Romeo and Juliet - How does Shakespeare Make Act 1 Scene 5 Dramatically effective

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Romeo and Juliet

How does Shakespeare Make Act 1 Scene 5

Dramatically effective

At the beginning of Act 1 Scene 5 the audience are full of anticipation and expectation. The two feuding families, the Capulets And Montaghue’s, had just had a major disagreement resulting in a fight breaking out in the town. The Prince threatened them and stated that if he saw any of the families fighting again they would be sentenced to death!!

        That same night, Capulet is holding a ball and Romeo (a Montague) decides to go, in order to find his true love Rosalyn. At the end of Act 1 Scene 4 Romeo has had a premonition that the night’s events will ultimately lead to his untimely death. This premonition increases the tension and creates a high level of expectation and a feeling of dread and pessimism amongst the audience.

        Act 1 Scene 5 opens with the servants preparing for the ball. As Shakespeare’s theatre did not have any sophisticated scenery, this was a method of signalling to the audience that a new scene was beginning. The atmosphere is created and changed by the lighting. For example, the lighting can be dark, which creates the illusion of a gloomy atmosphere, or it can be lighter, indicating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. When this bright illumination is utilised, it can also make the audience optimistic and almost believe that something good is going to happen purely because of the lighting.

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         Shakespeare has Capulet make a dramatic and spectacular entrance to the ball accompanied by a gaggle of beautifully dressed guests. This is a contrasting atmosphere as it temporarily lightens and cheers the audience, keeping them interested all the time.  There are many guests thronging the ball and many guests in masks. This adds to the rising tension because the audience are aware that Romeo is amongst the masquers and this leads them to become concerned that Capulet is going to recognise him. The tension decreases when Capulet relates that he used to be a masquer himself. Capulet greets everyone ...

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