed. However, as Capulet enters, I think it would be quite effective to make him lower his tone of voice slightly, as he realises the difference in status.
At this point in the play, the lighting would start of as a strong light on Tybalt and a soft lighting on Romeo in the background. However, I think as Capulet enters, there would be two strong lights on each of the characters to show both of their power and through this lighting, the audience will realise both of the arguments that are portrayed are authoritative and both of them are coming from relatively upper class people. I also think that at this point in the scene, the staging would mean that at the front of the stage would be the dialogue between Tybalt and Capulet and in the background the audience would see Romeo, gazing at Juliet. I think that this effect would be beneficial for the scene as the audience see the contrast between the arguments at the front with the tender scene at the back. Showing that even though Tybalt is talking about Romeo to be a ‘slave, coming to scorn at their solemnity’, the evidence from the back of the theatre shows Romeo to be quite gentle and vulnerable because following a girl round is quite, in modern times an immature action to do.
In this scene, with the dialogue, I would choose to emphasize ‘slave’, ‘foe’ and ‘villain’. I would also choose to accentuate the speech when Tybalt says ‘scorn at our solemnity’ and ‘‘makes my flesh tremble’ because, in my opinion, these lines certainly portray the accurate amount of resentment that Tybalt is feeling at this point in time. Also when Tybalt says’ scorn at our solemnity’ he would look disgusted because it shows more aggression and the act that he looks disgusted shows how angry he is with the fact a Capulet is in his house as it is alliteration in a sound which sounds almost malevolent or evil. This section, in context to the scene as a whole sets the atmosphere of anger and brings out the first glances of the antagonism that the characters are feeling at this point in time. It also begins the trail of tension between the characters and the dramatic tension begins to take a lead part in the act. For example, the argument between Capulet and Tybalt begins a string of affairs which lead to death, painful experiences and also the declaration of love because as they argue; Romeo approaches Juliet and they first kiss; in the next part of the scene.
From the part of the great argument between Capulet and Tybalt to the meeting of Romeo and Juliet is probably one of the biggest changes of ambience in the whole of Romeo and Juliet. The change shows the difference between two immensely powerful scenes which both have impact on the outcome of the play. From a intense scene of arguments beforehand, the atmosphere of the meeting of Romeo and Juliet is very romantic and in my opinion, where before I would have loud, vigorous tone of voices, in this scene I would have very soft talking voices, in a slow manner; to symbolize the love which is created between the young hearts. For example, at the beginning of this meeting, Romeo starts off by saying “if I profane with my unworthiest hand this shrine, the gentle fine is this, my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth with a tender kiss.” I would have Romeo approach Juliet from behind, as if by surprise to entice her and to extend the theme of masks and disguise. Another main part that I would have in a slow speech would be just before the first kiss; “Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take. Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged”. Before this part of the speech Romeo and Juliet refer to their love as a sin and the kiss would be the biggest sin of all. Especially in a Shakespearean audience’s company because such revelations would be considered a huge surprise. However, for a modern time audience, this would not seem as wrong as it did in history since attitudes have changed towards these ideas. To direct my scene, I think I would need to consider both audiences and that’s why I think that I would have them touch lips softly first, then back off before coming back together again as they are young therefore for a modern audience, their vulnerability would be illustrated here.
This part of act 1 scene 5, is written as part of a sonnet. A sonnet is normally a love poem and therefore the reason for Shakespeare's writing it in a poetic fashion of a sonnet is because I think he wanted to capture the love themes described. Also, I think Shakespeare wrote this in a sonnet way because it is a love scene and the fact it was written in a sonnet gives him a chance to explore ways to link the lovers through their speech For example, Romeo says “Have not saints lips and holy palmers too?” Then Juliet replies “Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.” At this point in the play Romeo and Juliet are trying to convince themselves that there is nothing wrong with kissing because they are virtually worshipping. For a Shakespearean audience, the constant religious imagery is very relevant because at the time, there would be religious people in the audience who could relate to this description.
For my performance, to make it more authentic that the youngsters had fallen in love so quickly, I would start by Romeo and Juliet both looking for a long time into each other’s eyes, when they finally meet, because they are both probably not used to such confrontation and therefore would be quite nervous that it happened to them. I would also, as they speak to each other, keep them looking into each other’s eyes until the kiss, when they both, look at the connection of their hands, as they talk about the pilgrim’s prayers. To show their feelings for each other, I think they would start by linking hands, as prayers, while they say “Saints do not move though grant for prayer’s sake” and “then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take..” these stages are leading up to the kiss and throughout them, they are getting closer and closer until they are finally touching; no longer by hands but by lips. I think that when Romeo is talking, he should try touching Juliet’s hair to show how much he’s infatuated with her.
As Romeo and Juliet kiss, the nurse walks in. Once more, the atmosphere changes and the dramatic tensions are also quite high. This is because the nurse would be astounded to have found the two kissing. At this point, before the nurse walks in, I would have dimmed lights on the kiss to symbolize the intensity. These dimmed lights would also bring the audience to be more engaged because they are concentrating on one part on stage. I would create dramatic tension in this part of the scene by having soft music playing throughout it however, when the nurse walks in on the kiss, the music would stop.
In this scene, Romeo and Juliet find out each of them is from the opposite family. Here the dramatic tension is extremely high and both characters appear to be more emotional because of this. To show how hurt they are by the news, I would have them both walk off and talk to themselves for the next line. For example, when Juliet says “my only love, sprung from my only hate,” she would wake slightly away from the nurse. It is very serious that each f them is from the family rival because there is an extra problem. For example, as well as worrying about what her family is going to say about her kissing someone without their permission, she has to worry about the fact that he’s what the family hate. It is significant that it is the nurse who reveals to each of them the news because, she’s merely a worker for the Capulet household so isn’t obliged to tell the truth. Through Romeo and Juliet meeting and finding out the true identities of each other, this can lead to more fighting between the families and also, as a result, more family members dying. When Juliet speaks, she signifies the true severity of the situation by some of what she says. For example, when she says “my grave is like to be my wedding bed,” this means that she believes she is going to die before she is married. Also, I think in my performance I will have the nurse emphasize words like “the son of your only enemy!” this would create a harsh tension of the scene as the truth hits Juliet as it is…she has fallen in love with who she is expected to hate, a Montague.
Overall, act 1, scene 5 is a significant and important scene because it is the pivotal point of the play and from then on, everything changes. For example, in act 1, scene 5 Romeo and Juliet find out each of their identities and the problem is born between the two family grudges being linked by love. Also, the themes of love and war are contrasted greatly as we are taken from different parts, another theme approaches. Also, in act 1; scene 5, a lot happens. As well as the first meeting and kiss of Romeo and Juliet, also there is the revelation to each o them about the family name. In act 1; scene 5, there is also a lot of dramatic irony which is used to connect the audience to the play and seem like they have an important part to play in the surprise because they knew beforehand. I think that these ideas of love and war could be portrayed to a modern time audience by using a racial theme running through because at this day and age, there is a lot of discrimination between racial groups. For example, in this scene love and hate collide. I would re-enforce this by having a stop of music as well as a lot of lighting to help pick out the key- parts of the scene To a modern audience, I think they would feel more emotion if they heard music whereas in a Shakespearean audiences’ viewing they would find the idea of volume control in voices more emotional as they didn’t have special effects to look like they were crying or lighting and sound to portray emotions.
