Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 5 - Dramatic Effectiveness
Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 5 – Dramatically Effective?
Romeo and Juliet is widely regarded as William Shakespeare’s greatest piece of writing; one of the greatest tragedies ever written. It is a tragic love story, a story of love and hate. While there is a blooming love between the main protagonists of the play, Romeo and Juliet respectively, there is hate between the families of the two, the Capulet and Montague. One of the key ways that Romeo and Juliet became a classic is because it is dramatically effective. One of the key scenes of the play, Act 1 Scene 5 is a strong example of a scene that is dramatically effective. Also, coming into the scene there are expectations – Juliet will judge Paris; Romeo will try to cheer up and find Rosaline. To better look at the intricacies of the scene, a deeper analysis is done below.
At the start of Act 1 Scene 5 Capulet gives a rousing welcome to those who come to his party. He states with enthusiasm, “Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you. Ah, my mistresses, which of you all will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, she I’ll swear hath corns. Am I come near ye now? Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day that I have worn a visor and could tell a whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear, such as would please; ‘tis gone, ‘tis gone; ‘tis gone. You are welcome, gentlemen. Come, musicians, play.” The fact that Capulet welcomes the gentlemen three times in all shows Shakespeare’s use of repetition to emphasise the feeling of welcoming, and the associated feelings of being jovial and happy. This is particularly effective as it is in stark contrast to the start of the play which was marred by fighting. Rather, Shakespeare uses this dialogue to create a mood which differs from following scenes, and use strong literary techniques to create a dramatically effective scene.
Following Capulet’s rousing welcoming is Romeo’s speech upon seeing Juliet. In this speech
Romeo and Juliet is widely regarded as William Shakespeare’s greatest piece of writing; one of the greatest tragedies ever written. It is a tragic love story, a story of love and hate. While there is a blooming love between the main protagonists of the play, Romeo and Juliet respectively, there is hate between the families of the two, the Capulet and Montague. One of the key ways that Romeo and Juliet became a classic is because it is dramatically effective. One of the key scenes of the play, Act 1 Scene 5 is a strong example of a scene that is dramatically effective. Also, coming into the scene there are expectations – Juliet will judge Paris; Romeo will try to cheer up and find Rosaline. To better look at the intricacies of the scene, a deeper analysis is done below.
At the start of Act 1 Scene 5 Capulet gives a rousing welcome to those who come to his party. He states with enthusiasm, “Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will walk a bout with you. Ah, my mistresses, which of you all will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, she I’ll swear hath corns. Am I come near ye now? Welcome, gentlemen! I have seen the day that I have worn a visor and could tell a whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear, such as would please; ‘tis gone, ‘tis gone; ‘tis gone. You are welcome, gentlemen. Come, musicians, play.” The fact that Capulet welcomes the gentlemen three times in all shows Shakespeare’s use of repetition to emphasise the feeling of welcoming, and the associated feelings of being jovial and happy. This is particularly effective as it is in stark contrast to the start of the play which was marred by fighting. Rather, Shakespeare uses this dialogue to create a mood which differs from following scenes, and use strong literary techniques to create a dramatically effective scene.
Following Capulet’s rousing welcoming is Romeo’s speech upon seeing Juliet. In this speech