How does Shakespeare create an atmosphere in act 1 scene 5? The masked ball of Romeo and Juliet.

How does Shakespeare create an atmosphere in act 1 scene 5? The masked ball of Romeo and Juliet. Scott Elliott 11k

Act 1 scene 5 of 'Romeo and Juliet' is a pivotal scene in the play. The audience are exited because they are eagerly awaiting the meeting of the two young lovers which has been told to them in the prolog Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. In addition the audience is waiting to see how the relationship will develop between the two. The love story aspect of the play appeals to all especially the romantic type and whilst the feud between the two families fuels the excitement in the play for people who like action. This has all been told to the audience in the prolog at the beginning to give them an insight in what is to happen.

The atmosphere in Verona is fair and quite until a recent fight in the square between the two families started by servants that were encouraged by Tybalt, creates and confirms the situation to be volatile. Also the prince has issued a death sentence on anyone who breaks the peace 'Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace' this adds more atmosphere to the play and also anticipation among the audience and it also like a spark to the atmosphere which is created.

After the fight where the peace is broken Lord Capulet is called on privately by the prince and is asked to make sure his household restrains from breaking the peace. This volatile atmosphere creates a sense of tension in the audience because this situation will certainly create difficulties for the young lovers as their relationship develops as they are representatives from opposing households.

Paris has asked Lord Capulet for his daughters, Juliet's, hand in marriage. Although Juliet is only 13/14 and arranged marriages were common at this age as the life expectancy was low in those days so the audience will have been used to this happening and it would be nothing new. Paris said 'Younger than she is happy mothers made' and then Lady Capulet replies 'I was your mother upon these years'.

Lord Capulet arranges a ball and invites Paris to a ball, to be held for the announcement of Paris and Juliet's engagement however Juliet knows nothing of this as yet. Juliet is then informed by her mother of Paris. The audience is intrigued to see what will happen there as they have been told in the prolog it will be Romeo and Juliet to have the romance so by now the audience should be hooked to the story line and to what is going on.

Benvolio, Romeos cousin, can see that Romeo is depressed and begs him to compare Rosaline ...

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Benvolio, Romeos cousin, can see that Romeo is depressed and begs him to compare Rosaline a girl who he likes but who has rejected, him to other attractive woman, and he uses this as a reason to go to the ball and sort of gate crash it as we would put it. 'By giving liberty unto thine eyes” and this means experience other beauties. This will affect the audience feelings again as they think Romeo an Juliet will be falling in love but it says that Romeo still in love with Rosaline he will not be affected by other woman.

Romeo decides to go to the masked ball and the audience is experiencing a range of emotions prior to the ball so expectations are in high order. Shakespeare sets act 1 scene 5 in the Capulet's opulent and luxurious home. At the start of the scene details about the masked ball are given to create atmosphere by using different effects on stage. Lord Capulet indicates the happy lighted mood early in this scene by saying, 'More lights, you knaves! And turn the tables up, and
quench the fire, the room is going to hot'

In lines 16 - 40 we are introduced to the Capulet household, who wearing glamorous, rich costumes to impress the audience walk on stage. Immediately the audience attempt to pick out Juliet who will stand out as the young beauty in the crowd, but their attention will be diverted to Lord Capulet and his conversation. Lord Capulet is joining and welcoming his guests, which eases the peace of the scene. Lord Capulet is nostalgic, comfortable and very gossipy. Lord Capulet is the caring host, determined to ensure that all his guests are happy. With music and lights this generosity and warmth pulls the audience into a warm and friendly mood and this makes them feel what it is like.

This ball is where Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time so maybe the audience anticipates what is going to happen here as the atmosphere is right and well built up with Romeo and Juliet both at the masked ball. In lines 41 - 52 the mood changes, in this part of the play Romeo falls in love at first sight with the beautiful Juliet expressing his inner feelings in a soliloquy. This is in direct comparison with the earlier jovial and lighthearted conversation with Lord Capulet. Romeo's soliloquy is dominated by his devotion and admiration for Juliet, and says to her 'O she doth teach the torches to burn bright?'

