The play is divided into five stages in which the central themes of, conflict, love, revenge and suicide are developed.
In the explosion, developed in act 1 scene 1, a peace treaty between the Montague’s and Capulet takes place. In this scene the prince threatens to punish by death, anyone who breaks the peace. The central theme here is conflict.
In act 1, scene 5, the rising action of the play, Romeo and Juliet fell in love for the first time, Romeo secretly marries Juliet fearing that a Capulet and a Montague would never be allowed to marry. In this scene the theme of love is developed at the same time, the theme of conflict is also dominant, we see this when Tybalt finds out that Romeo is at the ball and wants to attack him, but Romeo is aware of this.
In the turning point, act 3 scene 1, Mercutio (Romeo's friend) is killed by Tybalt, then Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince arrives and orders that Romeo be banished. Tybalt death determines the turning point because it leads to many dramatic things in the play. The theme of revenge and death dominates this play.
In the falling action, act 4 scene 3, Paris will soon be married to Juliet, and the Capulet do not know about Juliet’s secret marriage. Juliet decides to fake her death for 42 hours by taking poison to avoid marrying Paris. The theme of suicide is introduced here. In the falling action, poison is used as a symbol for death and a solution to bring the lovers together.
In the conclusion, which is the last part in the play, Romeo is informed that Juliet is dead when she is really asleep because of the poison. When Romeo sees Juliet who appears dead, he drinks the poison and dies. Juliet wakes up, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself with a dagger. Both families agree to stop the hatred after the tragedy. The conclusion relates back to act 1 scene 5 because in that scene Romeo and Juliet meet, if they had not met and fell in love then the death would not had happen.
In Romeo and Juliet, act 1 scene 5 is significant for two major reasons, the first and most important reason is that Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time and fall in love instantly. The second reason is that it makes the audience think that the ball night is happy and joyous occasion, but in this night Tybalt tries to kill Romeo.
Shakespeare uses imagery of dark and light as a motif, from the first scene to the last. The play is filled with contrasts of light and dark, for example "symbolic of the natural beauty of young love" which means both Romeo and Juliet see the other as light in a surrounding darkness. Romeo describes Juliet as being like the sun, brighter than a torch; Juliet describes Romeo as "day in night".
Act 1, Scene 5 is dramatically effective in various ways, as William Shakespeare uses different kinds of techniques for example choice of language, structure, symbolism, and imagery. This scene is dramatically effective because it is said that when Romeo and Juliet meet they will become: 'Star-crossed lovers'. We know it is true love because it also says: 'Take their life' 'Death-marked love' The drama is done even before Romeo and Juliet meet also Shakespeare titles this play Romeo and Juliet, but this the one of the scenes when they are together.
Act 1 scene 5 is the ball scene, at the beginning of this scene, the servants in the ball hastle to finish the preparation for the Capulet’s ball.” Away with the joint-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of Marchpane; and, as thou lovest me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell”. This is important as it gives an insight into the lower class point of view after the preparation the servants are putting themselves across as and welcoming people. They are not interested in fighting they just want everyone to enjoy the party.
At the ball, Romeo is searching for Rosaline, the girl who he is in love with at the time, but Romeo forgets Rosaline as soon as he sees Juliet. This causes suspense because the audience does not know what is going to happen. In the ball Shakespeare uses imagery by adding music whilst everyone dances, “You are welcome, gentlemen! Come, musicians play, a hall, a hall! Give room! And foot it, girls”. The music makes it effective because it makes the audience think the ball is very calming. The servants in the ball speak in prose not in verse, which makes it effective, as it implies the different social class.
Romeo's speech about Juliet is dramatic as he shows what he thinks about Juliet. Romeo describes Juliet as many beautiful things. “Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear- beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” or “so shows a snowy dove trooping with crows”. The “crows” here refer to Rosaline and the rest of the women. This shows that Juliet’s beauty is greater than Rosaline’s. In addition Romeo’s speech about Juliet is dramatically effective because he uses metaphors, “o, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” The first time where Romeo and Juliet meet makes the scene more dramatically effective. Also drama is added in this scene because this is where they fall in love.
Tybalt speech is dramatic as he uses argument talk which changes the calm atmosphere, Tybalt speech shows that he is bad tempered with a cold character: “makes me flesh temper in different greetings”. This quote shows that how he is trembling in anger and frustration after finding out about Romeo.
Shakespeare uses the structure of the sonnet to draw the attention of audience to Romeo and Juliet’s meeting. During this sonnet, their love is shown by holding hands and kissing; Juliet allows Romeo to kiss her hand. This is dramatically effective because in Elizabethan times this never happened; it was like a big sin.
Towards the end of Act 1 Scene 5, Romeo and Juliet realise they have fallen in love. When Romeo finds out that he has fallen in love with a Capulet: “is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt” Romeo says that he is in debt to his foe. When Juliet finds out about Romeo being Montague, he says: “my only love sprung from my only hate!” Juliet also realises she has fallen in love with her enemy.
Shakespeare has made this scene dramatically effect in many ways by using finely tuned drama, this scene is the most important scene of the play because without this scene Romeo and Juliet would not have met and fallen in love and this play would have just then been about two rival families.
