The ball that is being held at the Capulet mansion is a masked ball. This is an important factor because if the Capulet’s knew that there was a group of Montague’s at their ball they would be outraged. “How long is’t now since last yourself and I were in a mask?” This quote shows that the guests at the ball are in masks. At the beginning of the scene Capulet welcomes all is guests to the ball, not knowing that he was also welcoming Montague’s because all of the guests were wearing masks.
When Romeo first sees Juliet his words are distinctively different to Capulet’s. The quote that shows this is “What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand.” In act one scene five Romeo uses imagery of light to describe Juliet’s beauty. This technique is very effective as it is very descriptive and allows the audience to see Romeos feelings for Juliet. The quote from the play that shows imagery of light to describe Juliet is “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the check of night as a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear.” The first section of the quote is saying that from all the beautiful women at the ball Juliet is the most beautiful. In the second section of the quote Romeo describes Juliet as a rich jewel as he finds no other way to describe her beauty. The way in which Romeo talks about Juliet is very descriptive and helps the audience to see Juliet in Romeos eyes.
Whilst Romeo is describing Juliet’s beauty, Tybalt recognises Romeo and realises there are Montague’s at the ball. Tybalt interrupts Romeo “This, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy.” Tybalt recognises Romeos voice as a Montague even though he is wearing a mask. Tybalt then demands a weapon so that he can kill Romeo. Tybalt does not like the idea of a Montague gate crashing and Capulet ball and wants to seek revenge.
The audience sense a change in mood in this scene. At the beginning of the scene everyone was enjoying themselves at the ball, however later on in the scene the mood changes to a more violent and hatred filled scene. “Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe: a villain that is hither comes in spite, to scorn at our solemnity this night.” This quote shows the change in mood through the descriptive words used. The words in this quote that change the mood of the scene are foe, villain, spite and scorn. All these words have hatred and aggressive impact on the scene.
After Tybalt interrupts Romeo describing Juliet Capulet who is the host of the ball, compliments Romeo even though he knows that he is a Montague. “A bears him like a portly gentleman; and to say truth, Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth.” This is a compliment to Romeo as Capulet says Verona brags of him. By saying this it means that Romeo has good qualities and is an asset to Verona, where Romeo lives.
Capulet pays a compliment to Romeo who is related to his sworn enemies however he humiliates Tybalt in front of all his guests. Capulet does this so that his ball is not ruined. The quote that shows Tybalt’s humiliation is “What, Goodman boy, I say he shall, go to! Am I the master here, or you? Go to! You’ll not endure him? God shall mend my soul; you’ll make mutiny among my guests!” Capulet reminds Tybalt that he is the master of the ball and Tybalt is not. By doing this Capulet humiliates Tybalt in front of his guests and makes him feel small.
When Romeo and Juliet speak to each other for the first time they use religious language to describe one another. A section of the scene where Romeo and Juliet talk to each other using religious language is when they kiss for the first time.
“Juliet Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
Romeo Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.”
In the language used they have not used the word kiss and they have replaced it with “sin.” Where normally in a play it would be kiss me again Romeo substitutes the word kiss with sin and says “Give me my sin again.” This is a good example of religious language when Romeo and Juliet first meet.
When Romeo and Juliet first meet, Juliet uses a metaphor to describe Romeos lips. The quote that Juliet uses to describe Romeos lips is “Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.” From this quote Juliet says that Romeo has lips like someone who would say a prayer. Juliet is trying to say that Romeo is innocent and young; she tries to get this message across using a metaphor which livens up their dialogue.
After Romeo and Juliet meets for the first time, they are split apart within minutes by the nurse who interrupts their conversation. After Romeo kisses Juliet for the second time the nurse interrupts and informs her “Madam, your mother craves a word with you.” The Nurse interrupts and tells Juliet that her mother needs to talk to her.
At the time the play was written, the position of women was very different than it is today. The time Romeo and Juliet was written the majority of people were getting married by the age of fifteen and would have children by the age of seventeen. However nowadays it is illegal to get married at such a young age. Women now have much more rights than before.
Shakespeare creates tension in “Romeo and Juliet” using various techniques. The use of dramatic irony makes the play much more interesting from the audience’s perspective. All the emotions shown by the characters in the play help build up the tension. Also the sudden changes in mood help to create tension as the audience cannot tell what is going to happen next.