Shakespeare's Development of the Themes of Love and Hate in Act One Scene Five of Romeo and Juliet

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Shakespeare's Development of the Themes of Love and Hate in Act One Scene Five of Romeo and Juliet

In Act One, Scene 5, Shakespeare uses both language and structure to

show the themes of love and hate. These two themes are made clear

before this scene. The play begins with a 'prologue'; a sonnet where

the plays key themes are introduced, this sonnet shows both love ("A

pair of star-crossed lovers") and hate ("from ancient grudge break to

new mutiny"). So even before the play starts, these two themes are

presented to the audience. In the dramatic opening scene there is a

mass brawl between the two families the Montague's and the Capulet's.

The prince gives a warning to the families

("If ever you disturb our streets again

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

…on pain of death, all men depart"). As you can see this part of the

scene is showing the hate between the two families.

In contrast Romeo has very strong feelings towards Rosaline, you could

say he is "love sick". His description of her is ("She'll not be hit

with Cupid's arrow"). This part shows the love between Romeo and

Rosaline.

The theme of love is also presented before Act One, Scene 5 when Paris

proposes marriage to Juliet and the later discussion of marriage

between the Nurse, Lady Capulet and Juliet.

Shakespeare uses language to develop the themes of love and hate in

Act One, Scene 5. The language he uses is very different. Firstly

Romeo's love is made clear when he expresses his feelings of love and

wonder at Juliet's beauty.

("O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright…

…For I never saw true beauty till this night."). This means she

teaches the torches to burn bright and I've never seen such beauty

till tonight. This sequence of metaphorical comparisons express both

Juliet's and Romeo's instant devotion to her. Also used in the

language is iambic pentameter.

In contrast to Romeo's reaction when he sees Juliet, Tybalt's reaction

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