To explore this question I am going to examine how Shakespeare creates and maintains dramatic tension in Act One Scene Five.This is a pivotal scene in which Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time and fall in love.

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“Romeo And Juliet.”

By William Shakespeare.

English/English Literature Coursework.

By Samantha Espin.

        

        To explore this question I am going to examine how Shakespeare creates and maintains dramatic tension in Act One Scene Five.

        This is a pivotal scene in which Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time and fall in love.

        I am going to discuss the servants’ busy preparations for the party, Romeo’s passionate soliloquy on first glimpsing Juliet, Tybalt’s recognition of Romeo and his subsequent anger and Romeo and Juliet’s horrified reactions at discovering that they are enemies.

        I am also going to study Shakespeare’s use of language and imagery, his use of Elizabethan sonnet form and the social and historical context of the play.

        To start with, I am going to mention that at the end of the preceding scene, Romeo has a premonition. He foresees his own death.

Romeo:        

        This would mean that the tension level is already quite high, as a consequence of this scene ending with such a sense of foreboding. This tension is relieved somewhat by the actions of the servants.

The servants’ busy preparations for the banquet create dramatic tension in that they are frantic and loud. The tension is initially created, and maintained, while the servants’ shout and call each other. They create an impression of disorder and a sense that everything is speeding up.

Servant 1:

        The servants’ speeches are written in blank verse, which contrasts greatly with the lyrical words of Romeo and Juliet and also with that of Lord Capulet and Tybalt.

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        The scene then moves on to Lord Capulet welcoming his guests to the party. He is in a good mood and greets his guests warmly. This causes the tension created by the servants to dissipate slightly and the audience can relax a little. Lord Capulet’s speeches are very flamboyant and full of life. A festive atmosphere is rapidly established.

Lord Capulet:

        His speeches are full of noble language that contrasts greatly with the coarse language used by the servants previously.

The next event in this scene is when Romeo first sees Juliet. Her beauty stuns him.

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