Many significant events happen in act 1 scene 5. The scene is set at a masked ball at the Capulet mansion. Things that happen in this scene help to develop the play, and help the audience to understand events that happen later in the play.
The opening scene is about the servants rushing around and getting ready for the ball, “Away with the join-stools, remove the court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save me a piece of marchpane, and as thou loves me, let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell”. This shows that the ball is important because they are spending so long getting ready for the ball. The ball is held for Juliet and Paris to get together.
In spite of his fearful misgivings, Romeo decides to go along with the others to Capulet’s party. At the ball Romeo catches sight of Juliet for the first time. “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” this points out that he seems to fall in love with her at first sight. At the beginning of the play Romeo thinks he is madly in love with Rosaline, this shows us that Romeo is a character that falls in love very easily. Also this reminds us that Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time in this scene, there is a lot of emotion, especially love and passion. Romeo seems mesmerised and almost entranced by Juliet's beauty when she catches his eye. He describes her as “a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear” and says that she has “Beauty too rich for use”. Romeo uses the contrast of colour to help describe her. As he says “a snowy dove trooping with crows” Romeo compares the black and white suggesting that Juliet is like a beautiful white dove and everyone else compared to her, looks like crows which are thought to be black and dull. Another way of interpreting a “dove” is to suggest that Juliet is innocent and immaculate like a dove appears to be. Doves also mate for life, almost like they fall in love which links to the love between Romeo and Juliet.
Another key event in Act 1 Scene 5 is when Tybalt recognises Romeo at the Capulet’s ball. This also helps to build up tension, as Romeo is totally unaware that Tybalt has noticed him. When Tybalt spots Romeo, Tybalt is outraged and threatens to kill him, “To strike him dead I hold it not a sin”. This shows that Tybalt does not think it is wrong to slay anyone who dishonours his family’s name. Tybalt is shown to be a very quick-tempered character that is not afraid to fight to defend his family. Another clue to Tybalt’s character is the way in which Mercutio describes him as the “prince of cats”. This is suggesting that he’s agile, and that he pursues his pray in the style of a cat. Like when he would not give up until he fought Romeo. It could also mean that he has sharp claws like a cat or even that he could have nine lives. Cats are elegant, yet fierce, as is Tybalt and they always land on their feet. Mercutio also describes Tybalt as a “duellist” to the same effect.
The first thing that Tybalt says when he recognises Romeo is “Fetch me my rapier, boy”. This is an order that he gave to a servant. Tybalt speaks and acts differently around different characters. When he is speaking to Capulet, he is not as arrogant or dominant as he is when he speaks to his equals or servants as he speaks to his equals or servants as he speaks to these as Capulet speaks to him, in a commanding tone. Even though his obvious joy for confrontations show when he is speaking to Capulet, he obeys the order not to attack Romeo and has to “endure him”. Tybalt points out to Capulet that Romeo is present by saying “Tis he, that villain Romeo” and says that he has come “To scorn at our solemnity” showing that Tybalt is enraged that Romeo crept into the Capulet mansion and Tybalt thinks that he has done it to mock them and pick fun at the Capulet household. When Tybalt says that he will fight Romeo, Capulet becomes enraged and says “let him alone”, showing that he does not want tension at his party. Capulet does this out of pride, not wanting to cause a scene at his own party as he fears it would bring shame on his family. This unwillingness to cause a fight shows Capulet to also hold his name in high esteem. This is shown by Capulet saying, “I would not for the wealth of this town, here in this house do him disparagement”. This shows that to him pride is much more important than his wealth.
Tybalt not being able to avenge Romeo at the ball swears vengeance on him. “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall”. Tybalt vows to get his revenge on Romeo, knowing that should the two families’ fight again their live could be at stake. In Act 1 Scene 1 the Prince says; “If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of peace”. This builds up tension, as the audience are aware of the fact if a fight should occur between the two families, the culprits will be sentenced to death. This is a risk that Tybalt is willing to take to dishonour the name of Montague.
Tybalt’s character highlights the theme; hate. Hate is one of the strongest themes and emotions in the play. The “ancient grudge” between the “Montague” household and the “Capulet” family is stressed profoundly in the first four lines of the prologue. Another example of hate is “civil blood makes civil hands unclean” showing that both families are high status and they should know better than to brawl, but they still do it anyway. The words “rage” and “mutiny” are also used. Death is also mentioned in the prologue referring to the many deaths in the play. The most important deaths are when Romeo and Juliet kill themselves. The prologue says, “with their death” and “children’s end”. It also says, “take their life” and death-marked”. The prologue really emphasizes all the key themes that run through the play right to the end.
