Shakespeare's Focus of Attention on Romeo and Juliet in Act 1 Scene 5
This scene is set at a party hosted by Lord Capulet. Romeo and his friends sneak into the party, but because it is a masked party they are not recognised. Tybalt, however, hears Romeo's voice and realises who it is. He complains to Lord Capulet, who orders Tybalt to let the subject drop because he has heard that Romeo is a very respectable youth, but also because he does not wish to appear to be inhospitable in his own home. Tybalt complies, but swears revenge.
This is also the scene where Romeo first sees and then meets Juliet. This is the main event of the scene, and one of the most important events of the play, because it sets
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One thing that is shown not in this particular scene but in the events leading up to it is how events seem to be conspiring to make Romeo and Juliet meet. For example, it is only a chance meeting of Romeo and the servant of Lord Capulet which alerts Romeo and his friends to the fact that a party is being held at all. In an entire town full of people the chance of Romeo meeting that servant are incredibly slight.
Then there is Romeo's combined unwillingness to go out of general depression in the height of his gloom about Rosaline, and also his fear of some untold event to come. Either of these should have been enough to keep him away and it is only after much persuasion that Mercutio, a character particularly skilful with his tongue, that Romeo is persuaded to go.
Juliet is almost promised to Paris before the party takes place, and Lord Capulet's decision that she is too young to be married was unusual for such times. The text suggests that Paris had asked many times before, and been refused before, at least partly because Lord Capulet wished to know if his daughter wanted to marry Paris.
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Part way through the scene Tybalt swears revenge on Romeo for entering the party. His line
"This intrusion shall/ Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall", Act 1 Scene 5 lines 89/90
is intended as a prediction of what he will do to Romeo. However, it is an inadvertent prediction of what will happen to all who are involved in these events. Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and Tybalt himself will all end up dead as a direct result of the events which took place that night, and the families of the deceased are all touched deeply by their deaths.
When Romeo and Juliet first meet, there is a childlike happiness and naivety to their meeting. This shows in part exactly how young and inexperienced their characters are.
This scene ends with Romeo and Juliet both in despair, because they have both belatedly realised who the other is. This despair is
Romeo senses tensions are high with Tybalt, so he states, “I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise.” (Lines 65-66 Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is trying to diffuse the situation because he realizes that Tybalt is his love's cousin. Mercutio is surprised by Romeo’s behavior, so he decides to fight Tybalt himself. Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt leads to his own death. Romeo is angered by the death of Mercutio and states, “Now, Tybalt, take the “villain" back again/ That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” (Lines 123-124 of Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is indicating that Tybalt is the villain now, because he slayed Mercutio. Romeo forgets about his attempt to befriend the Capulets and slays Tybalt. Romeo, murderer of Tybalt, solely focuses on Juliet and states “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death"/For exile hath more terror in his look.” (Lines 12-13 of Act Three, Scene Three). Romeo does not care about Tybalt’s life, but only cares for the way it affects his relationship with Juliet. Romeo’s mother dies out of grief because of his banishment. Romeo’s recklessness in loving Juliet has led to the death of three
Juliet, the daughter of the Capulet's; he says he has never loved until he meets her which is ironic because before this he was saying how he loved Rosaline. At this party Tybalt sees Romeo and swears revenge at a later stage by saying: "Patience perforce, with wilful choler meeting, makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting: I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt'rest gall". He says this, as he isn't allowed to cause any trouble at the party. This later leads to Mercutio's death and Romeo's exile. There is no sub plot because Shakespeare wants all the attention
However, due to his intrusion of the Capulet party in act one, scene five, it is Tybalt’s rage that jeopardizes Romeo’s well-being. This shows the intensity of Romeo’s love for Juliet, and how he cares more about seeing her than his own safety. For example, in act five, scene three, Romeo kills himself because he believes that Juliet is dead. Love made Romeo put himself in dangerous situations, and caused Juliet to go against what her parents wanted. This is important to the story because it is Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other that ends the feud.
When there is a fight in the market place, Capulet rushes to fight for his honor, “my sword I say, old Montague is come...” Capulet denies Paris’ request to marry Juliet “ and too soon marred are those so early made,” acting for his own good because he wants Juliet to produce many offspring to carry on the Capulets bloodline, since she is his only surviving child. When at the ball Capulet demands Tybalt to let Romeo be,” content thee, gentle coz, let him alone,” but this just fuels Tybalts anger towards Romeo, which eventually ends up in Tybalt causing his own death. Capulet believes he is giving his child the best when he announces her engagement to Paris” she shall be married to this noble earl,” and believes Paris will make a good husband for Juliet. When Juliet refuses Capulet thinks it best to threaten her, “I will drag thee,” but this just makes Juliet turn to more drastic measures.
