The Dramatic Effects of Act 1 Scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The Dramatic Effects of Act 1 Scene 5 of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

There are many components of Shakespeare’s classic, ‘Romeo and

Juliet’, which mainly consist of love, hate and honour. This is the

story of the incessant love of two young people, which crosses the

borders of family and convention. It encompasses love, hate and tons

of emotion, tragically ending with the harsh reality of death.

There are many imperative events leading up to act 1, scene 5, and

various other events that take place in this specific scene. Possibly

the most important and the utmost obvious fact that the audience

discern about is about the two families, The Capulets and The

Montagues. Shakespeare describes these families as ‘both alike in

dignity’, who are both fighting for their family honour.

We know that this conflict had become so transmittable that even the

servants of the households have become physically involved. The most

astonishing fact is that the two families had been at a feud for so

long (Shakespeare describes this as ancient) that don’t even know what

they are fighting about. The severity of this feud was unstoppable,

cursing Verona with a plague of corpses.

In the opening of the scene, the atmosphere is pleasant and this is

where Lord Capulet gives his speech. The Capulet household is occupied

this night prior a masked ball. He opens this gathering with an

authoritative speech, mainly intended to show his capability.

Shakespeare makes this play very deep and detailed, with expansive use

of Juxtaposition such as life and death. Another character that the

audience learn of is Paris, a young nobleman, who is also kinsman...

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...s hand and engages

into conversation. He says: ‘If I profane...’ to ‘...holy palmers

kiss’. He says that his hand is unworthy compared to hers and he is

generally asking her for a kiss. She accepts the offer and they have a

kiss. He asks again and she kisses him a second time.

She also praises him for his unique kissing talents baring in mind

that a kiss then would have been a sin in them days and is not as seen

to in modern times. In that type of social life, a kiss was more

significant and she is also one of the most popular person’s daughter

so it is going to ruin their reputation. Romeo and Juliet also use a

vast range of religious language such as palmers, sin, and pilgrim ETC

this shows that their kiss was not just a one-off, however it was deep

and passionate and almost a religious experience to both of them.