The Dramatic Effect of Act One Scene Five of William Shakespeares Rome

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. ... ...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.