Why is Act 1 Scene 5 an effective piece of drama Essays

Why is Act 1 Scene 5 an effective piece of drama Essays Why is Act 1 Scene 5 an effective piece of drama Essay Why is Act 1 Scene 5 an effective piece of drama Essay The purpose of this coursework is to analyse one of the most famous and moving scenes in William Shakespeares playwrights and for sure the most emotional one in Romeo and Juliet.I will start to give some background information about the play and the social and historical context, afterwards I will continue and try to reflect on the characters, structure and language.It is always important to take into consideration that Shakespeare was a practical theatre writer having in mind the real Globe Theatre in Bankside.The evidence suggests that it was a three-story, open-air amphitheatre that could house around 3,000 spectators. The cheapest tickets cost one penny and were in the yard, this was in front of the stage. The balcony housed the musicians and could also be used for scenes requiring an upper space, such as the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.The difference between the theatres today and the special quality was apart from the buildings the proximity from the audience and the ac tors.Everyone was allowed to see Shakespeares plays and people liked to see the world of rich families combined with a drama.The play starts with a prologue where the audience finds the storyline out. The show plays in the Italian city of Verona, where two rich families with their whole household are living. The Capulets and Montagues. These two families are for ages in a feud, none knows exactly when and why this started. This feud ranges from the Lord to the most gentry servant from each household. They like to argue and fight with the hated family.The daughters from such rich families live very protected, they have no close relationship with their parents. The nurse is their closest person, before they get married. Girls never meet people at the same age. The only opportunity to meet many people are the parties their father give. Like Lord Capulet does in this special scene.The first reason for this party is to introduce Juliet to Paris the man he has choosen to be her husband. The marriages are always arranged by their father and the girls are not allowed to choose a husband by themselves (on their own).Another reason is to show everyone in which wealth they live and how hospitable they could be.The scene begins with servants starting with preparations for the big party. In fact they have always prepared everything, but were not allowed to come to this event. The serving men are using everyday language and short sentences sense of preparing. E.g. Wheres Potpan, that he helps not to take away?The first serving man pleases another serving man, to save a piece of marchpane for him. This shows that these people could just dream about the food, which is served on the party.The same serving man tells the others that they should come to the great chamber. How should we work here and there, is the question from another serving man.Capulet enters to meet his guests. He welcomes them with a repetition of welcome showing that the host is very hospitable, friendly and relaxed. Capulet would like that everyone enjoys himself. The first impression is positive.Capulet talks with his cousin about their youth. How long ist now since last yourself and I were in a mask? People get in mask to the party like it was in Shakespeares time. This is a kind of enjoying, fun and mystery. This chat between Capulet and his cousin shows the audience that they are close family members and like each other.In the meantime Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and asks a serving man, who she is he does not know.Romeo is fascinated by her beauty and starts to speak about her in sonnet form. This is a sign of love, in Shakespeares dramas. He speaks from Juliet as burn bright, what says that Juliet is a girl of lightness and brightness. Beauty too rich for use for earth too dear! Romeo means that Juliet is somehow too good for this world. And he realises that he never felt real love before he met Juliet Did my heart love till now? For Romeo Juliet has a magic char isma.This reaction makes the audience sceptical, but then they remember the prologue and are interested to find out what will come next.And also after hearing the everyday language spoken by the servants in the beginning and the relaxed wording of Capulet these sayings are magical and they start to take Romeo seriously because he talks of her as his deep love.The audience is transported in a world of love Romeo lives in a world of peace and beauty, but the worlds danger and trueness is close, too close.Tybalt recognises Romeo and wants to take his rapier. You are reminded of the conflict and the peace moment is gone.The language Tybalt uses takes the audience back to the danger situation To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.His uncle, Capulet tries to calm him down. He stays relaxed in the beginning and talks well of Romeo, because he wants the party to follow and the audience to feel that nothing bad is going to happen.But Tybalt does not want to keep the peace, he feels stron gly about being evil to Romeo It fits, when such a villain is a guest.Capulet gets angry, shows who has the saying and how he could be.You can now see the true side of his character, that Capulet is a dictator, he replies to show that he would not listen to what Tybalt says. Capulet sends Tybalt away.Tybalt says I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall that he will take revenge and so the audience gets unconvertible looking to the future.Romeo and Juliet speak and kiss for the first time.They speak in sonnet form what shows the audience that it is a traditional love poem. Romeo says that Juliet is a holy shrine in this time people were very religious, so they talk about each other in a divine language. The repetition of pilgrims reflects the love they feel for each other.The language is soft and flows smoothly, just endlessly beautiful. This part of the scene ends with a kiss the audience reacts shocked, because they realise the danger of the situation.Juliets nurse comes and tells her, that her mother would like to see her, this brings everyone back into reality.Juliet goes and Romeo asks the nurse, who her mother is. The audience would like to protect him from the truth, but it is too late he finds out that Juliet is the daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet. He says O dear account! My life is my foes debt -the danger remains and is the start of the dramatic ending.Capulet makes the party an end and the guests leave. Juliet finds out that Romeo is a Montague. She speaks with opposites My grave is like to be my wedding bed and My only love sprung from my only hate a prophecy for the further scene which ends with a pessimistic note. The audience realises that nothing good will happen and that two such young people will die, because of their true love.Shakespeare structured the scene in eight parts, depending on emotion and plot. This is the only scene in the whole play which contains so many different emotions and changes so fast from hate to love from peace to revenge. Also this is probably the most important scene, because it covers everything what is necessary to continue the plot.After the end of the scene you know exactly what will happen and you get an insight into the main characters.