Focusing on act one, scene five and act three, scene one of Romeo and Juliet explain in detail how Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to engage his audience.
Romeo and Juliet is a Shakespearian tragedy about two star-crossed lovers who marry in secret and eventually end up dead. Their families are sworn enemies, this situation creates conflict.
Act 1, Scene 5 is the Ball scene where there is a really happy atmosphere and Shakespeare creates a mood where the audience will feel at comfortable and at ease. This is shown by Lord Capulet's conversation which has nothing to do with the plot but helps create the calm mood2. This scene shows a lot of variety, from tension to love and romance. Tybalt realises that Romeo, the Montague is at the ball and intends to kill him, “Fetch me my rapier, boy!” This creates tension and is quickly followed by Romeo's lines of love, which creates a big contrast in only a few lines. It is used by Shakespeare to keep the audience's attention. Lord Capulet's speech basically tells Tybalt that he is not to cause conflict in their time of celebration. “I would not for the wealth of all the town Here in my house do him disparagement” means Capulet sees Romeo as a kind, honest person and not as a “villain” as described by Tybalt. Shakespeare uses this to show Capulet's authority over the others in the family.