Shakespeare Dramatic Sense Of Romance And Danger

In Act 1, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet there is a dramatic sense of romance and danger. Act 1, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet is the scene of Lord Capulet's annually held feast. Capulet finds this particular feast important, as he is planning to introduce Juliet to a 'worthy suitor', Paris, at the feast. Paris is a worthy suitor as he is in power and as an ally of the Capulet family, there should be no problems.

The purpose of marriage in the society Romeo and Juliet is set in was to procreate, and to share wealth. The fact that Capulet has already found a 'worthy suitor' and that he plans to introduce him increases the danger of the scene, as Juliet is expected to marry Paris. This increases the danger as society at this time was patriarchal, meaning male-dominated, and women were viewed as being inferior. As the man was the head of the household, his word is law, and to disobey him was not allowed.

Therefore if Juliet does not agree with her father's marriage choice, she would most likely be abandoned by her father and family. Marriages were not based on love during this society, and a woman's potential partner was chosen by her father. This creates a slight sense of romance too because if Juliet refused to marry Paris, then the only reason she would have is that she loves somebody else, and that she holds love very dearly.Capulet's feast is gate-crashed in Act 1, Scene 5 by the Montague boys; who come along as guests of Mercutio.

Romeo is involved in this posse of Montague boys and their invasion on the Capulet feast. Tybalt, a Capulet, sees this intrusion as an insult as he says "What dares the slave…to fleer and scorn at out solemnity? Now by the stock and honour of my kind, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin".

Tybalt is stopped from causing a fight by Capulet as Capulet is wary of Prince's threats, and also does not want 'a mutiny among his guests', although Tybalt vows his revenge on Romeo and the Montague's. This vow of revenge not only shows us of the long Montague-Capulet feud of the past or the strong sense of family loyalty in the Elizabethan era, but creates a dramatic sense of danger in the scene and is an indication of what tragedies are to follow the Capulet feast. Tybalt is Shakespeare's main tool used to create a sense of danger and dramatic tension as his anger is not suggested, but is evident.Act 1, Scene 5 is an incredibly important part of Romeo and Juliet as it is the scene that Romeo and Juliet meet.

Romeo sees Juliet and immediately falls in love with her. This Elizabethan idea of love at first sight immediately creates a sense of incredible romance as Romeo sees Juliet as almost angel-like, just from first glance. As Romeo talks to Juliet, it is evident she is love struck too and Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Romeo kisses Juliet and this passion, lust and love creates even more romance.

The romance in this scene is heightened as before in Act 1, scene 2, Romeo is love sick for Rosaline. Romeo is plunged into deep depression as he is aware he can not have Rosaline as she is higher than him. Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, attempts to cheer Romeo up and says "compare her face with some that I shall show, and I will make thee think thy swan a crow", and this hints of things to come. The fact that Romeo was so deeply in love with Rosaline, and then that he forgets all about her in an instant because he has met Juliet, increases the sense of romance too as it shows however much he wanted Rosaline, he wants Juliet more. Us as the reader could see how much Romeo loved Rosaline, and when we compare that incredible love he had, with the love he now holds for Juliet, we can clearly see how much he adores Juliet, even though he has only just met Juliet.

The romance is also increased as Juliet leaves Paris on his own, to be with Romeo, even though Paris is a reasonably good suitor. This shows the love she has for Romeo and shows that his love is not unrequited.After Romeo and Juliet have kissed, the nurse interrupts as Juliet's mother craves a word with her. Romeo then asks the nurse who is Juliet's mother, and the nurse tells of Juliet being a Capulet. The nurse then tells Juliet of Romeo being a Montague.

Just as right before the revelation of their true identities created a huge sense of romance, this revelation instantly creates a huge sense of danger. The Montague's and Capulet's are sworn enemies, and have had a long feud for many years. This shows us that the relationship between Romeo and Juliet will not be accepted by either family, and this is a tragedy for both Romeo, and Juliet. It comes as a shock to both of them, yet neither have a doubt of their love or a single thought of ending their love affair, and this hints even more romance amongst all the danger Shakespeare creates.Act 1, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet has already shown us that violence is commonplace in Verona between Montague's and Capulet's as was signalled in the initial prologue.

This hints of the violence to come, which will take place between the two families. Earlier in Act 1, Scene 5, Tybalt vows revenge on Romeo. This provokes thoughts of danger as we know that if Tybalt finds out about Romeo and Juliet's love, then he will be even angrier and most likely cause fighting. The sense of family loyalty also increases the danger as it would be deemed extremely disloyal to fall in love with your families' enemy. This heightens the danger for Romeo and Juliet as they could be expelled from their families if they are found out.

The patriarchal Elizabethan society is yet another factor that increases danger for Juliet, as she had no social rights and is completely powerless. Now that she knows that Romeo is a Montague she is caught up in two minds over what to do - to disobey her family and be with Romeo; with a chance of getting abandoned by her family, or to leave Romeo and marry Paris; her father's chosen suitor. In the Elizabethan era, women had no social rights and were powerless, they relied on men whether it be husband or father, and this affects Juliet's choice to leave her family for Romeo.

She knows they will struggle if abandoned as they have no one to turn to, and if Romeo leaves her, then she has no way of survival. Juliet also loves her family dearly and would struggle to leave them, as would anyone. Her other choice, of leaving Romeo, is also a hard choice, as she holds love and Romeo dearly in her heart so can not leave him for somebody she does not love. This heightens romance as it shows how much she loves Romeo, that she is willing to sacrifice her family for him.

It also heightens the danger, as she knows her decision could be fatal.Before Act 1, Scene 5, the themes of violence and love have already been established. We see in the prologue the violent society that Romeo and Juliet live in and the bitter rivalry between Montague's and Capulet's. The line "From ancient grudge, breaks to new mutiny" shows us just how long this feud has been going on and gives us an insight into the hate shared by these two rivals. This suggested violent society is carried on into Act 1, Scene 1 where the younger generation of Montague's and Capulet's fight.

It also proves the new mutiny. In this scene Benvolio tries to keep the peace, yet Tybalt appears to want violence and provokes a fight between himself and Benvolio, which then causes the others to fight. This reveals to us the sort of fiery character Tybalt is, and will create a bigger sense of danger in future scenes.

This is also the scene that prince makes his threat, which is extremely important throughout the play "if you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace". This is another major factor to consider in increasing the danger as a fight is imminent if Romeo and Juliet are together, so we know someone will die. In act 1, scene 2, we find out about Juliet's proposed marriage to Paris and this is another part to add to the ever increasing danger as we know Capulet wants Juliet to marry Paris.

Act 1, Scene 3 is important as it shows us of how important Juliet thinks love is as she wants to get to know Paris first. The next scene, scene 4, slightly gives us a sense of danger and romance as we again see how love sick Romeo is for Rosaline, and he also has a premonition of bad things to come as he says "some consequences yet hanging in the stars".This tragedy is different to Shakespeare's other plays as it is a personal tragedy and is about ordinary people, instead of people in power which he usually wrote about. This play is concerned with love, and conflict and it begs the question of why Shakespeare wrote this play.

Romeo and Juliet still has an impact on the audience of the 21st century, and this is because people can relate to it. It is about ordinary people and people in love, and this not only makes it easy to relate to, but it makes people have confidence in love, and that love can conquer all.Xavier Badham, 11 Becket