In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet?

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In what ways does Shakespeare in Act 1 Scene 1 introduce dramatic tension and some of the key themes in Romeo and Juliet?

        Shakespeare introduces dramatic tension at the very beginning of the play in the prologue. This introductory verse is very important as it has to be quite powerful to keep the audience hooked and want to watch the rest of the play. The prologue is written in a Shakespearean sonnet, which is a fourteen line poem with ten syllables in each line and five of them stressed. All of this turns out to be rather effective as it gives the prologue a rhythm to it. It includes iambic pentameter which was very traditional and popular in those times as a love poem. This is also the very beginning introductory paragraph on love. Shakespeare then begins to tell us about the long feud between the Montague’s and Capulet’s, but not why it has started. This creates an effective atmosphere as the audience cannot judge either household or who is right in the feud so they stay open-minded throughout the play. Next he introduces both households, Montague’s and Capulet’s and then tells us about Romeo and Juliet. He talks about them as “Star cross’d lovers” which makes us think about fate and that was how they met. The prologue talks a great deal about violence and death due to all the fighting throughout the play, and the deaths of some of the main characters including Romeo and Juliet.

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        Sampson and Gregory in Act 1 Scene 1 use bawdy language and puns in their speech to create a humorous atmosphere. This way they can relax the audience and make them feel calmer and not as tense before any major fights occur. “My naked weapon is out. Quarrel. I will back thee.” This is one of their many humorous quotes. Shakespeare begins the play like this to give the audience a light hearted view of what’s going on before the seriousness of it all takes place. The first scene begins in a jovial way ready to build up tension before ...

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