The masks are important props in the scene because they allow Romeo to gain entry to the ball and consequently meet Juliet. This adds to the dramatic effect because of the potential danger that Romeo is putting himself in whilst in the Capulet mansion.
Shakespeare uses Romeo’s romantic speech when he first sets eyes on Juliet, this make the scene dramatic because it intensifies the mood straight after the happy and joking speech made by Capulet. “Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” suggests that Juliet is too precious to be on Earth and is an insight into the ill-fated future of their relationship. “Like a rich jewel in an Eithope’s ear.” shows the contrast she is to everything else. This beautiful imagery adds dramatic effect. References to white are used to show the innocence and purity of Juliet. “So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows”
Shakespeare creates effective drama by introducing the angry assault of Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt when Romeo has finishes his love speech. It is hateful and strong towards Romeo. “What dares the slave come hither” and “To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin” shows the hate and rivalry between Tybalt and Romeo. This is very dramatically effective. If Lord Capulet had not interfered: “Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone;” the audience fears he would, as promised “Strike him dead.” With Capulet’s change from the jovial host to an angry man, especially when his commands are thwarted by Tybalt “He shall not be endured” and Tybalt’s swearing to revenge himself later, a shocked audience would be still left fearing what is still to come for Romeo and therefore great dramatic effective is created.
The scene then shifts back to love, and the climax of the scene is undoubtedly the sonnet that Romeo and Juliet share dramatically. The beginning “If I profane my unworthiest hand” shows the seriousness of their feelings towards each other. Romeo suggests that he is unworthy of Juliet’s beauty and that to kiss would be a small sin. “To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.” Romeo also compares a Holy Shrine to Juliet’s hand. “Have not saint’s lips; and holy palmers too?” Religious imagery is used here. It suggests the pilgrims going to Jerusalem, with the pilgrim worshiping underlying the true depth and purity of their love. Their love is confirmed in the final couplet “Saints do not move, through grant for prayers sake” (Romeo) “Then move not while my prayers effect I take.”(Juliet.) This serious conclusion to the sonnet makes dramatic effect. The language of the sonnet is serious and at times almost formal considering that they are declaring their love. “Good pilgrim, you do no wrong your hand too much.” This gives dignity to their love. The audience’s perception of their love and their view on the characters would be shaped by this: it would promote a sympathetic view.
The shared sonnet is a dramatic device in itself as the audience would recognise it as the beginning of their love, knowing what is to come in their relationship.
Romeo and Juliet are ecstatically happy but this is short lived as the scene again shifts and by contrast the mood becomes one of despair as they discover they should be enemies, of course a critical and dramatic moment in the play. Romeo says “O dear account! my life is my foe’s debt” meaning how he owes his life to his enemy.
At the end of the scene the language becomes despairing, adding dramatic effect. Juliet enquires about Romeo to Nurse “Go ask his name: if he be married my graver is like to be my wedding bed.” This is another reference to death, and shows her inner thoughts about death before she even knows who Romeo is. “His name is Romeo, and a Montague; The only son of your great enemy.” Nurse replies. Juliet is understandably distraught. “My only love sprung from my only hate!” she cries. She has found love in a family that she has been brought up to hate and that she knows no differently than to hate them.
Just as the mood constantly switches, there is a change in Shakespeare’s use of language in the scene which adds great dramatic impact. Rhyming couplets are used in the sonnet. Juliet – “Saints do not move, through grant for prayers sake” (Romeo) “Then move not, while my prayer’s effect I take.” “Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear” is how Romeo describes Juliet, another dramatic insight into their doomed future,
The main themes in the play are obviously love and hate. The two themes exist not only throughout the play but also throughout the world. That is one of the main reasons why the play is so popular; billions of people of all ages can relate to love and hate.
Parental approval of a relationship is still an issue just as it was when Shakespeare wrote the play.
Another key theme in the play that is as relevant today as it was at Shakespeare’s time of writing is violence. This unfortunately goes on everyday in the world. There are violent scenes throughout the play which add a great amount of dramatic effect.
Romeo and Juliet is arguably Shakespeare’s most popular play and the fact it is still being performed today is proof of its success. It has also inspired many books and films. That we, the audience know a lot of information before the key characters do makes us as an audience feel involved and at times frustrated.
I say, that as one of if not the most important scene in the play, Act 1 scene 5 is very dramatically effective. It is so because Shakespeare, used Capulets speech to set a happy mood. Throughout the scene the switches in atmosphere and mood add dramatic effect. Shakespeare expresses Romeo’s declaration of his love for Juliet to intensify the mood and add dramatic effect. Then Tybalt’s angry speech was used to remind us of the hatred and conflict between Capulet and Montague also to use the key theme of hate. Finally Shakespeare adds the sonnet to add to the drama and passion and also to represent a key theme, love. The striking imagery used adds dramatic effect. The fact that Romeo shouldn’t be in the Capulet house, and is only there because he has disguised himself with a mask makes us feel anxious for Romeo and therefore is successfully dramatically effective.
Arguably the most memorable, famous and dramatic moments occur in this scene, such as the meeting of the pair, the love sonnet and the discovery that they are enemies.
This scene sets the way perfectly for the rest of the play. I certainly found it entertaining and it made me want to read onto the rest of the great tale “Romeo and Juliet.”