The audience will be feeling the emotions for both Romeo and Juliet as they meet for the first time. There is a much slower pace in this section as Shakespeare has used the sonnet form with rhyming couplets to emphasize the love and romantic nature of the scene. Within the sonnet he uses many contrasts to highlight Romeo's obsession with Juliet: 'So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows as yonder
lady o'er her fellow shows'

Romeo is in a total world of his own and he must not be thinking of Rosaline, enraptured by the stunning beauty of Juliet. This creates a romantic but also dangerous mood in the scene as the audience watches with anticipation and ask will they be caught and this is like the audience are making decisions for the play.

Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet at first sight but she does not know he is one of the opposing families, Benvolio's plan has worked, Benvolio's plan was to get Romeo to experience other beauties or compare other woman to Rosaline. The masked ball has brought Romeo and Juliet together and the audience will be delighted because of this, the romance has begun between the two which the audience was told.

In lines 53 - 91 there is a change in mood compared to the peaceful mood we saw previously. Tybalt has spotted Romeo and goes to Lord Capulet to tell him of the insult, Tybalt talks about Romeo calling him 'a villain', 'a slave' this creates tension and the audience become fearful for Romeo and his party and a fear that the romance may end so quick with Tybalt's aggressive language, 'Fetch me my rapier' highlighting the tension even further. Tybalt uses derogatory terms like 'slave' and 'villain' this shows Tybalt's anger and rage towards Romeo and the presence of Montague’s in the ball. Tybalt sees the worst and assumes that Romeo is there to start trouble: 'To fleer and scorn at out solemnity'

Lord Capulet speaks generously of Romeo and raises Romeo in the eyes of the audience. Capulet then uses more influential language that shows his determination to keep the peace and does not want to blemish the ball. Tension, the audience is riveted to see if Tybalt will obey (anticipation) 'I'll not endure him' Capulet balances his role of a general host whilst reprimanding Tybalt.

In lines 92 - 100 Romeo and Juliet meet again. They speak in sonnet form, which emphasizes and articulates their devotion for each other. At this stage of the scene Romeo puts Juliet a pedestal by using religious imagery. He describes his lips as 'two blushing pilgrims'. This began a series of references to the pilgrims, and perhaps used because Romeo if Italian means Roamer, wonderer or palmer. All of this is connected to the religious image of the pilgrim and the audience will feel for the devotion between the two lovers. The pair forms an island of peace and tranquility amidst the bustling atmosphere of the party. They are completely oblivious to others intent upon one thing only, 'To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss'

'O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do:' the atmosphere is harmonious showing their mutual love for each other. The kisses are romantic, 'This from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged'
and the audience is delighted by their relationship as well as being filled with tension because if they are discovered they are in great trouble. The audience e will be expecting anticipation.

In lines 111 - 116 the nurse breaks the romantic bond between Romeo and Juliet, the nurse calls Juliet away by doing this anxiety is created on the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is shattered when he realizes that Juliet is a Capulet, from the family that he has been warring with for generations, 'O dear account! My life is my foes debt' Romeo says. The people in the audience who like romance will be upset because the romance is split by the two lovers because of an ancient grudge between the two families but the people of the audience who like action will be anticipating some action between the two families so the tension in the audience is building up for both types. Romeo is devastated by this and leaves the ball; the audience is left with anticipation as to what he will do next.

Juliet discovers Romeo's identity,’ come hither, nurse. What is that yond gentlemen' and
'what's he that now is going out of the door? When Juliet finds out that Romeo is a Montague she like Romeo is devastated,’ My only love sprung from my only hate' Juliet believes that something bad will become of this, 'Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love an enemy'

Throughout act 1 scene 5 the audience is subjected to a gauntlet of emotions such as aggression, tension and ultimately romance and true love. These differences in emotions are conveyed through the variety and contrast in language. Shakespeare uses commands, and abusive language through to religious and romantic language using rhyming couplets in the sonnet form. This scene truly represents the contrast between love and hate, ending with the realization that love cannot 'run smoothly' for the lovers.

The scene leaves the audience breathless and eager to see how the relationship between Romeo and Juliet will unfold. In this scene Shakespeare built up the tension more and more between the two lovers whilst the audience waited in anticipation to find out what will happen. The audience have also being brought up in the play like decision making.