How important is Act 1 scene 5 to the play of ‘Romeo and Juliet’
William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is set in the 16th Century in Verona, Italy. The play opens with two families who are each others despicable enemies having an argument in public: the Montagues and Capulets. Act 1 Scene 5 is momentous because the argument exaggerates and involves the Duke, the Duke warns them about future arguments, fights and brawls. If anything or anyone provoked either side, they would be banished or put to death. The Capulet family plan a great ball in which they invite all respected upper class residents. Here the audience see Romeo Montague meet Juliet Capulet for the first time. Romeo and his friends decide to gatecrash the Capulet’s ball because they consider that the restrictions placed on them by the Duke were merely the Capulet’s fault. Act 1 Scene 5 is significant because Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time and they fall in love, this is obviously causing a big problem between the Montagues and Capulets as they are loathed enemies and are involved in a century old feud.
Act 1 scene 5 takes place in the Capulet household. The addressees will encounter new characters such as the nurse; the audience acknowledge the fact that she is against the feud and the Capulet ideas, due to the fact that they treat Juliet as their property and not their daughter. Lord Capulet is introduced; the audience recognize that he is a really pleasant man because he makes fun of his own age, although he thinks women’s role is just to please the guests “Ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will have a bout with you”. He stops Tybalt from provoking Romeo into a brawl at the party and does not make a scene. Even though the man to the house Lord Capulet seems a pleasant man, he seems to be performing an act in front of the guests just to protect his manifestation and reputation.
In this scene you can tell that Tybalt hates Romeo so much that he is prepared to kill...