Romeo and Juliet - How does Shakespeare dramatise Act 1 Scene 5?

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Shakespeare Coursework

How does Shakespeare dramatise Act 1 Scene 5?

In this scene Shakespeare shows the audience the divine love between Romeo and Juliet surrounded by the framework of hatred that inevitably kills them both. The contrast between the love and the hatred highlights their undying love for each other and shows how impossible their relationship is.  It changes the way we view how important the two emotions are in the conflict between the Montague and Capulet families. The end of this scene leaves the audience with a feeling of doom when the two lovers find out their only love is “a loathed enemy.”

Shakespeare sets the scene with a lighthearted opening. He prepares for this scene with the servants, they enter speaking informally (in prose, not verse), and about all the work they have to do. This prepares for the grand entrance when the Capulets come on stage, in procession, wearing expensive clothing and speaking in verse.  The stage is filled with activity as the servants rush about, moving furniture and preparing us for the eventful goings-on that proceed. Shakespeare does this by using short sentences or phrases, “Look to the plate. God thou”, repetition, “He shift a trencher! He scrape a trencher!” and lots of punctuation to add to the effect, “ Antony! And Potpan!” This is a clear indication that the meal is over and the dancing is about to begin. The servants will have props to show that they are clearing up. The servants' simple clothes will show their status - today they might wear the formal clothes of waiters.  However, the wealthy noble guests will have expensive formal clothes. The young men are allowed to be “maskers” and wear the masks to hide who they are. This lets them act in a familiar way to a lady, and flirt or attempt courtship. There are opportunities for dancing, and the scene should have music for this.  It appears that the ball is going to be a happy occasion as Capulet is a jovial host when he enters, and welcomes the masquers in a happy mood.  

It is now that Romeo catches sight of Juliet for the first time.  Her beauty overwhelms him and Romeo sees Juliet dancing with another man, Romeo reacts to this by saying Juliet “enriches his hand” which starts the recurrent theme of holy imagery, where Romeo believes that Juliet is like a divine being.  It is love at first sight and when Romeo sees Juliet he speaks about her, using metaphor: “She doth teach the torches to burn bright.”  This tells us that Juliet's beauty is much brighter than that of the torches - so she is very beautiful. She is so much brighter that she teaches the torches how to shine - a poetic exaggeration, since torches can't really be taught. It is important for Romeo to say this, as the audience cannot see Juliet's beauty directly as her character would be acted by a boy at that time.  But the metaphor also tells us that it is night, as Romeo can see the torches he compares her to. The audience must imagine this, as the play is performed by daylight, and no lighted torch would be safe in the theatre. Earlier in the play Benvolio has said that he will show Romeo women who will make his “swan” (Rosaline) look like a “crow” (supposedly a common and ugly bird). Now Romeo, in a very similar comparison, says that Juliet is like a “snowy dove” among “crows” (the other women). She stands out in a dark room as a bright jewel (which would catch the torchlight) in the ear of a dark-skinned person. The contrast of light and darkness in these comparisons suggests that Juliet is fair-skinned and perhaps fair-haired while most of the other women are dark. Although other people are on stage as Romeo says these things, he really speaks his thoughts or thinks aloud - so these speeches are soliloquies (solo speaking). Romeo uses iambic pentameter when he is speaking about Juliet.  “It seems she hangs upon the check of night” and speaks in poetic rhyme to set the tone “Bright, night” Romeo expresses his love towards Juliet as something too great for this earth “Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear” This is ironic as their love is too great for this earth and they have to kill themselves to be together. Immediately before this scene, Romeo has spoken of his fear that some terrible “consequence yet hanging in the stars” shall begin at “this night's revels” which comes true as soon as he finds out Juliet is his “foes debt” Romeo questions himself “Did my heart love till now” The audience will be swept up by Romeo’s emotions but unprepared for what is about to come.

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Romeos heart filled speech is directly followed by Tybalt’s anger. Whilst Romeo stands in wonder he is observed by Tybalt, who recognises him as an enemy, Tybalts reaction is immediate, a foe means a fight “fetch me my rapier, boy” This would be a shock for the audience as it is a direct contrast to what Romeo was telling us.  We realise the threat is there and how hard it will be for Romeo and Juliet to be together.  Tybalt’s explosion of anger ends in a Rhyming couplet showing the audience his fury towards the Montague family.

        

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