Shakespeare uses Romeo’s quixotic soliloquy to intensify the mood of the party and to twist the themes again from hatred to love. His passion identifies to the audience for the first time how he feels about Juliet- even though this is the first time they have encountered each other. “For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night”, he speaks of Juliet’s beauty being pure and true as he also compares her to a dove which represents these feelings, it also symbolises peace- which is of total contrast to the key theme of hate. By using the word “ne’er” Romeo is completely dismissing his previous “love” Rosaline, who before the Capulet’s party was the only one for him. He outlines that Juliet’s beauty is unmatched by those in the room by comparing her to “a rich jewel in an ethiopes ear.” She stands out from the dark sombre crowd of hatred and dazzles like a jewel beaming youthfulness with vibrant character. Also, jewels are rare and precious, so for Romeo to compare her to one, he’s inferring that she is worth holding on to, this is a crucially foreshadowing moment for Shakespeare as he gives us the audience an insight of what’s to come! The speech as a whole shows Romeo in his true light- Shakespeare has created him to be a typical romantic Renaissance man, exaggerated, highly emotional, eager for change and poetic. The speech has high power because Shakespeare has decided to use rhyming couplets. Shakespeare has created contrasts – bright and night, with these ends to the opening lines. Shakespeare has related this speech to the relationship of Romeo and Juliet at this point in the play as they are, two total opposite characters that somehow connect to become the most famous couple in English Literature.
Shakespeare creates excitement but also an element of terror to the play by introducing the speech of Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. Tybalt is strong and hateful towards Romeo, as he is aware that there is one, if not more Montagues present at an all Capulet Ball. By using dialogue such as ‘what dare that slave come hither’ and ‘uncle, this is a Montague, our foe’ Shakespeare is able to translate the forceful hate and rivalry, possessed between Tybalt to Romeo and generally the drama and conflict between Capulet and Montague. The word “slave” is quite demeaning and as Tybalt uses this undermining language, he is inferring that Romeo is very much of lower importance than himself. This is very tense for the audience but it is however also very thrilling. Capulet’s response to Tybalt is to say that Romeo is a “virtuous and well governed youth”, this is an uplifting change to the hatred and aggression which came from Tybalt. Shakespeare has chosen for Capulet to react in rather a peculiar way after Tybalts outcry, by referring to Romeo as “virtuous” he seems to have dismissed the fact he is involved in such a serious dispute and keeps the scene flowing with love and affection.
Act 1 Scene 5 is the first time in the play that Romeo and Juliet have met and quite amazingly when they speak their first ever conversation forms a perfect Shakespearian sonnet. The rhyme scheme is: a,b,a,b,c,d,c,d,e,f,e,f,g,g. There are seven rhyming couplets. The rhythm is iambic pentameter which would have been traditional and easily recognised by the Elizabethan audience as a traditional love poem. At the end of the 14 lines the sonnet is ended with a kiss. "He kisses her". The kiss highlights the key theme of love again, which in itself is very exciting for the audience, combined with the danger which comes with the fact that kissing before marriage was a major sin and could result in death! This may have been shocking for some viewers as religion was of high importance in the 1600’s, however for those embracing the Renaissance, it would have been a thrilling and refreshing change. By writing their conversation like this, Shakespeare is emphasizing the special bond between Romeo and Juliet as the prologue says "Star-crossed lovers". Their physical attraction heightens the tension as we the audience know their love is forbidden due to the Ancient feud; however, they are not yet partied to this information. This key element portrays dramatic irony as the truth being revealed- could change the light and loving atmosphere, to a grave and unhappy time in a blink of an eye. The language they use also emphasizes their love, Romeo describes Juliet's hand as "holy shrine" which his lips have made a pilgrimage to see and touch. He sees her as a "saint" and quickly moves from images of "palmers kiss" to "prayer" in order to kiss Juliet's lips. He says "My sin is purg'd" and by kissing Juliet his Saint means as the sinning pilgrim he is cleansed of his sins by kissing Juliet again. Their kiss and sonnet is exhilarating for the audience as the passion and tension between Romeo and Juliet is extremely high. Both Romeo and Juliet go to excessive measures to be together, however, at times they seem unnerved and their love seems to be very fragile.
Act 1, Scene 5 is one of, if not, the most important scene in the play, it is very dramatic; because Shakespeare used Capulet’s speech to set a contrasting happy mood to that of the beginning of the play, so already this scene was very different. Shakespeare expressed Romeo’s declaration of his love for Juliet to intensify the mood threefold. Then Tybalt’s speech was used to resurrect the hatred and conflict between the Capulet and Montague family, also to highlight the key them of hate. Finally Shakespeare added the kiss of Romeo and Juliet, to heighten the drama and passion but also to represent the other key theme, that of love. These two themes love and hate exist not only throughout the play but also throughout the world and time, that is why the play is so popular because billions can relate to love and hate. It has also inspired many films, books and plays after its time, for example the stage production of West Side Story and the song “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. Love and hate make Romeo and Juliet not just an exciting play but a relatable one too and Act 1 Scene 5 really enhances this due to the continued change in love and hate perspective. However, without the crucial conciliation at the Capulet Party, there would have never been “a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
