The Dramatic Effect of Act One Scene Five of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

1243 Words3 Pages

The Dramatic Effect of Act One Scene Five of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

In this essay I will explain how Act 1, Scene 5 is dramatically

effective. Act 1, Scene 5 is the most important scene in the play

because it is the scene where Romeo and Juliet first meet.

This play is essentially about two families that are enemies, The

Capulet’s and the Montague’s, Juliet is the daughter of Capulet and

Romeo son of Montague during the play they fall in love. Right from

the beginning the prologue tells us this play is a tragedy. We also

know Act 1, Scene 5 is dramatically effective because we are told when

Romeo and Juliet meet they will become:

‘Star crossed lovers’

We know it is doomed love because it also says:

‘Take their life’

‘Death-marked love’

The drama is built up before Romeo and Juliet meet. Romeo is keeping

to himself and prefers night to day. He is already in love with

someone else. Rosaline but she doesn’t feel the same. It is shown in

this quotation:

‘Well in hit you miss: She’ll not be hit with cupid’s arrow’

The audience is told that Paris wants to marry Juliet but her father

disagrees because he feels she is too young, however he invites Paris

to the party to win Juliet’s heart. This is shown by Capulet saying:

‘But woo her gentle Paris, get her heart,’

When Juliet is asked about marriage by Lady Capulet she feels

differently:

‘It is a honour that I dream not of.’

One of the ways Shakespeare makes this scene dramatically effective is

by making Romeo discover Rosaline has been invited to the Capulet

party. Benvolio urges Romeo to go and they decide to gatecrash the

party. ...

... middle of paper ...

...s as Juliet asks the name of two

other men before asking for Romeo’s. The audience feel they are being

played by this story unfolding, and are very effective dramatically.

There is dramatic irony as the nurse goes to find out Romeo’s name

Juliet says:

‘If he be married.’

The audience know that love can lead to marriage and that can

consequence in death for Juliet.

Juliet has a dramatic reaction when she finds out Romeo is a Montague:

‘My only love sprung form my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and

known too late!’

Juliet has fallen in love with Romeo an enemy of her father. There is

Dramatic irony that underlines the dramatic effect of the whole scene.

In this essay I have clearly shown the different ways in which

Shakespeare has made Act 1, Scene 5 dramatically effective throughout

the play.

Open Document