Directing the Party Scene of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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Directing the Party Scene of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Throughout the scene there are social, historic and cultural influences. The social side of the scene is the party where there is a certain code of behaviour. Social etiquette dictated that the male would address the woman in a polite and civil way because there were at a masked party, which at that time was seen as socially acceptable. The historical influences are shown in the scene because of the two feuding families. At that time this was not uncommon and would last for a considerable time. Culturally it was customary for people who attend a party uninvited to perform a dance by way of introduction. It was not unusual for the bride to be significantly younger and therefore Romeo was suitable for Juliet although there was a large age gap between the two. Music should be melodious, romantic and dreamy allowing Romeo and Juliet to seem separated from the rest. The themes of love hate and fate are captured throughout this scene. The theme of love is shown in the scene because both lovers are foes yet they ignore all the hate between their two families and choose one another love for each other. Hate is shown in the scene when Tybalt has been cautioned by Capulet to withdraw from fighting Romeo, and then Tybalt is unhappy with this and swears revenge on the Montague house. Fate is shown in the play during our soliloquy and other places in this scene where there are clues to what is going to happen to the couple. This happens when Juliet finds out Romeo is a Montague and says 'My grave is like to be my wedding bed.

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