One significant event of the scene is Romeo and Juliet's meeting. Up until this point, tension has been building, since it was said in the prologue that as soon as the lovers meet, they are destined to die; “A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”. This shows that these two people can never be together, as fate will not allow it and that as soon as they meet for the first time the downward slope in the plot will begin. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony here to build up a sense of foreboding.
This scene also helps to develop the characters of Romeo and Juliet. It helps to show that Romeo acts instinctively and does not tend to think through the consequences of his actions. On first seeing Juliet, he says; “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight!” this shows that although he has never spoken to this women before, he claims to be in love with her. When he finds out that she is a Capulet, it is made clear that Romeo did not think ahead that Juliet could possibly be a Capulet, even though he was attending their party. Shakespeare shows this aspect of Romeo’s character in this scene, to help explain why other events happen later in the play, such as Romeo slaying Tybalt. Without making Romeo’s failure to be able to think ahead clear, it would be hard for the audience to understand why he suddenly turns from trying to make peace, to becoming a murderer. Juliet’s character is also developed in this scene. She is shown to be quite, immature and naive. She is easily wooed by someone she has never met, claiming he has fallen in love with her. She calls Romeo’ kiss a sin; “Then have my lips, the sin that they have took”. This shows the innocence of Juliet, as she believes a kiss to be a sin.
In the lover’s sonnet, many examples of religious imagery are used. Romeo refers to himself as a “pilgrim” and Juliet says she is the figure that the pilgrims worship. Calling Juliet a “saint”, helps to show her innocence and naivety, and calling Romeo a “pilgrim”, shows that Juliet is something special, of a higher class than he is and that she is much more precious. The meeting of the lovers is set out like a sonnet, to show how just like words, Romeo and Juliet fit together in a way that is perfect. Flamboyant language is used to stress the feeling towards each other. This is shown by Romeo when he says; “it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night, as a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear. Beauty to rich for use, for earth too dear.” Juliet also shows exaggerated language when she says; “You kiss by the book”. Here Juliet implies that Romeo kisses expertly. This reaction to his kiss shows that Juliet is overcome with passion towards Romeo.
Romeo describes Juliet in metaphors and similes. A metaphor being, “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” showing that Juliet is more than a torch, so much so, that she teaches them to look lovely. One of the similes is, “As a rich jewel” which shows that in Romeo’s eyes, Juliet is as beautiful and precious as a jewel. Shakespeare uses some imagery to great effect here, so a clearer picture is presented to the imagination. When Romeo says, “she hangs upon the cheeks of night” it is easy to imagine Juliet looking stunning against the darkness of night.
The meeting helps reinforce the themes of fate and love in the play. It shows that from this point on, nothing can stop Romeo and Juliet’s love, as fate has already prevailed as the lovers have met.
The main turning point of the tragedy is when Romeo and Juliet realise each other’s identity. Shakespeare formed Act 1 Scene 5 so that when the lovers realise each other’s true identity it is at the end of the scene. This is done to begin the downward slope of destruction. It is also done to set up tension within the scene, for as soon as the lovers meet, the audience are waiting for the realisation that they are supposed to be sworn enemies, and that they cannot be together. Now that Romeo and Juliet are aware of each other’s identity, it sets up dramatic irony, as now the audience know that the lovers are heading towards their death. When Romeo first finds out that Juliet is a Capulet, he reacts by saying “my life is my foe’s debt”. Meaning that his relationship with Juliet will cost him dearly. This is another example linked back to the prologue where Romeo and Juliet’s fate is predicted. It also links to ensure feelings that Romeo had about going to Capulet’s party. At the end of Act 1 Scene 4, Romeo confesses how uneasy he is and shows that he thinks that the night at Capulet’s party will reveal “some veil forfeit of untimely death”. This proves to be correct, like a prophecy. In the very last part of the scene Juliet says, “If he be married, my grave is like to be my wedding bed”. Juliet does not know this, but if she does marry Romeo she shall die.
In my opinion this scene is important, because the aspects of love, hate, death and fate are occurring all the time throughout the play and I think that those key themes help to hold the play together by linking the scenes and making vital connections. Without this scene it would be hard for the audience to understand many of the character’s actions in later scenes. Without this scene, Tybalt would not want revenge on Romeo; therefore Romeo would not end up being banished for slaying Tybalt. This scene is used as the main turning point of the play and is therefore vital. I think this scene is effectively as it sets up a lot tension and keeps the audience interested.