Tybalt’s loyalty towards the family dispute intoxicates him with a quarrelsome nature. After recognizing Romeo at the Capulet Ball, Tybalt persistently rejects his uncle’s remonstrance to stay serene. Even after being restrained by his Uncle Capulet, he vows vengeance on Romeo in the future as he says, “Patience perforce with willful choler meeting Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall Now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall” (1.5.88-90). Tybalt tends to take each and every “insult” towards his family and himself to heart, without even contemplating their true meaning. Furthermore, Tybalt’s aggravating behavior develops into a clear factor leading to his downfall. When Mercutio is found dead as a result of Tybalt, Romeo confronts him directly with a duel to the death. Rather than trying to discuss and come to a harmonious solution, Tybalt further inflamed the already belligerent environment. He does this by saying, “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence” (3.1.128-129). Tybalt’s relentless threatening behavior never fails to make an already hostile environment even worse. His cruel character is perpetual no matter what the
Before Romeo and Juliet meet, the audience know that Romeo is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet. The audience is also aware that Romeo is deeply in love with a Rosaline, who does not return his feelings. Because of this, Romeo is somewhat depressed. He walks around at night crying and during the day he “makes himself an artificial night” in his bedroom, meaning that he shuts himself in his room all day with the curtains drawn, as Lord Montague says in Act 1 Scene 1. In Act 1 Scene 2, Lord Capulet informs the audience that Juliet is fourteen by saying, “ she hath not seen the change of fourteen years,” when Paris, a wealthy kinsma...
The Ways that Shakespeare Makes Act 1 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet Dramatically Effective
Act 3 scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet is one of the most dramatic of
whether he was really in love with Rosaline, or did he just want to be
and hate in the play. Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight at
Juliet`s beauty instantaneously mesmerizes Romeo, which ultimately diminishes his previous affection for Rosaline. In this scene, impulsive behavior and decision- making are greatly portrayed. During Romeo and Juliet`s first encounter, he asks for a kiss “[my] lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready to stand, / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss” (I.v.95-96). On his initial reaction to seeing her, Romeo boldly approaches Juliet with the sudden desire to kiss her. Romeo`s coaxing portrays his persistent personality and the strong emotion he feels towards her to which is far beyond his control. Consequently, the overpowering feeling that has taken over Romeo, which causes him to ask for a kiss from someone he met moments ago. Ultimately, Romeo`s decision to ask for a kiss
Act 3 Scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet There are several strong cases for Act 3 scene 5 being the pivotal, most important and significant scene in the play. To begin with, it is the last time that Romeo and Juliet are together, alive and well, after this scene Romeo goes to Manchua, and returns only to be near Juliet to die. Until this scene the audience will be convinced that Juliet has a very strong relationship with Nurse, they are obviously a lot closer than Juliet and her mother are, and Juliet relies on Nurse for advice and support. During Art three scene five, the audience's perception of Nurse changes, and Juliet no longer looks to her for support.
As already shown, both Romeo and Juliet are horrified to discover that they were family enemies. Despite of this, they both choose to devote their love for eachother. Given this point, it is unrequited love that brings Romeo and Juliet together. But this also means that they would have to get over the fact that their families hate each other. This eventually leads them to forgiving the rival family for all the hateful acts that have occurred against one another. This is not the only forgiveness that is experienced in this play. Tybalt is a Montague with a fiery attitude. After catching Romeo at a party he was not supposed to be at, Tybalt had it out for Romeo. Just after Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, Tybalt comes looking for him wanting to fight. Romeo does not want to fight because he now loves Tybalt since he is family to him, but neither Tybalt or anyone else knows this reason. Quickly Mercutio steps in and tells Tybalt that he will fight him in honour of Romeo. Sadly this leads to the death of Mercutio. Romeo is angry and in need of revenge, which creates an intense fight between Tybalt and Romeo. Romeo wins this battle, killing Tybalt. He leaves in a hurry, only to discover that he would be banished from Verona. The death of Tybalt is absolutely devastating to Juliet. Her cousin was murdered by her husband. But she did not hesitate to forgive Romeo, she did so right away. She knew that Romeo had a reason for this incident and decides to
Just as the Friar says in the beginning of the Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, “Wisely and slowly, they stumble that run fast.” (II.iii.94). this was a sign of foreshadowing for for the death of the lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Even though fate was a factor that had contributed to a tragic end, there was also personal choice involved, and ultimately, the story may have had a different ending if it weren’t for the flaws of the lovers and their inability to have a grip on reality in dire circumstances. Over the course of the play, the lovers from the conflicting households have not matured and remain rather static in development. Furthermore, in this tragedy, the only son of the montages remains rather childlike, Juliet still seems immature and their relationship over all seems more like a play act on lover rather then something mature and sustainable. Overall, from start to finish, Romeo and Juliet were living in the moment, being absurd and silly rather then focusing on the future and trying to work problems out effectively.
Tybalt was a adversary of Romeo and had the drift to kill him. His spleen of the situation is Romeo trying to love his coz Juliet. He approached Romeo and Mercutio looking for a fight. Tybalt and Mercutio ended up fighting and Tybalt killed Mercutio, because Tybalt did this, he deserved the death penalty for his transgression. Romeo then took revenge and killed him (3.1.70). This is a legal issue because Tybalt was going to be treated to the death penalty anyway so Romeo killing him was just like giving him the death penalty. This death is a lot different than the others because his was a legal issue and he deserved to die, the other deaths in the play like Romeo, Juliet and Mercutio decided to die for a family member that they love.