Act 1 scene five is the pivotal point of the play because it is where the pace, mood and themes of the play changes. There is a change in atmosphere at the start of scene 5 as the servants are rushed and flustered all gossiping about all the people who are to attend the party. This flurry picks up the pace of the play and there is sense that everything is speeding up. There is a lot of excitement and panic and this builds up anticipation for the ball.
Romeo stands to the side during all the dancing is commencing, and from this spot he first sees Juliet .He immediately falls in love with her and forgets about Rosaline. ” Did my heart love till now? Forswearit, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” He quickly makes his feelings known to her; by making many religious comments .He believes his love for her is pure and untainted.
In his speech, he says that Juliet’s beauty is brighter than the fire of any torch, and that the whole room has lighted up because of her presence. He also says that she is like a dove amongst crows and his rudeness would be blessed if he touches her hand. “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the check of night. Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear: so shows a snowy dove trooping with crows and touching hers, make blessed my rude hand “
From this we know that Romeo loves Juliet from the first moment he see her. (Love at first sight) he instantly forgets about Rosaline and says he hasn’t loved anyone besides Juliet.
” Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night”
Tybalt overhears Romeo’s voice and gets very angry. He is prepared to kill Romeo and he says
This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave
Come hither, cover'd with an antic face,
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
Now, by the stock and honor of my kin,
To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
Tybalt is very aggressive and he has made his point that he hates montages. He is furious that Romeo has attended the Capulet party that he is even prepared to strike Romeo dead. By this the audience finds Tybalt intimidating and aggressive. They find him negative.
Tybalt goes to attack Romeo but luckily Capulet stops him and tells him to calm down. Tybalt complains to Capulet that Romeo has "come in spite, / to scorn at our solemnity this night" Capulet rebukes him. Capulet does not want his party ruined and says that he has heard that Romeo is a pleasant youth. He says that Romeo is not causing any trouble and tells Tybalt to forget it. Even though Tybalt is not happy with Capulet’s decisions he lets the matter go for know, but promises to get revenge on Romeo.
