Shakespeare Makes Act 1 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet Dramatically Effective Essay Example

effective.

Shakespeare shows how much Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet, his passionate language contrasts with the teasing character of Capulet’s own speech and the story line now dramatically changes to a romance. At the same time however Shakespeare creates an anxious atmosphere as the audience are aware that Romeo does not know Juliet is actually a Capulet. The anxious atmosphere Shakespeare creates reaches boiling point when Tybalt, Lady Capulet’s nephew, sees Romeo at the ball. He uses strong words such as “to strike him dead I hold him not as sin. Compared to Romeo’s loving speech Tybalt’s statement shows the real hatred between the two families, he is vicious and wants a fight.

The effect is to build up tension among the audience as they are led to believe conflict may occur. Tybalt takes matters into his own hands and goes to tell Lord Capulet that “this Montague our foe a villain that his hirtheo come in spite”. But lord Capulet surprisingly says “Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well governed youth I would not for the wealth of all the town therefore be patient take no note of him. Although the tense atmosphere is now reduced Tybalt may be seen by the audience as cause for concern later on in the play. So the unease still remains. With Tybalt’s threat squashed Romeo approaches Juliet and they share a sonnet. Romeo says “If I profane with my unworthiest hand the holy shrine, the gentle sin is this…” Juliet responds “good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much... ” In writing a sonnet Shakespeare isolates Romeo and Juliet

from Capulet’s other guests and emphasizes the special moment of their first meeting.

The audience can tell that Juliet likes Romeo as well as she responds to his approach. Shakespeare creates dramatic effect because Juliet shares his imagery of god like things and the rhyming patters of Romeo first verse. The sonnet that they share, show they are both connected to each and gives the impression that they are both really in love. Shakespeare ends the scene with the biggest dramatic affect of all, after Romeo and Juliet kiss they are interrupted by the nurse who calls Juliet saying “madam your mother craves a word with you”.

It is then that Romeo finds out that Juliet is a Capulet. He responds in shock “is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt”. When he is taken away by his friend Benvolio the nurse then reveals to Juliet that Romeo is a Montague, Juliet is in despair exclaiming “my only love sprung from my only hate” at this point Shakespeare creates a lot of tension and uncertainty, the audience are left wondering what will happen to the lovers, there is even some irony of events likely to come when Juliet claims she will die if she ant marry him.

Shakespeare has successfully made the scene dramatically effective by creating ongoing ups and downs. At times the play looked to have deep romance and while other times tension occurred. Act 1 scene 5 is crucial to the rest of the play because, the revelation that Romeo and Juliet, (children from opposing families) fall in love sets up the reason for

the tragedy that is to come. It also engages the audiences as it represents a real turning point in the play.

This cliff-hanger is the most dramatic effect in a scene that includes the universal themes of love and hate. This is relevant to audiences today because friendships and enemies form on the basis of love and hate so these themes are easily relatable. Even in today’s TV shows love and hate are common themes. Overall, it could be said that Shakespeare has created a scene that is very dramatic and that has influenced modern plays and TV shows.