How Shakespeare Engages the Audience in Act I scene v

How Shakespeare Engages the Audience in Act I scene v

In Act I, scene v, Shakespeare alters the tone of the play into a

lighter mood. However, despite this, there is an ominous sense of fate

overshadowing the pair of star crossed lovers. Even today, the tragedy

resembles a blue print of the problems the young adolescents of the

twentieth century face each day.

Shakespeare uses a masked ball to create suspense and mystery, as this

would have engaged an Elizabethan audience. However the audience

already knows what is going to happen due to the Prologue - "Do with

their death bury their parents' strife" - but despite this knowledge

the anticipation of the events leading to the arrival of these final

tragic scenes adds excitement. Throughout the scene the threat of

violence is counteracted by the emotion of love.

The servants, Anthony and Potpan, although minor characters, play an

important part in creating a sense of anticipation before the party.

It shows the bustle and chaos of the kitchens and the chaotic

atmosphere. If performed the director may display this by the constant

moving of the servants. There is also clear tension between the First

and Second Servants due to Anthony and Potpan: "Where's Anthony and

Potpan?". This is also shown in the language techniques the First

Servant uses, which are largely questions and imperatives. This shows

that he is a bossy and hectic character: "Where's Potpan that he helps

not to take away?" and "Away with the joint stools, remove the court

cupboard". Shakespeare creates a light party mood by giving Lord

Capulet a happy, jovial mien. Capulet is very welcoming to his guests.

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...e it is to me". Elizabethan audiences were very

superstitious and even though the audience knows Romeo and Juliet are

going to die the audience would have been captivated by the way fate

worked against the pair of lovers throughout the rest of the play.

This is a very powerful scene and it is essential in engaging the

audience in the play as a whole. Romeo and Juliet's use of the sonnet

is an integral part of the scene. Its use of religious imagery and

rhyming couplets is empowering over the audience. It centres the

attention on Romeo and Juliet and isolates them from the hustle and

bustle of the party. It is an intimate scene played in a crowded room.

Shakespeare's use of antithesis throughout the play is very powerful

and creates the ominous feeling of fate within the audience in this

scene and throughout the play.