‘It is a honour that I dream not of.’
One of the ways Shakespeare makes this scene dramatically effective is by making Romeo discover Rosaline has been invited to the Capulet party. Benvolio urges Romeo to go and they decide to gatecrash the party. This is dramatically effective because Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) is going to be there and the audience learn from Act 1, Scene 1 he is a fiery character. It is shown here (when talking to Benvolio):
‘What drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.’
There could be a fight if Tybalt discovers the Montague’s at the party.
Shakespeare creates effective drama in Act 1, Scene 4 when Romeo experiences foreboding about the party in a dream:
‘My mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars. Shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night’s revels.’
As the party begins there is dramatic irony. Romeo has already said he will have eyes for only Rosaline, and Act 1, Scene 3 tells us that Juliet is there to see if she likes Paris. However the audience have been told by the prologue it is destiny that when Romeo and Juliet will meet and fall in love. This makes Act 1, Scene 5 dramatically effective because of our expectations.
At the start of Act 1, Scene 5 servants are on the stage rushing around so the audience expects a big party:
‘Away with the join-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate.’
The servants are talking in prose this has the effect of building up the scene makes it dramatically effective.
Enter [CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, JULIET, TYBALT and his PAGE, NURSE, and] all the GUESTS and GENTLEMEN to the maskers.
Then enter the Capulet with his guests, everyone is on stage at once dressed in expensive and unique clothes. This is a contrast from the servants this is dramatically effective in itself. The Capulet’s and guests talk in iambic pentameter, which also makes it, more effective. The music starts and they begin to dance this is a theatrical spectacle. The drama is built up again as the audience wait for Romeo and Juliet to meet. Finally Romeo has seen Juliet it is made dramatic when he uses poetic language. He complements her by using a simile:
‘As a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear.’
As the audience know, Romeo went to the party originally to see Rosaline but he has forgotten about her. You know this when he says:
‘Did my heart love till now?’
He also uses a comparison to describe Juliet:
‘Snowy dove tropping among crows.’
Romeo is explaining how her beauty stands out among the crowd.
He admits he loves Juliet already.
Tybalt recognises Romeo’s voice. This is the quotation:
‘This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy.’
Again this is a very dramatic effect, as the audience believe a fight will start. They get this from when Tybalt’s says:
‘To strike him dead I hold is not a sin.’
This quotation is made more dramatic because it also links with Romeo’s prophetic dream. The audience think Romeo is about to die.
Before Tybalt can do anything Capulet steps in as a peacemaker the audience are relieved. It is dramatically effective when Tybalt argues back, the audience enjoy the large family argument:
‘Am I the master here, or you?’
This shows Capulet puts Tybalt back in his place. Tybalt threatens he will get Romeo in the future:
‘You’ll make a mutiny among my guests!’
This had dramatic effect as something else could happen later in the play between them.
The effect of the build up of tension is that at last when Romeo and Juliet meet the audience are very excited. Drama as Romeo takes Juliet’s hand. Shakespeare uses prayer and religious imagery. The audience in Shakespeare times would have been much more knowledgeable about Christianity and religious love that is pure and good. The language is dramatic because it is poetic. Romeo and Juliet are holding hands you know this because it says:
‘Palm to palm.’
It is dramatic as they both innocently tease each other. Here it is shown:
‘Have not saints lips and holy palmers too?’
After more teasing the stage directions say:
‘Kissing her.’
This is very dramatic as the audience think they are together at last. They kiss once more and then they begin the 2nd shared sonnet when suddenly the nurse interrupts. This is effective because they and the audience are brought back to reality.
Another of the ways Shakespeare makes this scene dramatically effective is by making Romeo find out that Juliet is a Capulet too late as he has already fallen in love with her. The audience see both reactions of when they find out each other’s families.
At the end of the scene there is a contrast on stage as only the nurse and Juliet are left, when the other party guests leave, and this is dramatic because the audience are waiting for Juliet to find out that Romeo’s a Montague. The drama starts as Juliet asks the name of two other men before asking for Romeo’s. The audience feel they are being played by this story unfolding, and are very effective dramatically. There is dramatic irony as the nurse goes to find out Romeo’s name Juliet says:
‘If he be married.’
The audience know that love can lead to marriage and that can consequence in death for Juliet.
Juliet has a dramatic reaction when she finds out Romeo is a Montague:
‘My only love sprung form my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!’
Juliet has fallen in love with Romeo an enemy of her father. There is Dramatic irony that underlines the dramatic effect of the whole scene.
In this essay I have clearly shown the different ways in which Shakespeare has made Act 1, Scene 5 dramatically effective throughout the play.
