How does Shakespeare create atmosphere in act 1 scene 5
How does Shakespeare create atmosphere in act 1 scene 5
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, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. In addition the audience is enthusiastic to see how the relationship will develop. The love story aspect of the play appeals to all ages especially the romantic type, whilst the feud between the two families fuels the excitement in the play for people who like action.
The audience are aware of the hostility between the Montagues, the Capulets and recent brawls:
'Three civil brawls, bread on airy word'
This also adds further tension and a sense of doom to the scene.
A recent fight in the square 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 a dangerous and dark atmosphere to the scene.
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 warring households.
Count Paris has asked Lord Capulet for his daughters, Juliet's, hand in marriage. Although Juliet is only 13 arranged marriages were common at this age:
Paris says 'Younger than she are happy mothers made'
Lady Capulet replies 'I was your mother upon these years'
Lord Capulet arranges a ball and invites Count 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 interest in her.
The audience is intrigued to see what will happen there.
Romeo is deeply in love with a girl called Rosaline, but this is not to be as Rosaline rejects him:
Romeo says 'griefs of mine own lie heavy'
Romeo is deeply saddened because of Rosaline's rejection to him.
Benvolio, Romeos cousin, can see that Romeo is depressed and begs him to compare Rosaline to other attractive woman - a reason to go to the ball:
'By giving liberty unto thine eyes;
Experience other beauties'
Again there is a sense of intrigue because if Romeo is still in love with Rosaline he will not be affected by other woman.
On the way to the masked ball Shakespeare creates a sense of doom because Elizabethans believed very strongly in fate. The audience would think that whatever Romeo and Juliet do events occur beyond ...
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Benvolio, Romeos cousin, can see that Romeo is depressed and begs him to compare Rosaline to other attractive woman - a reason to go to the ball:
'By giving liberty unto thine eyes;
Experience other beauties'
Again there is a sense of intrigue because if Romeo is still in love with Rosaline he will not be affected by other woman.
On the way to the masked ball Shakespeare creates a sense of doom because Elizabethans believed very strongly in fate. The audience would think that whatever Romeo and Juliet do events occur beyond their control.
Romeo has ominous forboding premonition of doom:
'For my mind misgives
some consequence yet hanging in the stars
shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night revels'
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'
Elizabethan props would have been metonymic and portable, hence the removal of the table and the quenching of the fire. Indicate an increase in activity and a change of mood. Lord Capulet expects every one to dance and enjoy the party atmosphere.
Also, of significance is the effect of lighting. Early in the scene the stage is dark indicating danger, but as shown here, Lord Capulet calls for more lights indicating nightfall as well as enlightening of the mood, therefore enhancing the gaiety of the party scene.
As the masquers enter the mood of the scene once again changes, generating a sense of secrecy and tension with in the scene. Will the masquers be discovered? Equally as important within this scene is the appearance of dancing, singing and music. Musical instruments such as lutes were used in Elizabethan times to indicate the drastic change of mood within a play, and in act 1 scene 5 the influence of music enhances the romantic mood and meeting of Romeo and Juliet.
In lines 1 - 15 Shakespeare creates a slightly humours mood by using servants, dashing across the stage, looking busy, to enhance the mood. Shakespeare also uses minor characters such as servants, cleaners and guards to divert the attention of the audience away from the main characters and create a sense of anticipation.
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, he also makes many light hearted comments to the ladies recalling his youth and reminiscing about his past. 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.
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,
'O she doth teach the torches to burn bright?'
There is a much slower pace in this section as Shakespeare has used the sonnet form with rhyming couplets to emphasise 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, enraptured by the stunning beauty of Juliet. This creates a romantic but also dangerous mood in the scene as the audience watch with anticipation and ask will they be caught?
Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet, 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 together the couple and the audience will be delighted because of this, the romance has begun.
In lines 53 - 91 there is a dramatic change in mood compared to the peaceful mood we saw previously. Tybalt has spotted Romeo and goes strait to Lord Capulet to inform 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 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 Montagues in the ball. Tybalt sees the worst and assumes that Romeo is there to start trouble:
'To fleer and scorn at out solemnity'
This shows that Tybalt is determined to inflict harm upon Romeo and his party.
Lord Capulet attempts to calm Tybalt down using placid language:
'Content thee, gentle coz'
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:
'I'll not endure him'
Capulet balances his role of a genial host whilst reprimanding Tybalt.
In lines 92 - 100 Romeo and Juliet meet again. They speak in sonnet form, which emphasises and articulates their devotion for each other. At this stage of the scene Romeo puts Juliet an 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.
Both Romeo and Juliet respond, to each other's suggestions tenderly and compassionately. The pair form an island of peace and tranquillity 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'
The tension is built towards the kiss by the repetition of palms and hands,
'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 blossoming relationship as well as being filled with tension because if they are discovered they are in grave trouble.
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 realises 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 is devastated by this and leaves the ball, the audience is left with anticipation as to what he will do next.
Juliet coyly 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'
Although Elizabethans believe strongly in fate, Love is the more powerful force of the two as the loves become more involved in later scenes.
Throughout act 1 scene 5 the audience is subjected to a gauntlet of emotions such as comedy, 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 realisation 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.
