Importance of Act 1 Scence 5 in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

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Importance of Act 1 Scence 5 in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Act 1 scene 5 is an important scene in the play. In this essay I am going to discuss how and why this is by referring to the drama, Shakespeare's use of language and how this scene fits into the rest of the play. I have chosen Act 3 scene 5 for my subsequent scene for which I will repeat the above process. The previous scene concluded with Romeo's curious premonition. Romeo seems to foresee his own death here "Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, Shall bitterly begin his fearful date" (line 108) Romeo believes that he has mortgaged his life in return for love. It is written in the stars that events during the following night will lead to his being asked to repay this debt with his life. He calls upon the one that "hath the steerage" of his "course" - he who guides the path of his life - to direct him safely. The sea is often used by Shakespeare as a symbol of the powerful and unpredictable forces of fate. The audience already know that Romeo's tragic fate is fixed, for he is "star-crossed". This scene ends with a sense of foreboding but Shakespeare uses the opening of Act 1 scene 5 to relieve the tension. The last scene ended on a gloomy and threatening note with Romeo having a premonition of his death. Before this scene begins we know that Romeo is totally obsessed by his love for Rosaline, his parents and friends are extremely worried because he will not speak of it, he is constantly pondering his 'misery' and thinking himself the most tragic figure, he is apparently keeping well away from the feuding between the Montagues and Capulets, he is deeply... ... middle of paper ... ... - if the two families would just accept each other as they are rather than as enemies, then the feud would disappear. Sometimes it is difficult to decide whether the play is more about the nature of hate than the nature of love, more concerned with death and darkness than with life and light. Juliet feels, like Romeo that love is once and forever, and they both fear the consequences of their love, but without any thought of changing their minds or hearts. The nurse asks Juliet what she is saying, and Juliet lies, saying that it's just a rhyme she heard from a dance partner "A rhyme I learned even now, Of one I danced withal" (line 142). Someone calls for Juliet, and she and the nurse hurry away, ending the scene on a point of high tension, and leaving the audience pondering the events which they know the future holds.

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